Trends in Holistic Nursing

Holistic nursing is a rapidly emerging field attracting much recognition. In December 2006 the American Nurses Association granted it status as a nursing specialty, which has contributed to the growing acceptance of its practices.

Definition

• Holistic nursing incorporates many of the beliefs and approaches often described as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Holistic nurses are certified through the Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation and increasingly, many also hold certification in other CAM therapies.

Acceptance

• A July 2006 survey by Health Forum found that 27 percent of surveyed hospitals are offering CAM services to their patients, many of these provided by holistic nurses. The Holistic Nurses Association is working to gain further acceptance of holistic nursing by encouraging health insurance companies to recognize it more commonly as eligible for reimbursement.

Research

• Holistic nursing researchers, such as those cited on the American Holistic Nurses Association's website, are rapidly establishing evidence-based findings documenting the added healing and cost-saving benefits of holistic nursing.

Approach

• Holistic nursing has always focused on the whole person rather than just the health condition of concern. Increasingly, that focus is more complex as CAM research reveals more about the mind/body/spirit connection and different forms of energy healing. As a result, holistic nurses are certified in CAM therapies such as Reiki, Qigong, and acupuncture. Overall, holistic nurses are assuming a greater role as "healer."

Practitioners

• 2007 figures from members of the American Holistic Nurses Association indicate 39 percent of holistic nurses are employed in hospitals, 23 percent are in private practice, 15 percent are in academia and involved in teaching and/or research, 11 percent work in hospice or long-term care, and 9 percent are students.