Holistic nursing is defined as all nursing practice that provides care for the person as an integrated, holistic human being, inseparable and integral with the environment. Holistic practice draws on holistic nursing knowledge, theories, expertise, different ways of knowing, and intuition to guide nurses in becoming therapeutic partners with clients in a mutually evolving process toward healing and holism. Holistic Nursing is universal in nature and may be practiced in any clinical setting, community, private practice, hospital, educational institution, or research foundation; with the understanding that clientsare the experts of their needs and care is always planned for and provided within the context of their culture, perceptions, values, and belief system .
Preparation for the exam can be self study. The following programs are available for those who may need additional help.
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* For international candidates, they must pass the NCLEX OR must demonstrate the license has been verified for equivalency by CGFNS, WES, or Educational Records Evaluation Services (ERES). An RN license, issued by a State Board of Nursing, must not have provisions or conditions that would limit the nurse’s practice in any way, must be current, and unrestricted. It is the responsibility of all Candidates and/or Certificants to notify the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation when any restriction is placed on their nursing license. It is also the candidate’s responsibility to submit updated information regarding licensure. Candidates must have a current, unrestricted license when sitting for the certification examination.
** Holistic nursing is not setting dependent but rather is based on the nurse’s philosophy which guides their practice. If the nurse facilitates health, wellness, and well-being and plans care and interventions that integrate the client’s mind-body-spirit then she/he/they is/are practicing Holistic Nursing. In summary, holistic nursing is not using healing or integrative therapies such as aromatherapy or energy work BUT how you show up as a nurse when working with people. Many holistic nurses use healing therapies but that is not what defines them as holistic nurses. It is their way of thinking and being not doing that demonstrates holistic nursing practice. Holistic nurses work in all settings and with all populations. If this is how you think about people and nursing and have met the hours required then you meet the practice requirement.
*** If using academic credit, it must be completed through an accredited higher education institution. A grade of “C” or higher or a grade of “pass” in a pass/fail system must be achieved. 1 quarter credit = 10 contact hours 1 semester credit = 15 contact hours
**** All international candidates with an RN license are eligible to sit for the HN-BC examination. Applicants wanting to sit for a higher level examination must submit documentation showing that their educational program is equivalent to the educational requirement of the examination level being sought. Questions regarding this process can be directed to ahncc@flash.net. NOTE: Graduates or faculty of an AHNCC Endorsed academic university-based nursing program within the past 2 years meet most of the above requirements. See Endorsed Program Overview.
NOTE: If you are actively certified as both holistic nurse and nurse coach with AHNCC, HWNC-BC ® is a nurse coach credential that can be used instead of NC-BC ® (You can use both holistic nurse and nurse coach credentials.) If you are actively certified as both and need an HWNC-BC ® certificate to replace your NC-BC ® certificate, please contact us at info@ahncc.org.
It is the responsibility of the individual to prepare for the exam. The two primary resources are the Core Practice Competencies of Holistic Nursing and the AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice. Examination items are developed to test the Core Practice Competencies of Holistic Nursing.
The basic competencies may be found as an appendix in the Core Essentials for Basic Holistic Nursing. The advanced competencies may be found as an appendix in the Core Essentials for Advanced Holistic Nursing. To obtain AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing click here.
Only nurses certified by AHNCC may use the designated credentials. Nurses may NOT use the credential when the nurse has:
The AHNCC Application and testing organization is Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-Net).
Handbooks, Practice Tests, and Applications are available. Flyer
Services offered to our applicants include:
For questions related to the AHNCC Application or Testing process, contact C-NET at:
info@cnetnurse.com
C-NET
800-463-0786
For other questions, please contact us at info@ahncc.org, or call 785-267-0943. We look forward to working with you and helping you however we can.
Information regarding AHNCC examinations is available. To learn more, click here.
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