Holistic Nursing Research Paper
Holistic Nursing
A Way of Being, a Way of Living, a Way of Practice!
By Lucia Thornton
32
JANUARY 2008
What do holistic nurses do? Where do they work? Do I need special education and training to become a holistic nurse?
Article Copyright 2008, Lucia Thornton
NSNA IMPRINT | www.nsna.org 33
HOLISTIC NURSING
H
Figure I : Holistic Nurse Demographics from AHNA membership.
SIDEBAR I
Questions for Self-Exploration and Awareness
olistic nursing can be practiced in any setting. Demographics from the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) membership show that 39 percent of holistic nurses work in hospitals, 23 percent in private practice, 15 percent in academia/education/research, 11percent hospice/palliative/long …show more content…
To be eligible for board certification by the AHNCC at the basic holistic nursing level (HN-BC), a nurse is required to have: (1) an active, unrestricted U.S. license; (2) a baccalaureate or higher degree; (3) at least one year of full-time practice or 2,000 hours of part-time practice within the last five years as a holistic nurse or graduation from an AHNCC-endorsed university; and (4) a minimum of 48 contact hours of holistic nursing continuing education within the last 2 years (AHNA, p.20) After becoming eligible for certification, the nurse must pass a qualitative assessment and a quantitative examination to obtain certification. Board certification is also offered at the advanced practice level (AHNBC) for nurses with graduate degrees. The eligibility criteria for advanced practice is similar and certification also requires passing a qualitative assessment and a quantitative exam (AHNA p.22). The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) endorses and sponsors a variety of educational programs related to holistic nursing practice. For more information access the AHNA website at: www.ahna.org. Lucia Thornton, a holistic nurse educator and consultant, currently serves as President of the American Holistic Nurses Association. Her work in transforming hospitals into "healing environments" has received national, state and local recognition. Lucia can be contacted at
A Way of Being, a Way of Living, a Way of Practice!
By Lucia Thornton
32
JANUARY 2008
What do holistic nurses do? Where do they work? Do I need special education and training to become a holistic nurse?
Article Copyright 2008, Lucia Thornton
NSNA IMPRINT | www.nsna.org 33
HOLISTIC NURSING
H
Figure I : Holistic Nurse Demographics from AHNA membership.
SIDEBAR I
Questions for Self-Exploration and Awareness
olistic nursing can be practiced in any setting. Demographics from the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) membership show that 39 percent of holistic nurses work in hospitals, 23 percent in private practice, 15 percent in academia/education/research, 11percent hospice/palliative/long …show more content…
To be eligible for board certification by the AHNCC at the basic holistic nursing level (HN-BC), a nurse is required to have: (1) an active, unrestricted U.S. license; (2) a baccalaureate or higher degree; (3) at least one year of full-time practice or 2,000 hours of part-time practice within the last five years as a holistic nurse or graduation from an AHNCC-endorsed university; and (4) a minimum of 48 contact hours of holistic nursing continuing education within the last 2 years (AHNA, p.20) After becoming eligible for certification, the nurse must pass a qualitative assessment and a quantitative examination to obtain certification. Board certification is also offered at the advanced practice level (AHNBC) for nurses with graduate degrees. The eligibility criteria for advanced practice is similar and certification also requires passing a qualitative assessment and a quantitative exam (AHNA p.22). The American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) endorses and sponsors a variety of educational programs related to holistic nursing practice. For more information access the AHNA website at: www.ahna.org. Lucia Thornton, a holistic nurse educator and consultant, currently serves as President of the American Holistic Nurses Association. Her work in transforming hospitals into "healing environments" has received national, state and local recognition. Lucia can be contacted at