~ What is Holistic Nursing? ~

Holistic nursing embraces all nursing which has as its goal the
enhancement of healing the whole person from birth to death.
Holistic nursing recognizes that there are two views regarding
holism: that holism involves identifying the interrelationships of
the bio-psycho-social-spiritual dimensions of the person,
recognizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; and
that holism involves understanding the individual as a unitary
whole in mutual process with the environment. Holistic nursing
responds to both views, believing that the goals of nursing can be
achieved within either framework.

The holistic nurse is an instrument of healing and a facilitator in
the healing process. Holistic nurses honor the individual's
subjective experience about health, health beliefs, and values. To
become therapeutic partners with individuals, families, and
communities, holistic nursing practice draws on nursing knowledge,
theories, research, expertise, intuition, and creativity. Holistic
nursing practice encourages peer review of professional practice in
various clinical settings and integrates knowledge of current
professional standards, laws, and regulations governing nursing
practice.

Practicing holistic nursing requires nurses to integrate self-care,
self-responsibility, spirituality, and reflection in their lives. This
may lead the nurse to greater awareness of the interconnectedness
with self, others, nature, and
God/Life-Force/Absolute/Transcendent. This awareness may further
enhance the nurses' understanding of all individuals and their
relationships to the human and global community, and permits
nurses to use this awareness to facilitate the healing process.