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Herzing University

You can apply what you learn in this program by introducing holistic and integrative strategies into the nursing work you already do. Whether you work in clinical practice, education, or leadership, the curriculum is designed to help you strengthen whole-person assessment, person-centered communication, culturally responsive care, and reflective leadership within your current professional scope.

In practice, that may include building stronger therapeutic relationships, supporting healing environments, using trauma-responsive and relationship-centered approaches, and helping patients engage more actively in their care. You may also apply concepts related to mind-body science, nutrition and plant-based medicine, holistic modalities, self-care, and resilience to support more comprehensive care planning and patient education where appropriate.

For nurses in education or leadership roles, the program can help you promote more human-centered care, guide behavior change and reflection, support team well-being, and integrate holistic nursing principles into teaching, care delivery, and everyday decision-making. The goal is not to replace the nursing role you already have, but to enhance it with a broader whole-person perspective.

The next start date for both the bachelor’s and master’s degree program is September 8th.

We offer rolling admissions with 6 start dates per year and no application deadlines. You can apply now and prepare to start soon!
 

Tuition, fees, and expenses varies widely by program. After determining your program of interest, you can use our Tuition Wizard to find an initial estimate.

You are never alone! We offer many possibilities for financial aid for those who qualify, including scholarships and grants, loan options, VA/military benefits, and much more.

Availability of evening or night classes varies by program and class type. General education courses can typically be completed online on your schedule. In some cases, certain classwork or exams may require a set log-in time.

We work hard to fully prepare you for success in your work and provide as much flexibility as possible to achieve the right school-life balance. Our admissions team can help you determine how much coursework you can potentially complete in nights and evenings.

Several recent studies support the claim that yes, holistic and integrative nursing methods can have a measurable positive effect on patient outcomes: 

• A 2025 randomized controlled trial from BMC Nursing concluded holistic nurse coaching was “found to significantly enhance diabetes self-management and empowerment” based on long-term impact on HbA1c levels (blood sugar)
• A 2026 research study from Clinical Hypertension found integrative, multimodal nursing interventions such as yoga, adherence education, and self-monitoring significantly improved blood pressure and reduced stress for middle-aged adults with uncontrolled hypertension
• A 2026 cohort study from Scientific Reports concludes a holistic nursing model can offer “significant advantages” for ICU patients, including reducing serious adverse reactions and improved cooperation between doctors and nurses

The body of peer-reviewed literature affirming holistic nursing practices grows as these methods continue to be adopted and measured in discrete use cases. 

As a registered nurse with formal education in holistic and integrative nursing, you can be at the forefront of an impactful new vector of whole-person patient care.

Holistic care in nursing means caring for the whole person, not only medically treating the illness or injury at hand. It considers physical health, but also emotional, spiritual, cultural, and relational needs, then uses that fuller picture to guide care. In holistic nursing, the goal is to support healing, well-being, and a care experience that reflects the person’s values and overall health goals.

Holistic or integrative nursing care is broader and more person-centered than what might be considered the default approach to nursing. 

A more traditional or routine approach may focus mainly on immediate clinical issues, such as medications, vital signs, procedures, safety, and discharge steps. 

Holistic care includes those essentials, but goes further by asking questions like: 

• How is this person coping emotionally? 
• What beliefs or cultural factors matter in their care? 
• What stress, trauma, relationships, or lifestyle factors may affect healing? 
• What support will help them feel whole, heard, and engaged?

In practice, that can mean using whole-person assessment, building a stronger therapeutic relationship, creating a healing environment, and drawing on evidence-informed integrative strategies when appropriate. It also emphasizes cultural humility, trauma-responsive care, and support for self-care and resilience. 

So, the difference is not that holistic nursing replaces standard nursing care. It adds depth to it by treating the patient as a complete person rather than a set of symptoms.

No, you don’t need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to begin working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Current licensed registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may apply for our BSN to DNP program in a specialization of their choosing and begin working toward a DNP right away – without having to earn an MSN first.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind:

1. If your primary goal is to pursue a specialization such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), earning a DNP is not currently required. You can choose an MSN-FNP program and earn the master’s degree education you need to become an FNP.
2. It takes more time to complete a BSN to DNP curriculum compared to an MSN alternative. In the case of FNP, the MSN-FNP program takes 20 months compared to 32 months in the BSN to DNP-FNP program.¹
3. If your primary goal is to earn the terminal degree in nursing and reach the top of the field, a BSN to DNP program offers less time and lower cost than earning an MSN and DNP separately. Once again using the case of FNP, a BSN to DNP-FNP program takes less time (32 months) than earning an MSN-FNP and DNP separately (20 months each = 40 total months).

Contact our admissions team and we can help you determine what degree pathway is right for your lifestyle and overall career goals.

1. All program length estimates reflect average time to complete for full-time students and may vary. We strive to help you learn at a pace that’s right for you.

By completing our post master’s certificate program, you will earn a foundational education in holistic and integrative nursing methods which help you prepare for key nursing coaching certifications from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC):

• AHNCC Nurse Coach (NC-BC)
• AHNCC Health and Wellness Nurse Coach (HWNC-BC); this certification also requires a holistic nurse certification as a prerequisite

After earning education and potentially certification, keep your job search broad, looking for listings such as “RN Health and Wellness Coach,” “Care Manager,” “Clinical Educator,” and other types of general references. Naming conventions, as well as educational/experience requirements, can vary significantly by employer in a developing nursing specialty.

Yes, the didactic coursework in the Finance program can be completed 100% online through Herzing's virtual learning environment. 

If students choose the internship option in place of a capstone project, internship requirements may vary by state and site, so students should confirm eligibility with the university.
 

Herzing University is dedicated to YOU. Here at Herzing, we are career-focused, convenient and caring. Our specialized nursing programs were designed to help you achieve the career that you want in nursing at an affordable price.

Herzing offers diploma, undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees across 8 states at 11 different campuses and our online program, so you can choose the program and location.

But don’t take our word for it! Hear from current and graduated students who agree that Herzing helped them attain their educational and career goals.