Certification in Holistic Nursing

* International candidates who are not planning on working in the United States may submit an RN license from their country. A US license is required if the applicant plans to seek employment in the US.

** Holistic nursing is not setting dependent but rather is based on the nurse’s philosophy which guides their practice. If the nurse facilitates health, wellness, and well-being and plans care and interventions that integrate the client’s mind-body-spirit then she/he/they is/are practicing Holistic Nursing. In summary, holistic nursing is not using healing or integrative therapies such as aromatherapy or energy work BUT how you show up as a nurse when working with people. Many holistic nurses use healing therapies but that is not what defines them as holistic nurses. It is their way of thinking and being not doing that demonstrates holistic nursing practice. Holistic nurses work in all settings and with all populations. If this is how you think about people and nursing and have met the hours required then you meet the practice requirement.

*** All international candidates with an RN license are eligible to sit for the HN-BC examination. Applicants wanting to sit for a higher level examination must submit documentation showing that their educational program is equivalent to the educational requirement of the examination level being sought. Questions regarding this process can be directed to ahncc@flash.net.

Holistic Nursing CE Requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual to prepare for the exam. The two primary resources are the Core Practice Competencies of Holistic Nursing and the AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice. Examination items are developed to test the Core Practice Competencies of Holistic Nursing.

The basic competencies may be found as an appendix in the Core Essentials for Basic Holistic Nursing. The advanced competencies may be found as an appendix in the Core Essentials for Advanced Holistic Nursing. To obtain AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing click here.

Only nurses certified by AHNCC may use the designated credentials. Nurses may NOT use the credential when the nurse has:

• Not completed the Certification or Recertification Process consistent with the level of competence;
• A restricted, inactive, or withdrawn license;
• Requested inactive status; or
• Certification has been withdrawn by AHNCC.

PLEASE NOTE:

AHNCC is excited to announce that we have moved to C-NET for our testing management organization. We are pleased to offer new services to applicants at no additional cost.
Handbooks, Practice Tests, and Applications are now available. Flyer
See links below.

Additional services to be offered to our applicants include:

• practice test fees have been reduced to $65;
• year-round testing;
• once approved, a three-month window for testing versus a two-week testing session;
• immediate notification of examination results.