Incorporating Alternative and Complementary Health Practices Within University-Based Nursing Education

Abstract

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing aims to fully incorporate comple mentary and alternative health philosophy and healing practices into its baccalau reate, master's and doctoral programs. A planning process (1998-99) included School of Nursing faculty, administrators, and representatives of the university's Center for Spirituality and Healing. A comprehensive course of action was devel oped that included strengthening didactic and experiential learning, offering indi vidualized plans of clinical study in a variety of modalities, improving access to an interdisciplinary graduate minor in Complementary Therapies and Healing Practic es, and encouraging faculty research initiatives and continuing education in CAM.