Module 3: Holistic Nursing

CONCEPT 3: HOLISTIC NURSING This concept is taken from module 3 of block 7 entitled “General Nursing”.

3.1. Significance of the concept Holistic health views the physical, intellectual, socio-cultural, psychological and spiritual aspects of a person’s life as an integrated whole. These five aspects cannot be separated or isolated; anything that affects one aspect of a persons life also affects the other aspects. Holistic nursing is a way of being in which the nurse brings a state of harmony or balance in the body, mind and spirit connection. The goal of holistic nursing is the “Enhancement of healing the whole person from birth to death”. According to Vahid, Madineh, Leila, Brian and Fariba (2015), holistic care is a comprehensive model

This means it focuses not only on the physical ailments, but also on mental, emotional, social and often spiritual issues. Holistic nursing recognizes the totality of the human being, honours each individual’s subjective experience about health, health beliefs and values. Holism is more than certain actions performed or words spoken to a patient. Holistic care is a philosophy; it is a method to ensure care for all parts of a patient. Holistic nurses are those that recognize and treat each individual differently. Holistic nurses are often describe by patients as those nurses that “truly care”. For example, many of today’s ailments come from poor diet, high stress and poor relationships. The average nurse is often only able to deal with the effects of these things, not to source. A holistic nurse often gets to the root of the problem by addressing a patients diet habits, stress levels, family and romantic relationships and lots other aspects of a person’s life. These are the exact details that often lead up to illness, and with a holistic nurse at their side, are often investigated, issues solved, recommendations made. This will not only help with immediate symptoms such as headaches, back and body aches, pains and other issues, but helps in the long

A holistic nurse is a licensed nurse who takes a “mind-body-spirit-emotion-environment” approach to the practice of traditional nursing. Holistic nursing is based on a philosophy of living and being that is grounded in caring, relationship, and interconnectedness. A holistic nurse recognizes and integrates the principles and modalities of holistic healing into daily life and clinical practice. Holistic nursing encourages nurses to integrates self-care, self-responsibility, spirituality, and reflection in their lives. Unlike many other specialty areas, holistic nursing is practiced in all settings with individuals, families, communities, and populations throughout life span (Daniel, 2016). Holistic nursing is not specific to a particular patient/ client group, disease, setting, or population. Holistic nurses practice in a myriad of roles. No matter where holistic nursing is practiced, nurses must continually develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of their practice because holistic nursing is a way of thinking, reflecting, practicing, and of life. Holistic nursing will continue to evolve as nurses incorporate holistic principles and practices into their personal and professional lives, and as the needs of patients and society