Holistic Nurse Practitioner (HNP)

Last Updated On Oct 2, 2024

Expert Verified: Catherine Burger, MSOL, RN, NEA-BC, LNC

12 Min Read

What is a Holistic Nurse Practitioner (HNP)?

Holistic practice is a term that is generally used to describe medical treatment that targets the mind, body, and spirit as a whole instead of focusing primarily on the physical body of a patient. A nurse practitioner who specializes in holistic medicine often uses a combination of conventional medical practices and complementary therapies, such as nutrition counseling, stress management, and alternative medicine, to support overall well-being. The goal of a holistic nurse practitioner (also known as an HNP) is to empower patients to achieve balance and harmony in their lives, promoting long-term health and wellness.

Overview of HNP Careers

If the role of a holistic nurse practitioner sounds like something you may be interested, check out the general pathway to this rewarding NP career:

Educational Aspect	Details
Education Requirements	Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Certification	Holistic Nursing Certification (HN-BC, AHN-BC), Board Certified Holistic Nurse (BC-HN), Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certification (AHN-BC), Integrative Nurse Coach Certification (INCC), National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
Licensing	Must hold a valid RN license and obtain certification.
Continuing Education	Required to maintain certification and stay current with medical advancements and best practices.

Want to know what it’s actually like to work as a holistic nurse practitioner? Learn about salary, job outlook, key responsibilities, and more below:

Work Aspect	Details
Role Description	An APRN who provides holistic care, incorporating mind, body, and spirit
Work Settings	Private practices, wellness centers, community health clinics, home health, long-term care facilities
Average Salary	$41,500 – $200,000
Job Outlook	Expected to grow 38% from 2022 to 2032, driven by an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services.
Key Responsibilities	Holistic care planning, integrative treatment, advocacy, preventative care
Skills Required	Knowledge and training of holistic and integrative care, communication, critical thinking, adaptability

Why Are Holistic Nurse Practitioners So Important?

A general practice doctor or nurse practitioner will have a strong understanding of the human body, disease, medicine, and treatment, but when it comes to understanding how the human body relates to the mind and soul of the person inside, they may fall short. Holistic nurse practitioners are often sought out by individuals who require an integrative-minded healer who understands the interworkings and inseparability of the body and spirit and works to remedy the problems that afflict both.

Learn more about Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties.

Becoming a Holistic Nurse Practitioner

As with all types of nurse practitioners, becoming a holistic nurse practitioner requires a long journey of schooling as well as becoming certified and licensed as an APRN. Below are some general timelines you can expect as you work your way toward your first job as a holistic nurse practitioner.

Stage	Description	Estimated Duration
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)	Complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, including clinical rotations.	4 years
Obtain RN Licensure	Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN).	Varies (typically a few months)
Gain Clinical Experience	Work as an RN, ideally in critical care settings, to gain relevant experience.	2-3 years
Pursue a Master's or Doctoral Degree	Enroll in a graduate program focused on holistic care	2-3 years (Master's), 3-4 years (DNP)
Obtain Certification	Pass certification exams	Varies (preparation and exam time)
Continue Professional Development	Engage in ongoing education, renew certifications, and stay current in the field.	Continuous throughout career

Step 1: HNP Education Requirements and Training

The first step to becoming a holistic nurse practitioner is to obtain a graduate degree — either a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). An MSN will take two years, while a DNP will take 4 to 6 years if you haven’t already completed a Bachelor of Science degree (BSN) program. If you have an associate’s degree in nursing and a current RN license, you can also consider an RN to MSN program. This bridge program allows you to complete both BSN and MSN coursework in an accelerated timeframe.

Educational Prerequisites

While exact requirements will vary from school to school, enrollment requirements for an MSN-level nursing degree are generally the same. To apply you’ll need:

Undergrad Nursing Degree: A BSN is standard, or an ADN if you are enrolling in an RN to MSN program
Minimum GPA: Usually 3.0 or higher
Prerequisite Courses: Completion of courses like statistics, anatomy, and physiology
Letters of Recommendation: From nursing supervisors or faculty
Clinical Nursing Experience: 1-2 years of experience, often in a relevant field

Step 2: HNP Examination, Licensure, and Certification

Apart from your education, getting licensed and certified as a holistic nurse practitioner is equally important. This allows you to work in the field and look for work legally. Licensing also ensures that you’ve met the minimum requirements for practice as set out by the state board.

The first step is to obtain an RN license, which requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Following this, gaining clinical experience as an RN is crucial, as it provides the practical skills and knowledge necessary for advanced practice.

While there aren’t typically formal tracks for graduate-level holistic nurse practitioner programs, students can choose to focus on incorporating holistic principles into patient care, blending conventional medicine with complementary therapies. Once the graduate degree is completed, the nurse can seek certification through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) or other relevant bodies, such as the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy (INCA). These certifications, such as the Holistic Nursing Certification (HN-BC) or Advanced Holistic Nurse Board Certification (AHN-BC), validate the practitioner’s expertise in holistic care and are often required by employers. You’ll also need to update your RN license to an APRN license. Continuous education and recertification are also necessary to maintain certification and stay current with the latest practices in holistic nursing.

Step 3: Finding a Job and Career Outlook

Once you’re officially licensed as an APRN and you have the proper credentials, the next step is to start looking for work. Because of the nursing shortage, employers such as hospitals, medical centers, and clinics are desperately exhausting every avenue they can to secure staffing. Fortunately for new nurse practitioners, this means you’ll not only be able to seek higher-paying holistic nurse practitioner opportunities, but you’ll also have an easier time finding them. The projected job outlook for nurse practitioners reflects this. The BLS estimates a 45% growth for nurse practitioners within the next ten years.

Many nursing programs provide networking and placement services within their curriculum. If you’re not hired when you’ve secured licensing, you can try finding positions via online job boards or in person.

Working Conditions

Holistic nurse practitioners work in medical facilities that emphasize a holistic approach to healthcare or at least make room for their niche level of care. Their working conditions can vary depending on the setting, which may include hospitals, clinics, private practices, wellness centers, or even patients’ homes. In these environments, HNPs typically work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, incorporating alternative and complementary therapies alongside conventional medical treatments.

The nature of their work often requires a flexible and adaptive approach, as they must tailor care plans to the individual needs of each patient. This can involve longer patient interactions, which may be more emotionally and mentally demanding but also more fulfilling, as HNPs focus on building strong, therapeutic relationships.

Holistic Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities & Duties

Your day-to-day role as a holistic nurse practitioner can vary depending on your workplace, but in general, you’ll likely be expected to:

Conduct comprehensive assessments considering physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Develop and implement individualized care plans that incorporate both conventional and holistic treatments.
Educate patients on lifestyle changes, preventive care, and self-care practices.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide integrated care.
Utilize alternative therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mindfulness techniques such as meditation.
Advocate for patient-centered care that respects the individual’s values and beliefs.
Monitor and adjust treatment plans based on patient progress and feedback.

Holistic Nurse Practitioner Salary & Employment

Holistic care can be an incredibly specialized and niche field, and the pay of a holistic nurse practitioner reflects this. According to ZipRecruiter, holistic nurse practitioners make between $100,000 – $200,000 on average in yearly salary. This is dependent on many factors, including where you’re located. The following states are currently the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners: