HN-BC study plan
HN-BC · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Holistic Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics
Define holistic nursing and differentiate it from biomedical-model care using your own words in a written statement
Contrast the core constructs of at least six major holistic nursing theories (energy fields, pattern, unitary being, caring, comfort, culture care)
Map each theorist's constructs to a corresponding assessment question you would actually ask a client
Summarize the provisions of the ANA Code of Ethics and the holistic nursing scope and standards that govern scope of practice and accountability
Apply a four-step ethical decision-making model to one simulated ethical dilemma involving client autonomy and complementary therapy
Your checkpoint
One-page visual concept map linking six holistic theories to assessment cues, plus a 500-word ethics case analysis; score at least 80% on a self-made 40-question Domain 1 quiz.
Holistic Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics & Holistic Caring Process
Distinguish the phases of the holistic caring process (assessment, diagnosis, outcomes, planning, implementation, evaluation) from the conventional nursing process
Identify holistic assessment domains, including physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural, energetic, and environmental patterns
Practice pattern recognition by writing three holistic nursing diagnoses with supporting subjective and objective cues
Explain how nurse coaching and health promotion differ from advice-giving within the caring process
Defend, in writing, one care decision using both an ethical principle and a holistic theoretical framework
Your checkpoint
A 1,200-word holistic assessment case write-up with three prioritized diagnoses, supporting cues, and a cited ethical rationale.
Holistic Caring Process
Construct three complete holistic care plans with measurable client-centered outcomes
Select and justify at least four holistic interventions per plan, including mind-body, biofield-informed, and lifestyle strategies within scope of practice
Design evaluation criteria that capture client-reported and observable change, not just lab values
Identify referral triggers and interprofessional collaboration points for each plan
Critique two sample care plans for missing holistic domains and rewrite the gaps
Your checkpoint
Three completed holistic care plans scored against a self-built rubric with at least 12 of 15 criteria met.
Holistic Caring Process & Communication, Therapeutic Relationship, and Healing Environment
Define the components of a therapeutic relationship: presence, attunement, empathy, boundaries, and mutuality
Differentiate therapeutic from social communication and identify at least five boundary-crossing red flags
Demonstrate three communication skills such as reflective listening, open-ended questioning, and teach-back in a simulated client encounter
Describe how light, sound, temperature, privacy, and personal space shape the healing environment
Explain the physiological stress-response rationale for environment-based interventions
Your checkpoint
A recorded or scripted 10-minute simulated client dialogue self-scored on a 10-item therapeutic communication rubric, plus a 50-question mixed quiz across Domains 1-3 at 80% or higher.
Cultural Diversity, Health Equity, and Education
Conduct a structured cultural and health-belief assessment for two distinct client scenarios
Compare at least four cultural assessment frameworks and select the one you can apply most reliably
Identify structural and social determinants that create inequity in the scenarios you built
Draft a client teaching plan that accounts for health literacy level, language access, and cultural preferences
Match at least five local or national health-equity resources to identified client needs
Your checkpoint
A cultural assessment plus a one-page client teaching plan for each of two scenarios, reviewed against a plain-language readability check and a 10-item equity checklist.
Research, Evidence-Informed Practice, and Leadership
Formulate two answerable clinical questions in PICO format drawn from your own practice
Appraise one quantitative and one qualitative study for design, sample, rigor, and applicability to holistic practice
Rank sources of evidence by strength and explain where expert opinion and client preference fit
Outline a plan for leading a small practice change, including stakeholders, barriers, and a measurable outcome
Describe how evidence-informed holistic practice differs from ritual or tradition-based practice
Your checkpoint
A two-page critical appraisal summary with a PICO question, strength-of-evidence rating, and a three-step practice-change proposal.
Holistic Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics & Holistic Caring Process & Communication, Therapeutic Relationship, and Healing Environment & Cultural Diversity, Health Equity, and Education
Integrate ethics, caring process, communication, and cultural domains in 100 mixed practice questions
Log every missed item with the underlying concept, not just the correct answer
Re-teach your three weakest concepts aloud or in writing as if instructing a colleague
Redo all previously missed items and confirm a second-attempt accuracy of at least 90%
Refine your personal decision-making framework so it can flex across all four integrated domains
Your checkpoint
A 100-question mixed exam at 80% or higher plus a written error log with re-teaching notes for your three weakest concepts.
Research, Evidence-Informed Practice, and Leadership & Holistic Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics
Complete a timed full-length 150-question simulation under exam conditions
Analyze results by domain and rank your remaining gaps by point impact
Review ethics, scope, and standards content once more at a fast pace
Write a one-page exam-day strategy covering pacing, item-flagging, and anxiety regulation
Confirm readiness with a second-attempt accuracy of at least 90% on all flagged items
Your checkpoint
A timed 150-question simulation scored at 85% or higher with a domain score report and a one-page strategy sheet.
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on the Domain 1 self-quiz and submit the holistic assessment case write-up with three defensible diagnoses.
Week 4: Score 80% or higher on the 50-question Domains 1-3 mixed quiz and meet at least 8 of 10 criteria on the therapeutic communication rubric.
Week 6: Complete both critical appraisals and produce two PICO questions judged answerable with a defined search strategy.
Week 8: Score 85% or higher on the timed 150-question simulation with no domain falling below 75%.