The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation offers the Only Nurse Coach Certification accredited by ABSNC

AHNCC

TOPEKA, KS, UNITED STATES, September 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- To facilitate the need to embrace and empower nursing practice's focus on health and wellness, the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) developed the Nurse Coach certification in 2012. AHNCC provides the only nationally accredited holistic nurse and nurse coach certification credentials in the USA. Since AHNCC first established the nurse coach certification process, interest in nurse coaching has continually increased.

Nurse coaches listen to their clients’ stories, helping them co-create individualized health plans; designing strategies to overcome barriers and achieve self-discovery, empowerment and a greater sense of well-being. An AHNCC certified nurse coach, utilizes communication techniques, holistic self-care approaches, and motivational interviewing to help people self-identify needs and make meaningful, sustainable lifestyle changes. Nurse coaching supports the integration of personal growth, development, and physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

AHNCC’s Nurse Coach (NC-BC) and Health and Wellness Nurse Coach (HWNC-BC) credentials use the same nurse coach examination. The difference between the two credentials is:
• Nurses who hold the holistic nursing certification, which demonstrates expertise, knowledge and skills in holism, health, wellness, wellbeing and well becoming; and are also dual certified in nurse coaching, are awarded the Health and Wellness Nurse Coach (HWNC-BC) credential.
• Nurses who do not hold a holistic nursing certification are awarded the Nurse Coach (NC-BC) credential which demonstrates knowledge, skills, expertise in advanced communications and relationship-building but not in health, wellness, and well-being.

Reasons for seeking either/ or both certification(s) include:
• Validates knowledge, skills, and expertise required for practice as a nurse coach
• Establishes minimum competency standards for the nurse coach practice
• Assures the public that the nurse coach has completed all eligibility requirements
• Recognizes nurses who have met peer reviewed professional standards
• Provides the certified nurse coach with a network of like-minded colleagues
• Establishes credibility with consumers, employers, and other stakeholders
• Encourages continued personal and professional growth consistent with nurse coaching

With a board-certified nurse coach credential (as compared to a generalist coach or health coach credential), nurses clearly identify themselves as registered nurses and are recognized as nurse specialists by many hospitals that are working to integrate holistic and healing approaches into mainstream healthcare, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet and Pathways to Excellence programs in hospitals. The AHNCC nurse coach certification and all AHNCC holistic nursing certifications are nationally accredited by ABSNC, an outside accrediting body that specializes in recognizing nursing specialties that have met rigorous standards.

The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, a 501c (6) organization, was created to advance holistic, person-centered care that emphasizes clients as the experts of their own experience, and nurses as instruments of healing, by assuming full administrative authority and sole responsibility over credentialing programs based in the values, knowledge, and skills of Holistic Nursing.

Margaret Erickson
AHNCC
+1 785-267-0943
adminasst@ahncc.org