Legal FAQs for Holistic Nurses
1. How can I be sure I am practicing legally as a holistic nurse?
As a holistic nurse, you must be licensed as a registered nurse (RN) in the state where your practice is located. Your practice is regulated by the Nurse Practice Act and the Nursing Administrative Rules (which carry the weight of the law). These laws and rules govern nursing practice throughout the United States and will vary to some extent in all states.
2. What may I do as a holistic nurse in a private practice?
What you may do in a private practice is determined by your State Nurse Practice Act, Administrative Rules and the Holistic Nurses Scope and Standards of Practice.
The role of a certified holistic nurse is a different question. It is not necessary to be certified as a holistic nurse to practice as a holistic nurse any more than it is necessary to be certified as a pediatric nurse to practice pediatric nursing. Holistic nursing is recognized by the American Nurses’ Association (ANA) a specialty practice. Professional certification represents an individual's experience and demonstrated knowledge in a profession or specialty. The American Holistic Nurses’ Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) certifies qualified nurses for holistic nursing and nurse coaching specialty practice. Click here for information regarding holistic nurse and nurse coach certification.
3. What continuing education requirements must a holistic nurse meet?
You must meet your state’s continuing education requirements for relicensure that applies to all nurses and differs from state to state. While not every state requires continuing education for relicensure, it may be required for continued competency. These requirements are usually addressed in the state's nursing law and further details such as content and reporting requirements may often be found in the state's Administrative Rules.
If you are certified as a holistic nurse, you will have additional continuing education requirements that usually more than suffice for any state requirements.
4. What licenses do I need to open a private holistic nursing practice?
A private holistic nursing practice is similar to being a private duty nurse; you will need a nursing license, which must be posted in your office. If you plan to sell products of any kind, you may also need a business license. Check with your state, county, city and nursing board to find out what licenses you need for what you plan to offer.
5. What if I want to practice complementary or integrative modalities?
Everything mentioned above applies to you. In addition, you must have adequate training in the modalities you plan to offer.
Each state has its own regulations. As one example, the Maryland Nurse Practice Act requires nurses who use complementary, alternative and integrative modalities to have “documented knowledge, judgment, skill, and competency in the application of the therapy.”
When employed by an organization, the modality used must also be consistent with the organization’s policies. In Maryland, nurses who engage in independent practice are required to “disclose to the client: the nurse’s status as a licensed nurse and the educational preparation, experiences and credentials as a therapist/practitioner of this therapy. In addition, the licensed nurse must inform the client whether this therapy is regulated by a state regulatory agency and whether uniform educational standards or requirements have been adopted by that agency.”
The Maryland statute includes eight steps the nurse must carry out to help the client be informed, such as describing the safety factors, benefits and potential interactions when using a complementary, alternative or integrative healing modality.
In the absence of state regulations that speak about the practice of complementary or integrative modalities, the Holistic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice are the sole authoritative guide.