How To Become A Holistic Nurse: Career Overview

How long to become: 2-4 years Job outlook (2024-2034): 5% growth Annual salary: $93,600

Holistic nursing treats health as the interrelation of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental components, and cares for patients at every level. An ADN or BSN is required, and certification is optional.

The work usually involves encouraging patients to discuss all aspects of their well-being, identifying complementary approaches like aromatherapy, meditation, or massage, advising on stress management, and offering wellness coaching. The optional credential is the Holistic Nursing Certification.

Where Holistic Nurses Work

Most holistic nurses work in acute care hospitals (35%), universities and colleges (20%), and private practices (20%), with about 10% in home healthcare.

In hospitals, they provide nonpharmacological pain management, teach stress management as part of recovery, and refer patients to or deliver complementary care. In universities and colleges, they teach students whole body wellness, advise on reducing anxiety, and lead wellness coaching. In home healthcare, they help patients adjust to serious conditions, advise on nonpharmacological pain relief, and connect patients to spiritual, mental, or emotional care.

Why Become a Holistic Nurse

Holistic nursing addresses needs beyond a patient's physical condition, and the role draws on knowledge of complementary and alternative treatments. Holistic nurses can work in nearly any healthcare or wellness setting and help patients recover psychologically from life changing injuries or illness.

The field has drawbacks. A holistic consult takes longer than a strictly physical one, and insurance may not cover the added time. Some colleagues remain skeptical of holistic care. And many treatments lack strong research, which makes it harder to separate effective approaches from the rest.

How to Become a Holistic Nurse

Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). An ADN takes two years and a BSN takes four. Many jobs, especially higher level roles, require the BSN.

Pass the NCLEX-RN to earn registered nurse (RN) licensure. The exam runs about six hours and covers nursing practice, conditions and treatments, communication, the healthcare system, and legal and ethical issues.

Gain bedside experience. Any nurse can adopt holistic practices, but certification requires experience. Many holistic nurses also study complementary approaches like massage, meditation, or wellness coaching.

Consider earning Holistic Nursing Certification. It requires one year full time or 2,000 hours part time of holistic nursing experience over five years, plus at least 48 hours of continuing education within two years. The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation offers four certification levels based on education.

How Much Holistic Nurses Make

Based on general RN data, the median annual holistic nurse salary is $93,600, compared with $49,500 for all occupations, according to the BLS. As with any nursing salary, pay varies by location, BSN status, and experience.

The BLS projects RN jobs will grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, faster than average. There is no specific projection for holistic nursing, but with steady interest in complementary medicine and ongoing research, demand for holistic nurses is likely to keep pace with or exceed growth across all RN categories.

Resources for Holistic Nurses

The American Holistic Nurses Association offers continuing education, an annual conference, publications, networking, self-care resources, and the scope and standards of holistic nursing practice. Membership is open to holistic healthcare professionals of any kind.

The Journal of Holistic Nursing, published since 1983, is a peer reviewed quarterly from Sage Publishing that supports both traditional and emerging scholarship and includes continuing education credit opportunities.

The Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine is a bimonthly, peer reviewed, open access journal covering traditional and herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and the history and cultural context of traditional medicine.

The National League for Nursing serves nurse educators with professional development, recognition programs, program and educator certification, advocacy, and teaching resources, with membership categories for educators, schools, and associate members.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a holistic nurse do? A holistic nurse cares for patients across every dimension of wellness, including mental, emotional, environmental, and spiritual health. Care may include complementary approaches like aromatherapy, breathwork, or mind-body practices.

What is a holistic nurse? A nurse who sees health as far more than the absence of physical illness and who provides care across all aspects of wellness, sometimes including approaches outside Western practice such as traditional Eastern methods.

What are the core values of holistic nursing? Holistic philosophy, theory, and ethics; the holistic caring process; holistic communication and therapeutic environment; holistic education and research; and holistic nurse self-care.

What does holistic nurse certification require? A current, unencumbered nursing license, at least one year full time or 2,000 hours part time of holistic nursing experience, at least 48 hours of continuing education, and a passing score on the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation exam.