Advanced Holistic Nursing Foundations

This course focuses on theoretical constructs and philosophical underpinnings ofthe holistic paradigm across the lifespan and also on the student’s self-assessment, personal growth and self-healing to develop his or her role as an advanced holistic nurse. The evolution of holism and theories of wholeness from nursing and other disciplines are investigated. Concepts of self, healing, caring, consciousness, connection, relationship, balance and transforming one’s personal pattern ofwholeness are explored and applied. The pathways between emotional perceptions and the body’s physiological responses are examined. The physiology and anatomy of the immune and neuroendocrine systems are studied. The interactions between psychosocial factors, spirituality, culture, stress, the immune, neurological and endocrine systems, and their overall relation to health, illness and disease are explored. Evidence accumulating in the field of psychoneuroimmunology is appraised and related to advanced holistic nursing practice. Pathways for self-healing are applied.