AMERICAN HOLISTIC NURSES ASSOCIATION
AHNA: Our Relationship with Healing Touch International
By: Jeanne Crawford MA, MPH, Executive Director, American Holistic Nurses Association, February 2008.
The relationship between the American Holistic Nursing Association (AHNA) and Healing Touch is a long, rich and happy one. The continuing nursing education offering, the Healing Touch Certificate Program, was developed within the AHNA education committee which was chaired by Dorothea Hover-Kramer. Janet Mentgen, who brought her healing practices comprised of work from diverse healers, was a member of the education committee.
This work was expanded to include specific behavioral objectives, content and reference materials, and formatting for weekend teaching, bringing the course to national continuing education standards. The national networks of the AHNA afforded the organizational structure for rapid dissemination of the courses.
In 1992, AHNA educators began developing criteria for certification in Healing Touch, with the first AHNA Healing Touch certification awarded in October 1993. This certification remained in effect through AHNA until it was transferred to Healing Touch International in 1996.
As Healing Touch grew exponentially, and many non nurses pursued training and certification, it became apparent that Healing Touch needed its own professional organization to provide certification to not only nurses, but to all the wonderful non nurse advocates and practitioners of Healing Touch. In order to maintain the warm connection between Healing Touch and AHNA, it was decided that Healing Touch International would apply to become one of AHNA’s Endorsed Programs in 1997.
A long and somewhat arduous process is required to attain AHNA endorsement, including a rigorous peer-review process with final approval of the AHNA Leadership Council. At this time only 11 programs are endorsed by AHNA, one being the HTI Healing Touch Certificate Program which had originated in AHNA.
AHNA Endorsement
AHNA Endorsed Programs are continuing nursing education (CNE) programs that must conform to the highest standards in holistic education and that present specific content in holistic nursing and the complementary healing modalities that leads to a certificate. Each offering must offer content based on a well-developed body of knowledge consistent with the philosophy, mission, and purpose of the AHNA and the AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice. Endorsed programs must offer 30 or more contact hours, and include two or more modules.
About AHNA
The American Holistic Nurses Association was founded in 1981 and over the last twenty seven years has grown into a dynamic, thriving organization of about 3600 members. AHNA is the definitive voice for holistic nursing, and promotes the education of nurses, other healthcare professionals, and the public in all aspects of holistic caring and healing.
In December of 2006, Holistic Nursing was officially recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA) as a nursing specialty with a defined scope and standards of practice, acknowledging holistic nursing’s unique contribution to the health and healing of people and society. Standing behind this achievement was the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA). AHNA submitted a 76-page document to the ANA that clearly describes holistic nursing as a focused area of nursing practice.
Specialty status provides holistic nurses with clarity and a foundation for their practice, and strengthens the voice of the entire profession. Specialty status gives holistic nursing legitimacy within the nursing profession and credibility in the eyes of the health care world. Holistic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice helps us provide a clear description of who we are, and helps us identify our practice: specialty status helps us better articulate who we are to nurses, other health care professionals and the public.
AHNA welcomes all holistic heath care advocates and practitioners. We welcome you to visit our website at www.AHNA.org and join us in our continuing celebration of all holistic care and healing.
© 1997-2008 Healing Touch International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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