Holistic Nursing: What is it and Where is it Going?

RNs who practice integrative healthcare seek to treat the whole patient, empowering them to live fuller, healthier lives.

In the not-so-distant past, many healthcare practitioners in the United States staunchly objected to any treatment methods other than mainstream Western medicine. Over the past decade or so, however, that trend has begun to change.

Integrative healthcare, also sometimes called holistic care or comprehensive healthcare, draws upon treatments and practices from many sources, including Western medicine, Eastern medicine, and alternative care practices. Integrative approaches often encompass:

Integrative practices can restore a sense of control to patients and help them feel supported on all fronts. As many nurses know, a positive, pro-active attitude can make all the difference in treatment outcomes.

Holistic approaches are commonly found in wellness-focused practices or specialized clinical settings. They have also been used in forward-thinking oncology treatment programs where caregivers use every available avenue to promote patient comfort and remission. More and more healthcare providers are looking favorably on hiring practitioners who are comfortable with integrative medicine.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) officially recognized holistic nursing as a specialty area of nursing practice in 2006. Registered nurses can combine their clinical expertise with holistic care. They can seek to develop lifestyle and wellness plans in conjunction with their patients in order to foster healthier, happier lives.

Integrative and holistic treatment resonates more with some practitioners than others, but if it strikes a chord with you, you may want to further your formal education in the field, or network with like-minded RNs in the AHNA.

The shift toward welcoming a holistic approach into more traditional healthcare settings is evident in the development of integrative nursing programs in university nursing schools, in the growth of accrediting bodies, and in the adoption of holistic practices by esteemed medical centers. According to a university in Honolulu, Hawaii, “hospitals have already begun using protocols of integrative medicine for stress management, smoking cessation, weight loss, and pain reduction.” Integrative medicine is available as coursework in many Continuing Nurse Education programs.

Whether you’re all in on the idea of holistic care or believe in a more traditional approach to healthcare, we have the perfect travel nurse job for you! You can get started by completing an online profile.