Holistic Nurse Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming a Holistic Nurse

Holistic nurses have special training that allows them to focus on an individual patient’s healthcare goals. Aside from a patient’s physical well being, holistic nurses provide individualistic relief by treating a patient’s mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Holistic nursing incorporates methods of patient care derived from several different medical health practices. Like any registered nurse (RN), a holistic nurse’s primary objective is to heal the patient. However, holistic nurses use non-traditional methods to treat patients, and consider patients’ physical, mental, and spiritual health in their treatment plans. Treatment methods extend beyond the use of generic medications to include Chinese and Ayurvedic medical techniques. This multi-faceted healthcare approach can incorporate:

Holistic nurses strive to heal all aspects of the mind, body and soul to encourage complete wellness. They consider the patients’ physical health and spiritual beliefs, expectations and desires. Typical RNs might provide a patient with a list of medications to take or avoid before surgery, but a holistic nurse might also suggest a nutrition supplement to take to increase strength. Holistic nurses can provide spiritual support and teach relaxation techniques. A holistic nurse might suggest the patient listen to music during surgery or wake up to aromatherapy post-operation.

 

Holistic nurse jobs are demanding but rewarding. Holistic nurses often care for their patients tirelessly. They also offer encouragement and support to patients’ families. Holistic nurses, especially holistic nurse practitioners, have the opportunity to provide exceptional care that stems from a training that typical nurses do not receive. Holistic nurses also believe their own physical, spiritual, mental and emotional needs must be met in order to care for their patients' well-being.

Location affects a holistic nurse’s salary just as much as experience level. The median annual salary for holistic nurses in the United States is about $57,000. Certifications and experience lead to career advancements and higher salaries. Holistic nurse practitioners earn approximately $75,000 a year, but again, this can vary greatly depending on experience and location.

Holistic nurses are specially trained RNs. To become a holistic nurse, you must have a bachelor's degree, which does not have to be in nursing (though it is recommended). Nursing programs will give you the opportunity to work with fully licensed doctors and nurses. You will able to take clinicals, which will allow you to explore the different hospital settings and work with many different patients and get a feel for the area in which you are most comfortable.

 

After completing your training, you will need to become an RN. While working as an RN, you can take courses in holistic nursing and gain experience in the field. Experience can be accomplished by working in a holistic nursing clinic. After you have become an RN, you must become certified as a holistic nurse through the American Holistic Nurses Association.

Part-time hospital work as a nurse's assistant while in high school and college can help you decide whether the nursing field is right for you. If you are considering becoming a holistic nurse practitioner, you may want to consider a job in alternative medicine or in massage therapy. A few years as an RN, to show you have the ability to work with patients in a caring, knowledgeable manner, is also required before becoming a holistic nurse.

After a few years of working as a holistic nurse, you will likely take on more responsibilities, whether that means becoming a shift manager or owning your own practice. A master's degree for nurse practitioners can lead to more job opportunities, including a career as a holistic nurse practitioner. Holistic nurse practitioners have more experience, credentials and responsibilities than traditional holistic nurses. Some holistic nurse practitioners own their own practices, which allows them to create their own treatment plans for patients.