Best Online Holistic Nursing Programs

Holistic nursing treats the whole patient: physical condition, plus emotional and spiritual wellbeing and environmental influences. Online holistic nursing tracks tend to cost less than on-campus options and let you keep working while you study, with clinical hours completed in person.

Top Online Holistic Nursing Programs

Duquesne University

Duquesne builds holistic nursing into all of its programs, not just its holistic certification track, covering both the theory and the specific modalities. Available holistic-focused programs include adult-gerontology acute care NP, executive nurse leadership and healthcare management, family care NP, forensic nursing, nurse education, and psychiatric-mental health NP.

• Programs: BSN, MSN, post-master's certificate, DNP, PhD
• Campus: Pittsburgh, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Admission requirements: BSN or MSN, current unencumbered RN license, undergraduate statistics with a 2.0 GPA or a graduate course with a 3.0 GPA
• Minimum time commitment: 30 months for NP certificate programs
• Onsite requirements: No
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.5%

Florida Atlantic University

FAU's advanced holistic nursing program is offered as an MSN or a post-graduate certificate. It prepares nurses to deliver mind-body integrative care, with courses in assessment, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, nursing theory, and holistic modalities. Each student's background is evaluated to set curriculum and clinical needs.

• Programs: MSN or post-graduate certificate, advanced holistic nursing
• Campus: Boca Raton, FL
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Admission requirements: BSN, 3.0 GPA for final 60 hours (or GRE/MAT scores), basic statistics course, bachelor's-level nursing research credits, RN license, criminal background check
• Minimum time commitment: 24 months
• Onsite requirements: No
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 92%
• Median earnings two years after graduation: $90,060 for master's graduates (College Scorecard)

What Holistic Nurses Do

Holistic nursing treats more than the physical condition. The American Holistic Nurses Association defines it as "all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal," managing physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing along with environmental factors.

Alongside standard medical treatment, care may include massage, hypnosis, meditation, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, plus stress management and wellness coaching. Holistic nurses work in acute care hospitals, hospice and home care, outpatient facilities, physicians' offices, and colleges and universities.

The BLS does not track nursing specialties separately. For reference, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024, and the median for nurse practitioners was $129,210. Pay varies by setting, location, and credentials.

What to Look For in a Program

Before enrolling, research programs against your goals. Key factors:

• Admission requirements. Knowing what's required, and preparing materials early, gives you the best shot at acceptance.
• Curriculum. Core coursework sets the standards and goals of the program and should prepare you for the work you actually want to do.
• Clinical experience. Online programs include supervised clinical components for hands-on experience. Some help with placement; others let you choose your own site.
• Accreditation. This confirms the program meets national standards. It also affects financial aid eligibility, graduate-school acceptance, and licensure.
• NCLEX pass rate. A first-time pass rate of 90% or higher signals a strong program.
• Graduation rate. Shows the share of students who finish on time, a useful quality check.
• Online format. Confirm the delivery model fits your schedule and learning style.

Admission Requirements

Requirements vary by undergraduate and graduate program.

Undergraduate: completed application, high school diploma or GED, prerequisite courses in chemistry, biology, and math, SAT or Test of Essential Academic Skills, and a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0.

Graduate: completed application, BSN from an accredited program, official transcripts, active RN license, CPR certification, current resume, personal statement, two to three recommendation letters, nursing experience, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Programs also typically require a background check, immunization verification, and proof of health insurance.

Why Accreditation Matters

Choosing an accredited program protects you in several ways. Accreditation guarantees a common quality standard, keeps you eligible for federal financial aid, and ensures your degree is recognized by graduate programs and employers. Some state boards grant licensure only to graduates of accredited institutions, and accredited schools are more likely to teach current theory and practice.

Paying for Your Program

Weigh program length, in-state versus out-of-state tuition, and whether you can keep working while enrolled. Financial aid options for nurses include scholarships and grants, federal and private loans, and federally funded work-study programs.

How Long Programs Take

Length depends on the degree. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) takes about two years, a BSN about four, and an MSN roughly two years beyond the BSN.

Frequently Asked Questions

What therapies do holistic nurses use? Beyond standard medical care: acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, breathing techniques, meditation, hydrotherapy, hypnosis, balneotherapy, Eastern healing practices, and stress-management and wellness coaching.

What education do you need? An associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing, plus an active RN license and bedside experience. Holistic NPs carry more responsibility and a wider scope than nurses with a BSN or ADN. Certification through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation can improve job prospects, with levels from holistic nurse board certified up to advanced practice holistic nurse board certified.

Is demand growing? Yes. Rising interest in complementary and alternative medicine has increased demand for holistic nursing, as more patients seek care that addresses body, mind, and spirit.

What does holistic care look like in practice? It can appear in almost any patient encounter. One example: a nurse using massage therapy with a chemotherapy patient to help them cope with the stress of treatment.