Attributes of Holistic Nursing - Essay Example

The holistic nurse (HN), therefore, catalyses and channels the healing process by respecting individual encounters about health, health beliefs and ideals. The caring process attends to the physiological, psychological and spiritual needs of the patients contrary to traditional treatment methods. The HN supplements and enriches the nursing practice and consequently enables individuals to achieve their maximum healing potential (Mariano, 2007). 

The HN addresses the principles of respect and holism. Human beings differ from one individual to the other. The HN recognizes the totality of an individual’s (body, mind, emotion, and spirit) and their connections to the environment (culture, belief systems, relationships, and context).

The second principle is choice and autonomy. Health is an equilibrium and improvement of well-being and not just the absence of disease. Therefore, the key focus is on health promotion, prevention of diseases, health restoration, and relief of symptoms. The HN acknowledges that health is dynamic and constantly changes from a state of well-being to illness. Therefore, the HN empowers the clients to make the right choices to promote their health.

The third attribute in HN practice is autonomy. Nursing practice is a science that uses theory, critical thinking, reflection, and research. The nurse is to respect and give the clients the freedom to make their choices regarding their health irrespective of their knowledge and experiences.

The final attribute is empathy and compassion where the HNs put themselves into the patients’ situations. However, this does not warrant the nurse to sympathize with the patient’s situation. 

The holistic art of nursing stipulates nurses should integrate care, responsibility and deliver spiritual care in nursing. Therefore, the nurse should develop an awareness of all individuals as well as their associations with others and the environment to aid in the course of healing (Mariano, 2007). Holistic nursing practice is a speciality because it has a philosophy, a body of knowledge, and an advancing set of nursing skills.

Holistic nursing stems from five main values that summarize the principles of the speciality.

The HNs recognize intricate human health experiences, and the dynamic associations of health, illness, and wellness. They appreciate healing as the desired outcome of the practice of nursing. Their practice has scientific foundations (theory, research, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and reflection).

To provide care, HNs recognize the entirety of the human being. The biopsychosocial aspects (physical, spiritual, functional, psychosocial, mental, emotional, cultural, and sexual aspects) are integral to the practice. The holistic process entails six steps occurring concurrently: assessment, diagnosis (pattern, problem and need recognition), expected outcomes, planning of care, implementation, and evaluation (Shives, 2012).

These are diverse treatments and practices used together with regular medicine to increase comfort, restore the health of the body, mind, and spirit, and increase coping mechanisms. The treatments also reduce stress and improve the client’s well-being. They include natural products, which are natural substances like herbal medicines, vitamins, minerals, probiotics in yoghurts, and other natural products. Most are available over the counter as dietary supplements.

Mind-body practices, which focus on the communication between the brain and body to use the mind to influence bodily performance and encourage health, are important. Manipulative practices focus mainly on body structures and systems, including the bones, soft tissues, circulatory, and lymphatic systems. The two frequently used therapies in this category are spinal treatments and body massage.

The HN’s communication ensures that the patient feels the presence of the nurse as dependable, caring and gentle. The HN recognizes the importance of context in understanding a patient’s health experience since the foundation of holistic nursing practice is assisting individuals and finding meaning in their experiences (Shives, 2012).

HNs possess an understanding of a wide range of norms and healthcare practices, beliefs, and values concerning individuals, families, communities, races, spiritualities, and upbringings. Holistic nurses provide much-needed information to individuals on health promotion topics such as healthy lifestyles and reducing risky behaviour (Shives, 2012).

Holistic nurses endeavour to attain harmony and balance in their lives and assist others to do the same. HNs create healing environments for themselves by letting go of self-destructive behavior and attitudes thereby acting as role models to others (Shives, 2012).

The speciality practice of holistic nursing is still developing. Therefore, holistic nurses should educate others from the nursing field, other disciplines and the public. Education should focus on the role and advantages of holistic nursing in direct practice, education, management or research.