Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Registered Nursing Practice 
BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING PO Box 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100 P (916) 322-3350 F (916) 574-8637 | www.rn.ca.gov Louise R. Bailey, MEd, RN, Executive Officer
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN REGISTERED NURSING PRACTICE
The competency of a registered nurse (RN) to perform the skills of complementary and alternative therapies begins with nursing education and ends with the safe nursing practice of those skills in such a way "that ensures the safety, comfort, personal hygiene, and protection of patients; and the performance of disease prevention and restorative measures” (B&P.§ 2725). A RN is deemed competent in complementary and alternative therapies when she/he consistently demonstrates the knowledge of complementary and alternative therapies, and performs these tasks safely. History: Complementary and alternative therapies are based on the medical systems of ancient peoples, including Egyptians, Chinese, Asian Indians, Greeks, and Native Americans. Some therapies such as osteopathy and naturopathy have evolved in the United States over the past two centuries. Still other approaches, such as bioelectromagnetic applications, are on the frontier of current scientific knowledge and understanding. Nursing Practice: The practice of nursing has traditionally espoused the concepts of systems, holistic, and humanistic theories. These theories are the essence of nursing practice and may include complementary and alternative therapies. Because of the theoretical congruence between nursing practice and the practice of complementary and alternative therapies, RNs are in a unique position to bridge the gap between conventional biomedical therapies and complementary and alternative therapies. Registered Nurses must act as advocates for their clients, and provide clients with information needed to make informed decisions about their health and health care; such information includes complementary and alternative therapies. The Nursing Practice Act (NPA)
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN REGISTERED NURSING PRACTICE
The competency of a registered nurse (RN) to perform the skills of complementary and alternative therapies begins with nursing education and ends with the safe nursing practice of those skills in such a way "that ensures the safety, comfort, personal hygiene, and protection of patients; and the performance of disease prevention and restorative measures” (B&P.§ 2725). A RN is deemed competent in complementary and alternative therapies when she/he consistently demonstrates the knowledge of complementary and alternative therapies, and performs these tasks safely. History: Complementary and alternative therapies are based on the medical systems of ancient peoples, including Egyptians, Chinese, Asian Indians, Greeks, and Native Americans. Some therapies such as osteopathy and naturopathy have evolved in the United States over the past two centuries. Still other approaches, such as bioelectromagnetic applications, are on the frontier of current scientific knowledge and understanding. Nursing Practice: The practice of nursing has traditionally espoused the concepts of systems, holistic, and humanistic theories. These theories are the essence of nursing practice and may include complementary and alternative therapies. Because of the theoretical congruence between nursing practice and the practice of complementary and alternative therapies, RNs are in a unique position to bridge the gap between conventional biomedical therapies and complementary and alternative therapies. Registered Nurses must act as advocates for their clients, and provide clients with information needed to make informed decisions about their health and health care; such information includes complementary and alternative therapies. The Nursing Practice Act (NPA)