Become a Board-Certified Nurse Coach
Are you a registered nurse looking to take your patient care skills to the next level? Our Nurse Coaching Program is designed to empower you with the specialized knowledge and expertise needed to become a proficient nurse coach. As the healthcare industry continues to prioritize patient-centered care and holistic well-being, nurse coaching has emerged as a vital discipline.
Through this program, you will learn the art of insight in coaching, motivational strategies, and communication techniques to guide and empower your patients in achieving their health and wellness goals.
Join us on this transformative journey to expand your professional horizons, make a meaningful impact on the lives of your patients, and elevate your nursing career to new heights.
What does a Nurse Coach do?
Nurse Coaches are registered nurses who enhance their nursing practice with health coaching.
In addition to typical nursing practices, Nurse Coaches use structured guidance strategies from Lifestyle Health Coaching and foundational principles to improve patient health outcomes. Lifestyle Health Coaching has been shown to be clinically effective in the modification of risk factors for both healthy people and those with chronic disease 1.
Nurse Coaches are Supercharged RNs!
Who can become a Nurse Coach?
Anyone who is a registered nurse (RN) or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) can pursue a career as a nurse coach.
Nurses from various specialties and backgrounds can become nurse coaches, including:
- medical-surgical nurses
- pediatric nurses
- psychiatric nurses
- oncology nurses
- nurse practitioners
- clinical nurse specialists
- nurse educators
- nurse leaders
The key requirement is holding an active nursing license and having a passion for coaching and guiding patients toward achieving their health and wellness goals.
Requirements
NC-BC® (Nurse Coach Board Certified) and HWNC-BC® (Health and Wellness Nurse Coach Board Certified) – same exam as NC-BC – must hold AHNCC Holistic Certification
- Unrestricted, current U.S. RN license*
- Active practice as an RN for a minimum of 2 years full-time or 4,000 hours part-time within the past 5 years if you have a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing.
- Active practice as an RN for a minimum of 4 years full-time or 8,000 hours part-time within the past 7 years if you have an Associate or Diploma Degree in Nursing.
- A degree in Nursing from an accredited academic institution (International candidates must have their Nursing degree evaluated to determine that their program is equivalent to the US Nursing degree program.)
- Completion of a minimum of 60 CNEs, accrued over the past 3 years, that include content consistent with the Nurse Coach Core Values and Nurse Coach Competencies. If using academic credit, it must be completed through an accredited higher education institution. A grade of “C” or higher or a grade of “pass” in a pass/fail system must be achieved. 1 quarter credit = 10 contact hours 1-semester credit = 15 contact hours**
- 60 hours of coaching experience that has been mentored and/or supervised by a Certified Nurse Coach Supervisor AND Validation letter from a Certified Nurse Coach.***
- Must agree to the terms contained in the Candidate’s Agreement with AHNCC and complete and sign the Application attesting to the agreement.
This is a general overview of the requirements; please refer to the AHNCC website for the most up-to-date listing of the requirements.
Our Healing the Whole Person Program
Our “Healing the Whole Person” program prepares nurses to sit for the AHNCC Board Certification exam.
To meet the requirements to sit for the Nurse Coach Board Certification, 3 courses from our program are required: C101, C102 & C103.
These 3 courses award the 60 CNEs & 60 Supervised Coaching Hours (each individual course awards 20 CNEs).
We recommend our full 4-course program as it supplies 80 CNEs which can be used for other needs and as a bonus receive our Holistic Health Coach certificate!
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Nurse Coach:
Expanded Skills and Knowledge
Obtaining a nurse coaching certification allows you to develop and expand your skills beyond traditional nursing practices. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of coaching techniques, motivational interviewing, behavior change strategies, and holistic approaches to healthcare.
Enhanced Patient-Centered Care
As a certified nurse coach, you’ll have the expertise to provide patient-centered care that focuses on the individual’s unique goals, needs, and preferences. You’ll be able to empower patients, encourage self-management, and support them in making positive changes to improve their health and well-being.
Improved Communication and Collaboration
Nurse coaching training enhances your communication and collaboration skills. You’ll develop effective listening techniques, empathy, and the ability to build strong therapeutic relationships with patients. These skills can improve interactions with colleagues and interdisciplinary teams and contribute to a collaborative healthcare environment.
Expanded Career Opportunities
Having a nurse coaching certification opens up new career opportunities in various healthcare settings. You may pursue roles such as a nurse coach, health coach, wellness consultant, or work in private practice. Additionally, nurse coaching skills can be applied in clinical practice, education, research, and leadership positions.
Personal and Professional Growth
Through the journey of becoming a certified nurse coach, you’ll experience personal and professional growth. You’ll develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. These qualities not only benefit your patients but also contribute to your overall well-being and satisfaction as a nurse.
Evidence-Based Practice
Nurse coaching is rooted in evidence-based practice, integrating the latest research and best practices. By obtaining a nurse coaching certification, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver evidence-based coaching interventions, ensuring the effectiveness and safety of your practice.
How to get your Nurse Coaching Certificate
If you meet the program requirements, then the process is pretty simple.
First, you’ll want to enroll in an accepted Nurse Coaching training program, like our Healing the Whole Person online course.
The full 4-course program is designed to be completed within 16 weeks of starting the program (the 3-course program would take 12 weeks). The courses are fully online with virtual meetings and are self-paced.
Along with your nursing credentials, the program will provide the required CEs to qualify to sit for the exam.
The certifying organization is AHNCC. There is a Certification Examination fee (regular fee $425). Discounted fees are available for members of the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), Health Ministries Association (HMA), and Nurses Organization of Veteran Affairs (NOVA).
++As a bonus, if you complete our full 4-course program, you can also obtain our Advancing Nurse Coaching – Holistic Health Coaching Certificate.
Once you pass the exam, AHNCC will award you your certificate!
Ready to start?
You may register on our registration page, and if you have any questions about the program, we are available through chat, or you can message and request a call.
Have questions?
We can answer them!
Enroll in our 100% online,
self-paced course anytime.
References:
- Clinical Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Coaching
- AHNCC Nurse Coaching Core Essentials