Holistic Medicine Nurse: Career, Training, & Certification

Holistic Medicine Nurse

The World Health Organization currently estimates that about 80% of people worldwide use herbal medicine or other alternative therapies to help in their fight against illness. This includes acupuncture, biofeedback, and massage, among other therapies. Because more and more people are turning to natural or alternative holistic medicine, there is a greater need for nurses to become experts in this field and learn how to administer this type of treatment to a public that is seeking it. Nursing programs and schools have followed suit, offering specialty courses in Complimentary and Alternative medicine, or CAM. Qualified nurses are able to find jobs in a wide range of areas, including acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic clinics.
 
Salary Outlook
 
Because there are so many different fields that are included within the realm of “holistic medicine,” the salaries can vary. Nurses in a chiropractic clinic, for instance, may make more money than massage therapists, but both could be considered holistic medicine nurses.
 
Average Annual Salary
$29,000
 
Salary Range
$22,000-86,000
 
Work Environment
 
Those nurses that specialize in holistic medicine will most likely end up working in treatment centers that range from specialty clinics, such as those dedicated to chiropractic work or acupuncture, to broader holistic medicine clinics. They may be self employed or work under the supervision of a physician, and many will make house visits or work out of their own small clinics or homes. This is more of a grass-roots type of nursing than other fields.
 
Requirements
 
The requirements for holistic medicine nurses will vary depending on what the nurse’s specialty is. This will also depend on the state that the nurse plans on practicing in. For massage therapists, for example, a state-specific license is required. Most licensing requirements include the completion of a specialty certificate program, as well as a certain amount of hours of hands-on experience with patients. There are specialty schools devoted to massage, acupuncture, and eastern medicine. Nursing schools have also jumped on this bandwagon, and offer holistic medicine courses within their overall curriculum.
 
Career Outlook
 
The career outlook for holistic medicine nurses can vary depending on what the field of specialty is, though overall it looks like the trend towards alternative medicine in general keeps increasing. There has been a 10% increase in the number of patients who are using alternative medicine in only the past decade, and this number looks set to continue climbing. With this, the corresponding need for nurses and qualified health care will climb as well.
 
Professional Organizations
 
American Holistic Medical Association
23366 Commerce Park, Suite 101B
Beachwood, OH 44122
Phone: (216) 292-6644
Fax: (216) 292-6688
www.holisticmedicine.org
 
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
4435 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Suite 403
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: (202) 237-8150
Toll Free: (866) 538-2267
www.naturopathic.org