A qualitative study of how experienced certified holistic nurses learn to become competent practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
Artistry of holistic nursing requires practitioners to be equipped with the ability to integrate and assimilate knowledge and experience. This integrated wisdom is woven into proficiency and expertise, thus allowing for the transition to an experienced competent health care provider who can meet the complex mélange of practice. This qualitative naturalistic study was designed to explore how 10 experienced certified holistic nurses (HNCs) learned to become competent holistic nurses.


METHODS
In-depth interviews of 10 HNCs, critical incident reports, and a summative focus group.


RESULTS
(a) Disjuncture existed between the structure of traditional nursing and the need of nurses for continued personal and professional growth and development; (b) need for credibility was key to nurses becoming competent holistic nurses; (c) use of informal learning strategies to help them achieve competency; and (d) overcoming challenges emanating from the traditional system as they transitioned to becoming holistic nurses.
Sharoff
Leighsa
L
Hunter College, New York City, NY, USA.
D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires