Holistic Nurses Certification and Recertification Requirements
Holistic Nursing is the art and science of caring for the whole person. It is based on the belief that dynamic mind-body-spirit interactions are ongoing and impact a person's ability to grow and heal. Holistic nurses aim to promote health and wellness as they facilitate their client's growth and healing. Health is a perception of wellness, and a quality of life. Holistic nurses work with people in all settings and at all phases of life. Their primary goal is to facilitate people to live their lives as fully as possible, in all situations.
As the definitive voice for holistic nursing, the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) promotes the education of nurses, other health care professionals, and the public in all aspects of holistic caring and healing. The American Holistic Nurses Association is a non-profit membership association serving more than 4,500 members and 143 local chapters across the U.S. and abroad.
AHNA serves as a bridge between conventional healthcare and complementary/alternative healing practices. As health care professionals, holistic nurses may integrate complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) into clinical practice to treat the whole person and view healing as a partnership between a person seeking treatment and their practitioner.
AHNA Goals
- To provide continuing education in holistic nursing
- To help to improve the health care workplace by promoting the incorporation of the concepts of holistic nursing
- To educate professionals and the public about holistic nursing and integrative health care
- To serve as a resource to members
- To promote research and scholarship in the field of holistic nursing
Certification in Holistic Nursing is obtained through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) which is a separate entity from AHNA. AHNCC is the only national credentialing corporation for Holistic Nursing.
AHNCC offers four Certification Examinations in Holistic Nursing as a specialty and one Certification the Nurse Coach Role which is embedded in Holistic Nursing precepts:
- Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (HN-BC);
- Holistic Baccalaureate Nurse, Board Certified (HNB-BC);
- Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (AHN-BC); and
- Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (APHN-BC).
- Nurse Coach, Board Certified (NC-BC or HWNC-BC).
Certification in Basic Holistic Nursing
http://www.ahncc.org/certification/holisticnursingbasic.html
Certification in Advanced Holistic Nursing
http://www.ahncc.org/certification/holisticnursingadvance.html
Certification in Nurse Coaching
http://www.ahncc.org/certification/nursecoachnchwnc.html
Recertification
Certification is valid for a period of five (5) years from the date appearing on the certificate. Inactive certificants can not use certification credentials.
http://www.ahncc.org/recertification.html
Recertification Requirements:
- Continue to be in good standing in Nursing with an active, unrestricted license documented by a copy of a US RN license attached to application
- Actively involved in Holistic Nursing documented by completion of application
- Completion of Continuing Education Contact Hours documented by completion of application
- Submission of a minimum of two items for the certification examination documented by PTC
- Witnessed and signed Letter of Agreement with AHNCC
Criteria for Contact Hours:
The continuing competency criteria for renewal of your AHNCC certification are the equivalent of 100 contact hours in your specialty (i.e. holistic nursing or nurse coaching) and related disciplines. Contact hours must have been acquired from the date of your last certification to the date for renewal and submission of your recertification application. Continuing competency means that you have completed learning experiences that result in updating and expanding your knowledge, and skills in your specialty. Therefore, credit is given for appropriate continued education courses and alternative activities such as publishing, presentations at conferences, and academic courses in your specialty.
- At least 20% of contact hours must directly address holistic nursing, theories, theorists or major concepts such as spirituality, intention, holistic self-care, sacred space or presence that are relevant to your practice.
- The remaining contact hours can be related to holistic modalities, methods of practice, and studies that facilitate self-care, growth, and transformation within a holistic context. Medical focused courses will not be accepted unless you can explain how they relate to your practice.
- The contact hours must be approved either by a licensing board, credentialed body, educational institution, or other qualified individual or organization.
- Certificates or other documentation that gives proof of completion of each contact hour must be submitted with the renewal application.
