There’s never been a better time to enter holistic nursing — it’s a profession that’s expected to experience the same growth as conventional registered nurses and expand in number by 16% by 2024, which is a faster rate than many other occupations, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals. As a Whole Health nurse, you’ll focus on recognizing each individual patient as a whole — mind, body, and spirit — to help patients and families of all ages to live healthier lifestyles. Whichever area you specialize in, it’s a rewarding profession that helps both patients and nurses thrive.
Plenty of options
After graduating from a Whole Health nursing program, you’ll find there’s a number of different exciting fields you have the opportunity to enter afterwards and hone your knowledge. Reading the thoughts and experiences of people currently working in medicine can help you get a feel for the different areas and decide which one is the best fit for you. In particular, a family nurse practitioner is trained to provide health care services to people of all ages. Typical duties include diagnosing and treating illness, conducting physical exams, and prescribing treatment.
Alternatively, graduates interested in helping patients improve their mental and emotional health should consider becoming a mental health nurse. This role involves diagnosing and treating psychological disorders, as well as providing counseling services to help address the root of the problem. Whole Health graduates also have the opportunity to work in various institutions, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, private practices, hospices, universities, and holistic health centers. Additionally, some Whole Health nurses may choose to become health and wellness coaches to help clients set, achieve, and maintain individual health goals.
Deliver better patient care
Whole Health nurses are qualified to deliver superior patient care, which in turns creates greater job satisfaction. This is essentially because patients are provided with personalized care tailored to their unique conditions, which is carefully designed to lower the risk of injury or illness developing and increase the chances of positive health outcomes. As a Whole Health nurse, you’ll also be informed on each patient’s individual struggles and strengths, which enables you to better support patient progress and recovery.
Additionally, holistic nurses have the unique opportunity to combine modern Western medicine and holistic nursing; knowledge of illness and disease is paired with an understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual ramifications a condition has on a patient. Whole Health nurses therefore have a greater ability to provide personalized care and the best treatment possible for every patient.
Emphasis on self-care
Although patient care is a top priority for holistic nurses, it’s equally important to take proper care of your own mental, physical, and spiritual health. Nursing is a demanding role, which can be both physically and mentally draining. If you’re not in good health, you won’t be able to support your patients. Fortunately, holistic nursing places an emphasis on good health for nurses, which includes the importance of self-care, spirituality, self-responsibility, and personal reflection. This focus on self-care provides holistic nurses with greater support and encouragement to maintain awareness of their own needs while working. You’ll be better able to stay in holistic health and thrive in your job.
Graduating as a Whole Health nurse opens up a world of fulfilling work opportunities in the realm of healthcare, which combines conventional treatments with effective alternative methods. Whichever area of nursing you choose to enter, training as a Whole Health nurse is bound to benefit you, your colleagues, and patients alike.
Join the conversation. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to follow NIWH on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates filled with useful accredited health program information for holistic nurses and health coaches.