Relating My Journey to Holistic Nurse Certification

Being a registered nurse has always brought me tremendous satisfaction. So, it was a relatively simple transition for me to find myself captivated by the prospect of becoming a holistic nurse, acquiring the necessary skills to deliver all-inclusive health care services to my patients. Owing to their multifaceted role, holistic nurses are occasionally called complementary health nurses.

Just like Florence Nightingale, who is widely acknowledged for her role in founding holistic nursing in the early years of the last century, complete patient care extends beyond merely treating the patient’s symptoms or ailments.

Indeed, comprehending a patient’s personal life can offer crucial understanding into a pre-existing medical situation and aid in treating and averting the return of the sickness or health issue. This is primarily because a patient’s lifestyle can substantially affect their health status.

In my role as a holistic nurse, I am driven mainly by the concept of caring for a patient’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Consequently, I decided to pursue a holistic nurse certification to enhance my professional abilities and authenticate my qualifications in holistic nursing – an experience I’m excited to share.

Understanding Holistic Nursing

Holistic nursing essentially centers on addressing a patient’s diverse health requirements and the interconnectedness of their body, mind, and spirit.

The task of a holistic nurse is to deliver personalized health care and nurture an individual’s overall wellness. Here, the attention on patient care goes beyond the typical symptoms presented by the patient.

My Path to Holistic Nurse Certification

I had already been working as a registered nurse and acquired the needed experience before I decided to expand my expertise to become a holistic nurse. It’s worth noting, I had to accumulate a certain number of working hours before I could apply for holistic nursing.

My ambition in training as a holistic nurse was to allow me to incorporate a wider array of effective treatment strategies, including alternative medicine like aromatherapy, to bolster patient care.

While different from a professional license, my holistic nurse certification formally affirms that I have the necessary professional skills and qualifications to work as a holistic nurse.

In particular, I received my certification from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) – the organization in charge of the certification process for registered nurses aspiring to practice as holistic nurses.

Advantages of My Holistic Nurse Certification

#1. Quality assurance: My certification demonstrates my dedication to providing patients with top-tier healthcare services. Holistic nurses are trained to depend solely on scientifically grounded treatment principles and the most recent patient care standards derived from Western and Eastern medical practices.

#2. It allows for the broadening of patient care from simply treating one specific illness or symptom to caring for the patient’s overall wellness. Holistic patient care aims to enhance the entire body’s wellness.

#3. It also signifies my pledge to uphold myself to superior standards of professional behavior.

#4. My certification formally verifies that I have the skills and competencies to work as a holistic nurse.

#5. It also serves as a foundation for any further career development I may pursue in the future.

#6. It is a career milestone that connects me with other professionals working as holistic nurses.

#7. My certification bolsters my professional credibility among patients, potential employers, and colleagues. For instance, the American Holistic Nurses Certification has helped distinguish me from other candidates during job searches.

Examples of The Treatment Techniques I Employ As A Holistic Nurse

Here are some of the treatment techniques I’m trained to use as a holistic nurse to enhance patient care:

• Stress management for patients
• Suggesting suitable breathing exercises
• Hypnotherapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Network spinal analysis
• Wellness coaching
• Craniosacral therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Reflexology
• Nutritional advice
• Herbal therapy
• Exercise plans
• Biofeedback

Prerequisites For Holistic Nurse Certification

To obtain my certification, I had to enroll and complete a BSN diploma or degree program or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Once I obtained my BSN or ADN, I was ready to take and pass my state’s NCLEX-RN exam to qualify as a registered nurse.

With my license to practice as a registered nurse, I applied for certification from the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation (AHNCC). However, I had to undertake a qualitative and quantitative test prior to applying for the certification.

After successfully passing the exams, I was able to receive the following certifications from AHNCC to practice as a holistic nurse:

• Advanced Practice for Holistic Nurse Board’s Certification (APHN-BC)
• Holistic Nurse for the Baccalaureate Board’s Certification (HNB-BC)
• Standard Holistic for Nurse Certification (HN-BC)

Further Education And Professional Practice

With the medical industry, including the field of holistic nursing, continually progressing, I plan to keep expanding my skills and knowledge.

To renew my professional license, I need to complete a certain number of CEU working hours. It’s crucial to regularly check with the state’s board for the requirements needed before renewing my license, as these can often change.

The Skills I Needed To Become A Holistic Nurse

Generally, I found the following skills to be particularly useful when pursuing a career in holistic nursing:

• Empathy to better understand the patient’s needs.
• Listening and communication skills
• Integrity and the capacity to take responsibility for my actions
• Mindfulness
• Problem-solving skills, and
• Attention to detail

If you want to fully prepare for your holistic nurse certification, you can enroll in online training at the Nurse Coach Collective, specifically designed for nurses. They offer professional continuing education for nurses to help you attain your Holistic Nursing Certification.

With their assistance, you could soon qualify to practice as a competent certified holistic nurse. Apply today!