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Holistic nursing

The totality of a patient's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental challenges are taken into account in order for nurses to assess, diagnose and treat. Holistic nursing is not just a way of practice in the nursing profession, it is also the way of life. Holistic nurses are encouraged to self reflect, and to be self aware in their own lives, which helps their methods become more authentic. These nurses work in every type of heathcare system. Holistic nurses are also encouraged to practice mindfulness in treating their patients. This helps in that it focuses on being aware of the whole mind, body, and spirit.

History

Holistic nursing can be dated back to the winter of 1981 when the first meeting of the American Holistic nursing association took place. 78 nurses came together to share stories and discuss focusing on "wellness" rather than "illness when treating patients". A time of turmoil and frustration with conventional healthcare lead the association's founder, Charlotte McGuire, to a meeting of the American Holistic Medical Association. It was after this that she was encouraged to start a holistic group for nurses. The frustration centered around a change in the nursing field. Nurses were overworked and understaffed, which left little time for the patient. Most of the philosophy that holistic nursing is based upon comes from the ideals of Florence Nightingale. She believed that nursing was more than treating patients, it also had to deal with unity, wellness, and the interrelationship of human beings, events, and environment. . In 2006, the American Nursing Association recognized Holistic nursing as a nursing specialty.