Exploring a Holistic Nursing School: Programs, Certifications, and Career Paths

If nurses only addressed physical symptoms, patients wouldn’t receive the comprehensive care they need for their mental and emotional wellness. Holistic nursing, on the other hand, cares for the whole patient. If you’re looking for a higher purpose, consider a holistic nursing school, particularly the 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Xavier University. After all, no one knows more about caring for the whole person than we do.

Our accelerated nursing program is among a select few in the country to have the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) endorsement. This means graduates are eligible to sit for both the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and, later, the AHNCC’s holistic nursing certification exam.

While every nursing school graduate must pass the NCLEX to practice the profession, those with a holistic nursing certification tend to stand out more in the healthcare industry. Why? It shows employers you have both the intellect and empathy to properly care for patients, which is critical as more healthcare facilities adopt integrative care systems.

Before embarking on a holistic nursing career, however, look at what this approach means and what you can expect from nursing school.

What Is Holistic Nursing?

A recognized nursing specialty since 2006, holistic care acknowledges that the body, mind, and soul are intricately linked and that what affects one may affect the other. Therefore, holistic nurses seek well-rounded treatment plans for patients that address the mental and spiritual elements that could lead to physical distress and vice versa.

There are a few key principles of holistic care to be aware of:

• It is patient-centered, respecting the patient’s values, beliefs, and preferences.
• It is integrative, incorporating complementary and alternative therapies into care plans.
• It acknowledges that a patient’s lifestyle can significantly influence their health, and so holistic nurses often provide guidance on healthy habits, from stress reduction to nutrition and beyond.

While holistic nursing is a specialty, its philosophy applies universally throughout other nursing specialties and work environments. Holistic nurses work in hospitals, private practices, long-term care facilities, and schools across a variety of other nursing specialties like critical care and medical-surgical nursing.

How a Holistic Nursing Program Prepares You for a Meaningful Career

While all nurses focus on their patients, holistic nurses typically take their own needs and emotions into consideration when caring for others. These well-rounded caregivers believe they cannot be effective in their jobs unless their minds and bodies are in peak condition.

By choosing a holistic nursing school, you’ll come to understand the role that self-care, self-responsibility, and self-reflection play in job performance and career satisfaction. When nurses have the right work-life balance, they’re able to provide the best possible patient care.

Our Holistic Philosophy at Xavier

What is holistic nursing like at Xavier? As more healthcare professionals realize the benefits of treating the whole patient, holistic nursing certification has become a serious consideration for many nursing students, and we’re one of just 17 schools in the nation that can help you become certified.

Since 1831, our university has maintained a strong Jesuit tradition of educating students through a series of mind-body-spirit interactions that promote care of oneself and others. It’s a teaching philosophy that prepares students to make the world a better place by helping them cultivate lives of reflection, compassion, and informed action. You don’t need to be Catholic to attend our university, however. Our doors are open to anyone who has a desire to serve others.

Our Pedagogy Approach

How does our Jesuit philosophy influence your education as an accelerated nursing student? Through our Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm, you’ll learn how to safely apply nursing skills and understand how illness can impact a patient from a physical, psychological, social, cultural, and religious perspective.

We follow this paradigm as a way to provide an education that not only focuses on your academic mastery and personal growth but also contributes to the greater good of society. It’s a holistic teaching-learning strategy that serves to develop your competence, compassion, and conscience when caring for others.

More specifically, we create a contextual learning environment where the notion “care for the whole person” is a reoccurring theme throughout the ABSN program. For instance, nursing faculty teach the ABSN curriculum with your specific needs as a student in mind.

Your clinical instructors will ask you to reflect on the ABSN content and share your thoughts on it. It’s a way to help you understand how your nursing studies influence your practice and shape your consciousness in the service of others. Nursing instructors also provide opportunities that challenge your ingenuity and compel you to take action for positive change.

Xavier Values

1. Cura Personalis: Care for the whole person
2. Magis: Strive for excellence and do more for others
3. Service: Pursue justice and invest in the well-being of those less fortunate
4. Reflection: Understand how past experiences play into the present
5. Solidarity: Foster engagement within the community
6. Discernment: Take action using intellect and empathy

Lastly, the evaluation component of the paradigm supports your appropriate synthesis of the nursing content and your growth in nursing practice.

How to Become a Holistic Nurse

Becoming a holistic nurse can be more within reach than you might think. When planning how to become a holistic nurse, don’t hesitate to ask your admissions adviser at Xavier for guidance.

Earn Your BSN

The first step is to earn your BSN. If you choose Xavier, you could graduate in as few as 16 months after completing the prerequisites. You’ll work through:

• Online coursework: Learn nursing concepts
• Skills and simulation labs: In-person, hands-on learning experiences
• Clinical rotations: Gain real-world clinical experience in healthcare facilities

Pass the NCLEX and Obtain a License

After earning a BSN, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX. Xavier offers Academic Success Coaches who can work with you one-on-one to prepare for this rigorous exam. Once you pass, you can obtain a state-issued RN license.

Consider Learning Complementary Therapies

A holistic nurse’s career pathway is dynamic, with plenty of opportunities for ongoing professional development. You might consider learning some complementary and alternative therapies that can help your patients, such as:

• Acupressure
• Aromatherapy
• Biofeedback
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Dietary coaching
• Guided imagery
• Lifestyle counseling
• Mindfulness meditation
• Tai chi
• Yoga

Is a Holistic Nursing Certification Worth It?

The AHNCC offers a professional certification for holistic nurses who wish to demonstrate their commitment to and knowledge of patient-centered care. Although certification is voluntary, it’s definitely recommended for holistic nurses. Earning a certification demonstrates that you hold your professional practice to a high standard and that you’re committed to providing high-quality patient care.

There are a few different certification options. For example, you could first obtain the Holistic Nurse Baccalaureate Board Certified (HNB-BC®) credential after demonstrating one full year of clinical experience. If you decide to earn a graduate-level nursing degree, you may then qualify to test for the Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certified (AHN-BC®) credential.

Career Opportunities for Holistic Nurses

Holistic nurses may pursue career opportunities across a number of work settings, including:

• Acute care hospitals
• Birth centers
• Home healthcare agencies
• Hospice agencies
• Private practices
• Universities

A Student’s View on Holistic Nursing

ABSN student Sarah B. reflected on the Jesuit education philosophy at Xavier in relation to holistic nursing practice, and her answers may provide insight to prospective students.

Q: What do you like about Xavier?

A: I’m drawn to both the clinical and human sides of nursing, so one of the things that attracted me to Xavier was its emphasis on holistic nursing practice. I really like how the curriculum not only focuses on physical health, but also psychological, spiritual, and emotional health.

Q: How would you describe a Jesuit education?

A: At Xavier, we’re encouraged to do what is right, ask questions to seek understanding, and give back to others. Those are the basics of nursing. I also believe the Jesuit philosophy is foundational to the nature of nursing.

Q: What’s your take on holistic nursing?

A: When I’m ready to enter the workforce, I believe my understanding of holistic care will enable me to foster better relationships with my patients and improve my ability to heal. It’s really important to me that my patients feel secure in times of vulnerability.

Is a Holistic Nursing School for You?

If patient-centered care appeals to you, a job in holistic nursing can lift you to a higher purpose. Let our ABSN program in Ohio shape your career in as few as 16 months. Contact the admissions team at Xavier today.