AHNA's 46th Annual Conference, June 10 - June 14, 2026 in Niagara Falls, New York
Holistic Nursing: Engaging Mother Nature’s Wisdom

Proposals relevant to holistic nursing are requested in the broad categories of practice, research, education, praxis, personal & professional development, aesthetics, nurse coaching, and advanced practice. Submissions are anticipated to reflect the conference purpose & theme.

Purpose:

The 2026 conference will unite holistic nursing scholars and practitioners from around the world to explore the transformative power of aligning with Mother Nature’s rhythms and wisdom. Through this shared journey, participants will be inspired to deepen their connection to the natural world and apply its principles to enhance both personal well-being and professional practice. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life, the conference will cultivate a global perspective on holistic health—empowering nurses to create ripples of healing within themselves, their communities, and the world at large.

 

Theme

Holistic Nursing: Engaging Mother Nature’s Wisdom
Global Wellness, Building a Holistic Future Together

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, many are seeking a return to balance, wellness, and deeper connection. This conference invites holistic nurses to lead the way—reconnecting with the timeless healing power of nature. By embracing Mother Nature’s rhythms and restorative energy, participants will discover new paths to compassionate care, resilience, and personal renewal.

Through nature-based healing practices, holistic nutrition, Indigenous knowledge, cultural traditions, and evidence-based interventions, this gathering will offer practical tools rooted in the Holistic Nursing Core Values. Attendees will explore the therapeutic roles of plants, animals, natural elements, and seasonal cycles, gaining insights into how sensory engagement and earth-centered practices can nourish mind, body, and spirit. Together, we will cultivate a more grounded, vital, and connected future for holistic nursing and global wellness.

 

Holistic Nursing Core Values
Core Value 1. Holistic Philosophies, Theories, and Ethics
Core Value 2. Holistic Nurse Self-Reflection, Self-Development and Self-Care
Core Value 3. Holistic Caring Process
Core Value 4. Holistic Communication, Therapeutic Relationship, Healing Environments, and Cultural Care
Core Value 5. Holistic Education and Research

Learning Outcomes:

1. Evaluate the role a nature connection has in fostering self-care and self-reflection practices and recognize the ethical responsibility of nurses to prioritize their own well-being to sustain their ability to deliver compassionate and effective holistic nursing care. (CV 1, 2 &3)

2. Develop a personal plan for incorporating nature-based activities into their personal and professional lives to prioritize self-care and maintain a natural healthy mind-body-spirit connection. (CV 2)

3. Interpret the interconnectedness of human health and environmental well-being as part of the holistic nurse's relationship with nature. (CV 2 & 4)

4. Identify opportunities for holistic nurses to lead transformational change in healthcare by integrating holistic ethics, evidence-based research, and education; promoting social justice; fostering healing environments; advocating for nutritional well-being; and reimagining healthcare through the lens of the interconnectedness between human health and the wisdom of Mother Nature. (CV 1, 3, 4, & 5)

5. Describe collaborative strategies with international holistic colleagues to advocate for policies and practices that promote environmental stewardship, health equity, and global wellness based on holistic nursing principles. (CV 1 & 4)

6. Reflect on personal values and beliefs about nature, global wellness, and holistic nursing ethics to enhance self-care and professional growth, leading to increased awareness of interconnectedness with self, others, nature, and the global community. (CV 1, 2, & 4)

7. Define how holistic nursing education, research, theory, ethics, and practice guide and support people to nurture themselves and each other using mother nature. (CV 1,3,4 & 5)

8. Discuss ways that transform our holistic values naturally through communication (motivational interviewing, appreciative inquiry, nurse coaching and presence) and the holistic caring process assists our clients in promoting their health and well-being. (CV 3 & 4)

9. Explore the variety of ancient healing practices rooted in Mother Nature’s wisdom across global cultures. (CV 1, 2, 3 &4)

.A wide range of topics are expected to be shared through educational presentations that may be accomplished in one or more of the following ways:

• Experiential & “How To” – Provide new skills and hands-on learning experiences that learners may take back to their practice and daily lives for immediate application.
• Successes – Share how you have successfully built on earlier foundations and incorporated lessons from history into your current practice so that learners may benefit from your experiences in forging new paths in holistic nursing.
• Focused-Dialogues – Facilitate dynamic group discussions and share how the history of nursing as a discipline and holistic nursing as a specialty practice informs contemporary holistic nursing practice. How can we, as holistic nurses, integrate the experiences of our early leaders into current practice. Together, explore the importance of remembering the past...and creating ways to take purposeful, conscious, intentional action for holistic nursing and humanity.