Integrative nursing is way of being, knowing and doing that advances the health and wellbeing of people, families and communities through caring and healing relationships. It is a whole person and whole systems perspective that includes integrative (complementary) therapies and healing practices, and focuses on health promotion, lifestyle change, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.

The Principles of Integrated Nursing:

• Human beings are whole systems inseparable from their environments.
• Human beings have the innate capacity for health and wellbeing across all dimensions (bodymindspirit).
• Nature has healing and restorative properties that contribute to health and wellbeing.
• Integrative nursing is patient-centered and relationship-based.
• Integrative nursing is informed by evidence and uses the full range of therapeutic modalities to support and augment the healing process, moving from least intensive and invasive to more, depending on need and context.
• Integrative nursing focuses on the health and wellbeing of caregivers as well as those they serve.

The University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing, in collaboration with the Center for Spirituality & Healing, offers the nation’s first Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Integrative Health and Healing. Nurses at the advance practice level in integrative health and healing are prepared to provide leadership and work within collaborative teams across a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics and health centers, long-term care facilities, community health programs, schools and corporate/business environments.

The Integrative Health and Healing area of study is offered in a blended format that includes on-line learning as well as clinical and face-to-face intensives and provides a foundation of knowledge and experience in the following areas:
• optimal healing environments
• botanical medicine
• clinical aromatherapy
• mind/body healing
• functional nutrition
• energy healing
• health coaching
• self-care
• acupressure
• guided imagery

Admissions
Applications are reviewed once per year. The application priority deadline is November 1. After this date, applications will be considered on a space-available basis. Applicants are required to have one year of clinical nursing experience prior to beginning a practicum course.

George Fellowship Opportunity
Students entering their final year of the program are eligible to apply for a fellowship supported by the George Family Foundation. The George Fellowship is awarded to high potential leaders and enables them to pursue transformative learning opportunities that augment academic coursework and clinical practica. Fellowship applications are due in late March. 

Learn more about the Doctor of Nursing Practice.