Fields of Work in Anthroposophic Nursing

Anthroposophic nursing is practiced in approximately 20 countries worldwide. Following further education, anthroposophic nurses primarily work in hospitals, nursing homes, institutions for special needs education and social therapy, outpatient care services, medical practices, Waldorf schools, and nursing practices.

How is Anthroposophic Nursing Organized Globally?

Since 2000, the "International Forum for Anthroposophic Nursing (IFAN)" has existed. Approximately 30 representatives of anthroposophic nursing initiatives from around the world meet annually at the Goetheanum to discuss the following topics:

• Continuing education and advanced training
• Professional and spiritual deepening and developments
• Organization of nursing conferences at the Goetheanum
• Organization of online events
• Translation of specialist literature

IFAN is coordinated by Rolf Heine and an internationally staffed steering committee and is funded by the International Council of Anthroposophic Nursing Associations and contributions from the Medical Section. It sees itself as a department of the Medical Section.

National professional associations for Anthroposophic Nursing exist in currently 10 countries. They have joined together to form the "International Council of Anthroposophic Nursing Associations (ICANA)."

Further education in Anthroposophic Nursing is generally organized by national professional associations. They are recognized through the IKAM accreditation process based on a handbook. The handbook meets the criteria of the WHO Benchmarks for Anthroposophic Medicine.

Currently, advanced training and continuing education in Anthroposophic Nursing are available in 20 countries. Additionally, in Germany, five state-certified training institutions offer basic nursing education with an anthroposophic orientation.

The advanced training program for becoming an Expert in Anthroposophic Nursing comprises 730 teaching units and meets the WHO Benchmarks for Training in Anthroposophic Medicine. The framework for this training is outlined in a dedicated handbook.

The training curriculum includes, among other topics:

• Anthroposophic understanding of the human being and health
• Compresses and applications
• Rhythmic embrocations
• Nursing attitudes and self-care

Further handbooks detail the training of laypersons in home care and the continuing education of nursing assistants.