How to Pursue a Holistic Nursing Career
We show you how to enter this rewarding and unique field and what you need under your belt to apply.
Are you passionate about helping others and believe in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit? If so, a career in holistic nursing offers a unique and fulfilling path in the healthcare sector. Because this area of nursing emphasizes self-care and the importance of self-reflection and stress reduction, it can even help prevent burnout and promote your own well-being as you care for others.
The demand for nursing professionals in this field continues to grow as more people recognize the value of holistic and alternative approaches. This demand presents you with numerous career opportunities in various settings, such as clinics, wellness centers, integrative medical practices, and community health programs. Read on to discover what a holistic nurse does, how to break into this field, and where to find all the best jobs.
What is Holistic Nursing?
Holistic nursing is an approach to healthcare that recognizes and addresses the connection of the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. It goes beyond treating symptoms and focuses on enhancing overall well-being.
This type of care integrates conventional and complementary therapies, encourages health promotion and disease prevention, and creates a healing environment. It also emphasizes building a trusting and compassionate nurse-patient relationship, where patients actively participate in their own healing process. This promotes better communication, patient satisfaction, and a sense of empowerment.
What is Holistic Care in Nursing?
Holistic care in nursing addresses physical pain while also considering emotional and spiritual aspects. Nurses typically use a combination of conventional pain medications and complementary therapies to enhance healing, relaxation, and overall well-being.
Some examples of holistic care therapies and techniques include:
- massage therapy
- acupuncture
- aromatherapy
- music therapy
- meditation
- breathing exercises
- herbal remedies
- stress management
- nutritional counseling
What Does a Holistic Nurse Do?
A holistic nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who takes an integrative approach to patient care. In this role, you'll typically do the following:
- Conduct thorough assessments that go beyond physical symptoms. You'll gather information about your patients' emotional states, social support, lifestyle, and beliefs to understand their overall health context.
- Develop individualized care plans that address each patient's specific needs and goals. You'll consider various interventions, including conventional treatments, complementary therapies, and lifestyle modifications.
- Provide information and resources to help your patients understand their health conditions, treatment options, self-care practices, and preventive measures. You'll empower your patients to actively participate in their own care.
- Recognize the emotional impact of health issues on your patients and provide emotional support. You'll create a safe and compassionate environment, actively listen to patient's concerns, and offer counseling or refer patients to mental health professionals when needed.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care. You'll communicate and coordinate with physicians, therapists, social workers, and complementary practitioners to meet the diverse needs of your patients.
- Emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. You'll educate patients about healthy lifestyle choices, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and self-care practices.
How to Become a Holistic Nurse
The specific requirements to become a holistic nurse may vary depending on your location and the healthcare system in which you work. However, these are the general steps to take:
Obtain a Nursing Degree
Start by completing a nursing program and obtaining a nursing degree. You can choose between an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program. BSN programs often provide a more comprehensive education that aligns well with holistic principles.
Obtain Licensure
After completing your nursing program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). The specific requirements for licensure can vary depending on the country or state in which you plan to practice.
Gain Clinical Experience
Before becoming a holistic registered nurse, you need to gain at least one year’s experience working in various healthcare settings that support holistic health initiatives. This work experience will help you develop essential nursing skills and a solid foundation in conventional nursing practices.
Earn Your Certification
Consider obtaining certification to demonstrate your specialized knowledge and expertise. Organizations such as the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) offer certifications such as the Holistic Nursing Certification (HNC) or Advanced Holistic Nursing Certification (AHN-BC). Keep in mind that some employers may prefer or require this certification.
How to Become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner
A holistic nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse, so you’ll need additional education and training to apply for this position. After you become a registered nurse and acquire a few years of clinical experience, you’ll have to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN.) Then you can obtain certification as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in your chosen specialty area and apply for an NP license.
How Much Can You Make as a Holistic Nurse?
The median pay for a registered nurse, a similar role, is $78,420 per year. Nurse practitioners make significantly more at $123,904 per year. However, your pay varies depending on your employer, experience, and education level.
Your holistic nurse salary also depends on where you live. Use Monster's Salary Tool to determine how much you can make as a nurse in your area. You'll also see salaries for similar jobs, plus the skills you'll need to advance your career.
How To Find Holistic Nursing Jobs
Now that we've shown you how to get into holistic nursing, you can start exploring jobs. But before you apply, make sure you've updated your nurse resume along with a nursing cover letter showing your passion and motivation for choosing your career as a holistic nurse. Then start searching for nursing jobs on Monster.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the top five states with the highest employment level of registered nurses are:
The top five metro areas with high demand for nurses are:
Find Your Holistic Nursing Career Right Here on Monster
Take the next step in your rewarding career journey as a holistic nurse. Create a free profile on Monster and discover plenty of opportunities in nursing to suit your skills, interests, and goals. Upload your resume so recruiters can find you online. Plus, we'll send you customized job alerts to match you with the right healthcare employer.