Ruth McCaffrey DNP, ARNP FNP-BC,GNP-BC

Employment: Present Position: Director of the DNP Program at Christine E Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University.

Other Activities: AHNA Research Committee 2006-2008, AHNA Research Mentor 2006-2008, Recipient AHNA Research Award for Aroma Therapy, Director: Initiative for Intentional Health Florida Atlantic University, Editorial Board Journal of Holistic Nursing, Holistic Nurse of the Year for Palm Beach and Broward County 2008.

Position Statement: Holistic nursing is a fundamental part of nursing’s world view. Holistic nurses understand each human being as unique and complete in the moment. Providing whole person care puts holistic nurses at the forefront of modern healthcare. My goal as president elect will be to support the work of holistic nurses, to promote an understanding of holistic nursing practice, and to foster an evidence base for holistic nursing that will increase the visibility of holistic nurses across the profession. Being a member of the research committee and mentoring new researchers in holistic nursing has been very rewarding for me. My own research in the use of music, garden walking, yoga, and aroma therapy have lead me to believe that evidence for the practice of holistic nursing is essential for acceptance in the main stream of society. Advancing holistic research and evidence provides the foundation for reimbursement by insurers and other payers so that more people can benefit from these therapies. My rewarding experience as an AHNA research mentor has helped me to come to know what wonderful ideas and outstanding results are being produced by holistic nurses. As the mentoring aspect of the AHNA grows and develops partnerships between researchers, holistic nurses, and practitioners of alternative and complementary therapies can provide the public with the knowledge they need to approach their own well being. This year at the conference in Wisconsin, I will lead a discussion to formulate a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a holistic focus. The Doctor of Nursing Practice may provide holistic nurses with a credential that will aid them in promoting holism, being leaders in whole person health, and caring nation wide.  As President Elect of AHNA I would like to assist the organization to grow and prosper in the era of evidence based practice. I would like to assist AHNA become more widely known for expertise within nursing and the broader scope of health and wellbeing care.



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