A holistic nurse practitioner specializes in treating patients using a whole-person approach that looks at the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, and environmental aspects that affect health and wellness. As integrative medicine and patient-centered care become more popular, there is growing demand for holistic nurse practitioners. This guide covers everything you need to know about the career, education requirements, finding accredited training programs, getting licensed, and building your career as a holistic nurse practitioner.

What is Holistic Nursing?

Holistic nursing is a specialty practice that goes beyond just treating symptoms to nurture the whole patient. The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) defines it as, “All nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal.”

Key holistic nursing principles include:

  • Treating the root cause of illness, not just symptoms
  • Focusing on prevention and health education
  • Addressing a patient’s lifestyle and wellness needs
  • Considering the physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental aspects that affect health

The goal of holistic nursing is to help each patient achieve optimal health, quality of life, and self-actualization.

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How Holistic Nursing Differs from Conventional Western Medicine

Conventional Western medicine often focuses on treating a disease or body part, whereas holistic nursing looks at the complete picture of a person including their:

  • Relationships
  • Mental state
  • Emotions
  • Lifestyle
  • Environment
  • Spiritual needs

Rather than just treating a disease, a holistic nurse aims to get to know their patient deeply as a whole person made up of interconnected facets. They spend more time understanding a patient’s history and needs. A holistic nurse practitioner may use both conventional and alternative interventions—from medications to herbal remedies to meditation—depending on the patient’s needs and preferences.

Why Holistic Nursing is Increasingly in Demand

Patients today are looking for more integrative solutions that treat the whole person. Reasons for the growing interest include:

  • Preventative approach: More focus is put on staying healthy instead of waiting until illness strikes. Education on nutrition, exercise, stress relief and topics that support wellbeing and the body’s natural healing capacity.
  • Individualized care: Treatments are tailored to each patient’s needs versus a one-size-fits-all approach. More time is spent finding therapies that work for each patient.
  • Desire for self-care options: People want to actively participate in their healthcare with complementary self-care therapies like meditation, yoga, dietary changes and supplements.
  • Side effects of medications: Medications can come with short and long term side-effects. Holistic options are focused on supporting the body’s natural ability to thrive.
  • Mind-body-spirit connection: Research shows the undeniable connectedness of the mind, body and spirit. Holistic approaches nurture all facets.

Holistic Nurse Practitioner Job Duties and Work Settings

What Does a Holistic Nurse Practitioner Do?

A holistic nurse practitioner meets frequently with patients to assess their complete health picture. Their duties include:

  • Patient intake interviews: Spend 1+ hours getting to know new patients and understanding their full medical history, family history, lifestyle, challenges, needs, goals and more.
  • Ongoing assessments: Use both conventional exams and alternative techniques to regularly assess patients from a whole-person lens. Track progress towards health goals.
  • Diagnosing conditions: Identify acute and chronic disease diagnoses. Also assess lifestyle, relationships and other areas to uncover root causes of illness.
  • Develop treatment plans: Create integrative plans that combine traditional nursing interventions with alternative therapies personalized to each patient. Plans focus on prevention and wellness.
  • Provide treatments: Administer treatments ranging from medications to herbal remedies to therapies like acupuncture, meditation and dietary changes.
  • Educate patients: Teach patients proactive self-care so they can take charge of improving their health. Topics may include nutrition, managing stress, proper movement, environmental toxin reduction, techniques for mental/emotional health and more.
  • Follow up and monitor progress: Check in regularly with patients to see how they are responding to treatments and measure outcomes towards optimal wellbeing. Adjust plans as needed.

Where Do Holistic Nurse Practitioners Work?

Holistic nurse practitioners work in diverse settings including:

  • Private holistic health clinics
  • Integrative clinics within hospitals/health systems
  • Wellness centers
  • Long term care facilities
  • Spas, resorts and retreat centers
  • Educational institutions
  • Private client homes
  • Their own nurse practitioner practice

According to surveys by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), over 40% of holistic nurse practitioners work in a physician’s office or private clinic setting. About 25% work in a hospital or medical center. Many also choose a work-life balance of part-time at a healthcare facility along with a private practice seeing clients.

Salary and Job Outlook for Holistic Nurse Practitioners

The average base salary for nurse practitioners nationally is $125,440 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Holistic nurse practitioners typically earn salaries on par or higher. Those with additional certifications or experience can earn over $150,000 base salary.

Employment for nurse practitioners overall is projected to grow 45% during 2020-2030–significantly faster than other healthcare occupations. There is especially strong demand forecasted for nurse practitioners with training in complementary therapies and whole-person care approaches.

Why Become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner?

Individuals pursuing this career path are motivated by the desire to:

  • Take a more proactive, integrative approach aligned with their view of health and healing
  • Build meaningful relationships with patients over many years
  • Educate and empower patients to improve their own health
  • Have the flexibility of their own practice and autonomy over the therapies they can provide
  • Help transform healthcare to a more holistic wellness model

Many current holistic nurse practitioners describe the career as incredibly rewarding. They get to spend quality time with patients while providing education and therapies to help them truly thrive in sustainable ways.

Education Needed to Become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner

To become licensed as a nurse practitioner, you first need extensive training including:

Step 1. Complete a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school is the first requirement on the path to becoming a nurse practitioner. BSN coursework includes classes like:

  • Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Psychology
  • Ethics
  • Nutrition
  • Nursing skills and interventions
  • Physical assessment
  • Nursing research principles

Clinical rotations in the BSN program allow students to apply knowledge while directly working with patients.

The BSN typically takes 4 years full-time to complete. Accelerated BSN programs for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject take about 16-24 months.

Step 2. Gain Registered Nursing (RN) Licensure

After earning the BSN, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed RN.

Clinical experience working as an RN is highly valued before applying for nurse practitioner school. Most programs require applicants to have 1-2 years RN work experience.

Step 3. Complete a Graduate Degree as a Nurse Practitioner

To advance your career as a nurse practitioner, you must complete a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). While the MSN can be completed faster, the DNP is becoming the preferred advanced practice degree.

Holistic nurse practitioner concentrations are offered in MSN and DNP programs at many universities. Typical holistic coursework includes:

  • Principles of holistic philosophy
  • Complementary therapies
  • Herbal medicine
  • Integrative nutrition
  • Mind-body connection
  • Stress management techniques
  • Applied psychoneuroimmunology
  • Therapeutic use of essential oils and herbs
  • Health coaching skills

Both MSN and DNP programs include over 500 supervised clinical practice hours working directly with patients. Programs take 2-3 years to complete full time or longer for part-time students.

Finding Accredited Holistic Nursing Schools and Programs

When researching schools, look for holistic nursing concentrations within these accredited nurse practitioner programs:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Post-graduate nurse practitioner certificate programs

Ideally find one accredited by either:

  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

These accrediting bodies enforce quality standards for graduate nursing education, curricula and outcomes.

Examples of Top-Rated Accredited Programs for Holistic Nurse Practitioners

When researching schools, look at their specific concentrations and course plan to confirm it aligns with your goals for holistic nursing practice. Reaching out to current students and instructors for insight can also be very helpful.

Getting Licensed as a Holistic Nurse Practitioner

After completing an accredited graduate-level nurse practitioner program and clocking hundreds of supervised clinical practice hours, you will earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Prior to being able to practice, nurse practitioners must meet licensing requirements which vary somewhat state-by-state. Steps include:

1. Pass National Certification Exams

All candidates must pass national certification exams like those offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners to demonstrate competency across topics like diagnosis, assessment, ordering and interpreting lab tests, prescribing therapies and more.

Holistic nurse practitioners commonly pursue dual certification in:

Dual certification expands career and practice opportunities.

2. Apply for APRN Licensure

With national certification passed, apply through your state board of nursing for Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontology NP.

Requirements beyond credentials verification include passing background checks, paying licensing fees, providing malpractice insurance info, and possibly completing a state jurisprudence exam.

3. Maintain Licensure Through Continuing Education

To keep your APRN license current in most states, you must complete a certain number of continuing education hours related to holistic nursing topics every 1-2 years. Continuing ed allows nurse practitioners to stay up to date on the latest clinical guidelines, patient care standards and emerging therapies.

Building Your Holistic Nursing Career

Once licensed, you’ll be equipped with comprehensive training to start your career improving patient’s lives through holistic nursing. Next steps may include:

  • Apply for holistic nurse practitioner job openings at hospitals, clinics and private practices
  • Enroll in post-grad training programs like integrative health coaching to expand your skillset
  • Teach holistic nursing principles to BSN students as an academic instructor
  • Present continuing ed seminars on complementary therapies to healthcare providers
  • Volunteer with non-profits doing medical missions overseas
  • Launch a concierge holistic nurse practitioner practice seeing private clients
  • Open a holistic clinic, medi-spa or retreat center

Many nurse practitioners choose to slowly transition to full clinical autonomy by starting their career under a collaborating or supervising physician. Over time as states continue expanding nurse practitioner scope of practice rights allowing them to operate independently, you’ll be well-prepared to open your own practice.

Throughout your career, pursue holistic nursing training opportunities through the AHNA, conferences like the International Conference on Complementary Medicine and integrative care sites like UCLA Center for Health Sciences. Stay tuned into emerging trends in functional & integrative nutrition, herbal therapies, mindfulness programs and new modalities that support healing.

The demand for nurse practitioners with holistic nursing training continues rising as healthcare shifts from just managing illness towards nurturing whole patient health. If you’re drawn toward relationship-centered care, patient advocacy and integrating both traditional and complementary modalities, becoming a holistic nurse practitioner can be an incredibly meaningful way to make an impact. Follow the steps covered in this guide to complete the necessary education, licensure requirements and ongoing training to start practicing within the exciting field of integrative care.

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