Holistic nursing is a medical specialty that considers the patient’s entire being instead of just diagnosing specific physical symptoms. Complementary medical treatments are frequently recommended by holistic nurses to help patients achieve better health. By forming interpersonal and long-term relationships with patients, the nurse becomes a partner. Nurses with a holistic healthcare background frequently work in hospices and long-term care facilities.
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) is widely regarded as one of the first holistic nurses. Because she brought comforting light and a gentle smile to war-wounded soldiers, she was known as “The Lady of the Lamp.” She was a thorough and efficient nurse, but she also treated each patient as an individual with unique needs — the epitome of a holistic nurse.
Holistic nursing should not be thought of as a replacement for modern medicine, but rather as a supplement to better health care. A holistic nurse is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN) with additional training in holistic nursing, usually a certificate or a degree. Holistic nurses will review the patient’s history and immediate surroundings in addition to assessing the patient’s physical condition. They may inquire about the patient’s stress levels, family relationships, work history, upbringing, religious affiliation, and any other factor that may have an impact on his or her life.
Depending on the specific ailment, holistic nursing can include a variety of alternative healthcare treatments as a complement to traditional medicine. The patient is carefully assessed, and the nurse recommends a specific treatment regimen. Aromatherapy, shiatsu massage, yoga, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), meditation, hypnotherapy, energy healing, and a variety of other modalities are examples of holistic healthcare practices.
In holistic nursing, nutrition and body cleansing are crucial. Food combining and macrobiotic diets may be prescribed, sometimes in conjunction with hydrotherapy (water therapy). To help flush harmful toxins from the body and increase energy levels, the patient may be encouraged to eat a nutritious diet. Colonic hydrotherapy, also known as high colonics, is a type of holistic nursing practice in which toxins are flushed from the bowels with water injections.
Holistic nurses are employed by many hospitals and clinics. They show patients human compassion and respect for their personal dignity, which is often lacking in the healthcare industry. With terminally ill and long-term patients, holistic nursing can be especially beneficial. To help relieve the stress caused by illness, the nurses form a personal bond with the patient’s family and friends. Holistic nursing provides a refreshing alternative to traditional nursing care while also providing excellent, traditional nursing care.