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Holistic Nurse Practitioner Programs

A Holistic Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse (RN) with specialized training. Those thinking of going into the field must first obtain a Registered Nurse license. This means you will need to apply and be accepted into one of the many nursing schools in the country and pass the state nursing boards. Once you obtain your RN license, you will then need to apply to Holistic Nurse Practitioner Programs.

A Nurse Practitioner is an RN who has completed training for a Master’s Degree or additional training beyond the standard nursing bachelor’s degree. This training, after completing another state test, allows the nurse to perform advanced care in the medical field. This includes prescribing limited medications and treatments, seeing their own patients, and often assisting their patients with medical procedures such as anesthesia or giving birth. There is also one school that offers a certificate for licensed RNs in holistic nursing.

A Holistic Nurse Practitioner receives training in advanced diagnoses and also in some of the alternative medicine techniques. A student in holistic nursing programs receives training in treating the patient as a whole person, not just a case of the flu or pneumonia. The nurse practitioner, in addition to available medical options, also provides nutrition, psychological support, home support, relaxation techniques and holistic pain relief techniques. Many of the holistic techniques taught in these programs have their basis in countries in such as Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Training is provided in the field at a number of limited schools at this time. This is one of the new nurse practitioner programs that are becoming increasing popular as modern patients look for different alternatives to the past. These programs are currently certified by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA). There are currently a total of 10 programs that are available to students.

Schools that offer both masters and bachelor’s degree programs include the following institutions:

Capital University of Columbus, Ohio
Metropolitan University of St. Paul, Minnesota
Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut
Xavier University of Cincinnati, Ohio

Here is a list of schools that offer bachelor’s degrees in the holistic nursing area:

Eastern University of St. David’s, Pennsylvania
Florida Atlantic University of Boca Raton, Florida
Northern New Mexico College of Espanola, New Mexico
University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Here is a school that offers post bachelor’s certificates, but not a full degree:

MGH-Institute of Health Professions of Boston, Massachusetts

If you don’t see a school in your state, contact the AHNA about schools that want to start a program. If local schools know they have available students, they will often set up at least a trial independent program. Another option is to complete your nursing degree in your home state, obtain your RN and then move to the city of the school of your choice.

Holistic Nurse Practitioners need to work under the purview of a physician. These nurses work in local clinics, hospitals, or private medical offices. This is a great skill set to consider for the future. It should offer the student unlimited potential.


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