Understand how these two credentials relate—and how they differ in focus and function.
Both certifications reflect a shared philosophy: that nurses care for the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and environment. However, each represents a distinct aspect of holistic nursing practice.
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Holistic Nurse Board Certification (HN-BC):
Validates your understanding and application of the holistic philosophy of nursing practice. It affirms your commitment to whole-person care across any nursing role or setting. -
Nurse Coach Board Certification (NC-BC):
Focuses on the functional role of the Nurse Coach—applying structured, evidence-based coaching techniques to support clients in making lasting health and wellness changes. It requires advanced skills in communication, behavior change, and relationship-centered care.
In short:
Holistic Nursing provides the philosophical foundation, while Integrative Nurse Coaching provides the operational framework to apply it.
Both credentials are offered by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) and are often pursued together by nurses looking to lead change in clinical, community, educational, or private practice settings.