Is Becoming a Holistic Nurse Practitioner Right for You?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is not just an absence of disease, it’s a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. A holistic nurse practitioner (HNP) embraces this philosophy, combining modern medicine, natural therapies, and lifestyle change interventions to support healing on all levels — mind, body, and soul.
If a patient has diabetes, for example, the goal of holistic nursing isn’t just to manage the condition but to also address the underlying factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, or poor diet. This helps enable patients to achieve true, lasting wellness.
If you’re drawn to the idea of healing beyond symptoms, becoming a holistic NP could be your calling. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to join this rewarding career path, including education, licensure, salaries, and potential workplaces.
Holistic Nurse Practitioner: Career Snapshot
- Mission: Treat diseases and restore wellness.
- Responsibilities: Conduct health assessments, prescribe medications and healing therapies, develop wellness plans, provide lifestyle counseling, and educate patients on mind-body healing practices.
- Workplaces: Private practices, wellness centers, hospitals, integrative health clinics, and community health programs.
- Path: Become an RN, gain experience in holistic care, earn an advanced nursing degree, and obtain NP certification.
- Length of study: 6 to 8 years.
What Is a Holistic Nurse Practitioner?
A holistic NP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who integrates conventional medical treatments with complementary therapies, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and mindfulness techniques. These professionals work closely with patients to identify the root causes of health issues along with treating surface-level symptoms.
Depending on your passion, you’ll have the option to choose from various healing modalities. Here are three examples:
| Healing Modality | What It’s About | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda | Originating from India, this system of medicine focuses on balancing three fundamental energies known as doshas — vata, pitta, and kapha — that influence a person’s physical and mental traits. Imbalances in these doshas are believed to be the root cause of disease. |
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| Traditional Chinese Medicine | This system focuses on the concept that health is governed by the qi (vital energy), yin and yang (opposing yet complementary forces), and the flow of body fluids through specific channels known as meridians. Illness is seen as an imbalance in these essential energies. |
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| Homeopathic Medicine | This model is based on the principle that “like cures like,” where substances that cause symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in an ill person, using highly diluted remedies to stimulate the body’s healing process. |
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How to Become a Holistic Nurse Practitioner
Becoming an HNP is a journey that requires dedication, a solid education, and a passing score on several important exams. Here’s how you can pave the way to this niche NP specialty:
1. Earn a Nursing Degree
If you are starting your path from scratch, your first step is to earn a nursing degree from an accredited program. You’ll have two options:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A 2-year degree typically offered at community colleges.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A 4-year degree usually offered at universities.
While the BSN takes longer to complete, it’s often preferred by employers and makes it easier to pursue graduate programs. But if you choose the quicker ADN route, don’t worry — there are bridge programs like RN to BSN or ADN to MSN to help you advance.
2. Obtain a Nursing Licensure
After completing your nursing degree, the next step is to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). To do this, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN, a nationwide exam that tests your knowledge and competency in nursing practice. Once you pass and submit your application to your state’s nursing board, you’ll be able to apply for RN jobs.
3. Gain Experience
Some holistic nurse practitioner schools require at least one to two years of clinical experience for admission, so you might need to build up your RN experience first. What nursing specialties can best prepare you for a future holistic NP role? Here are some practice areas that will help you develop key nursing skills:
- Ambulatory care nursing
- Community health care
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Progressive care
- Rehabilitation care
4. Enroll in a Graduate Program
Your next step is to enroll in an accredited holistic nurse practitioner program. You’ll have two advanced practice degree types to choose from:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Typically takes 2 years to complete and is tailored for NPs wanting to work in in-patient care settings.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete and is designed for NPs wanting to work in administrative roles or research.
While admission requirements can vary by program, they often include the following:
- Active RN license
- BSN degree
- Competitive GPA
- Nursing resume
- Academic motivational letter
- Essay on your nursing philosophy
- Certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Letters of recommendation
5. Obtain NP Certification
After earning your MSN or DNP, you’ll need to apply for certification as an NP with your state’s board of nursing. Holistic NPs may pursue a general NP certification, such as FNP, and then go on to obtain specialized certification in holistic nursing. This process involves passing an exam and submitting documents to your state’s regulatory board. Here are some options to consider:
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers certification in various specialties, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP).
- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides board certification for NPs in different specialties, such as family and adult-gerontology.
- The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) offers the Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse Board Certified (APHN-BC) credential for current APRNs.
Where Can an HNP Work?
From post-acute facilities to wellness retreats and even telehealth, holistic NPs have the unique advantage of workplace flexibility. Here are the examples of settings where you can put your expertise to work:
- Alternative medicine centers
- Holistic health clinics
- Hospices
- Long-term care facilities
- Mental health clinics
- Occupational health programs
- Pain management clinics
- Palliative care facilities
- Remote wellness coaching practices
- Substance abuse clinics
- Wellness retreat and spas
Some holistic NPs take the entrepreneurial route, providing personalized care to their patients from private offices or remotely.
Holistic Nurse Practitioner Salary
The average salary for a nurse practitioner in the U.S. is $128,490 per year, or $61.78 per hour. Your earnings can vary based on factors such as years of experience, the type of healthcare setting you work in, and whether you hold additional certifications.
The state in which you practice can significantly impact your pay. If maximizing your salary is a priority, consider submitting your nurse practitioner resume to employers in these high-paying states for NPs:
Frequently Asked Questions: Holistic Nurse Practitioner
Are there any accredited holistic nurse practitioner programs online?
Yes, there are accredited nurse practitioner programs available online. However, while theoretical courses can be completed remotely, clinical rotations may need to be done in person. Some programs offer the flexibility to do so at a facility of your choice.
What is the job outlook for holistic NPs?
The demand for NPs is projected to rise by 46% in the next decade, which is much higher than the average across all careers. This translates to excellent career opportunities in the field.
Can holistic NPs work independently?
In states with full practice authority, holistic NPs can work independently. But state laws vary — some states grant full autonomy, while others require NPs to work alongside a physician.
Are there specialty areas for holistic NPs?
While holistic nursing itself is a specialty, NPs can further focus on areas like women’s health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health. For example, a holistic NP in women’s health might emphasize hormone balance through lifestyle changes, while one in mental health could incorporate meditation and stress management techniques alongside traditional treatments.
Can holistic NPs prescribe medication?
Yes. Holistic NPs have the same prescribing authority as other nurse practitioners, depending on state regulations. They may also recommend herbs, homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements, or lifestyle changes as part of treatment.
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