Introduction The American Holistic Nurses Association or AHNA (2014) states that Florence Nightingale, who subscribed to the philosophy that care focused on unity, wellness and the interaction between human beings and their environment, is widely considered as one of the pioneer holistic nurses. But what exactly is holistic nursing? Is its definition and application different from how Nightingale understood and practiced it? As the AHNA (2014) continues to afford, holistic nursing can be defined as “all practice by nurses that involves healing of the whole person as its goal.” This practice, as the AHNA (2014) continues to state, recognizes the entirety of the human being in regards to the interconnectedness of the body, spirit, mind, emotion,
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Every nurse, as Mariano (2007) affords, has the right to utilize whatever nursing theory they see fit s it applies to each individual patient. However, as Mariano (2007) continues to state, it is common for most holistic nurses to apply the theory of human caring by Jean Watson, the theory of health as expanding consciousness by Margaret Newman, the humanistic nursing theory by Loretta Zderad, among others. All these theories and their application relate to scientific research and it is, therefore, imperative for nurses to practice their application competently and ethically with the patient’s wellbeing as center thought. Dossey & Keegan (2013) also provide that scientific research is also applied by nurses in holistic practice in the provision of therapies such as “doing” and “being.” The first therapy is characterized by modern forms of medication and procedures of patient care, while the latter therapy is characterized by the use of consciousness through medication, prayer, imagery and the individual …show more content…
The care process does not only focus on the physical healing of the patient as it pertains to their medical condition, rather, it also focuses on how the patient cognitively perceives the ailment. Additionally, the care process also encompasses the effects of the illness on the patient’s family, relationships; the patients cultural and spiritual values pertaining to treatment; and the overall meaning of the whole experience to the patient. In this regard, the care process in holistic nursing is often characterized by interventions that promote peace, comfort, healing, and above all, a subjective state of well-being (Mariano,
Every nurse, as Mariano (2007) affords, has the right to utilize whatever nursing theory they see fit s it applies to each individual patient. However, as Mariano (2007) continues to state, it is common for most holistic nurses to apply the theory of human caring by Jean Watson, the theory of health as expanding consciousness by Margaret Newman, the humanistic nursing theory by Loretta Zderad, among others. All these theories and their application relate to scientific research and it is, therefore, imperative for nurses to practice their application competently and ethically with the patient’s wellbeing as center thought. Dossey & Keegan (2013) also provide that scientific research is also applied by nurses in holistic practice in the provision of therapies such as “doing” and “being.” The first therapy is characterized by modern forms of medication and procedures of patient care, while the latter therapy is characterized by the use of consciousness through medication, prayer, imagery and the individual …show more content…
The care process does not only focus on the physical healing of the patient as it pertains to their medical condition, rather, it also focuses on how the patient cognitively perceives the ailment. Additionally, the care process also encompasses the effects of the illness on the patient’s family, relationships; the patients cultural and spiritual values pertaining to treatment; and the overall meaning of the whole experience to the patient. In this regard, the care process in holistic nursing is often characterized by interventions that promote peace, comfort, healing, and above all, a subjective state of well-being (Mariano,