Have you ever heard of cannabis nursing? It is a real thing. The meteoric rise of medical cannabis in the U.S. over the last two decades has led to an entire industry in support of patient needs. Doctors have undertaken continuing education so they can recommend cannabis. Pharmacists have been licensed to dispense cannabis in over three dozen states. And now we have nurses embracing a cannabis-based specialty.
Cannabis nursing is an officially recognized specialty recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and guided by the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) standards of care. The ACNA was officially launched in 2015. Over the last decade, they have done an incredible job of bringing nurses into the cannabis family.
Cannabis Nursing in a Nutshell
So, what is cannabis nursing? It is a nursing specialization that focuses on educating and supporting patients who choose medical cannabis to treat eligible health conditions. Patient education emphasizes the human endocannabinoid system, cannabis pharmacology, and safe cannabis consumption.
Nurses combine education with a standard nursing process that includes:
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
The process is designed to help patients integrate medical cannabis into their treatment plans. It should be noted that the ACNA standards of care take a holistic approach to treating with medical cannabis.
An Advocate in the Patient’s Corner
Although the benefits of working with a cannabis nurse are many and varied, perhaps the most appreciable benefit from the patient’s perspective is having a medically trained advocate in her corner. The conditions under which medical cannabis is appropriate can be difficult and challenging. They are made even more so by the cannabis journey itself. Having the help of a trained cannabis nurse can be a game-changer.
Imagine a patient who works with Salt Lake City’s BeehiveMed to obtain her medical cannabis card. She also consults with a licensed pharmacist at her local medical cannabis pharmacy. But neither BeehiveMed nor the pharmacist engage with her in terms of her daily care and treatment.
A cannabis nurse fills that gap. By its nature, nursing is tied intrinsically to how patients are cared for. They interact with patients on every visit to the office. In a hospital setting, interactions occur on a daily basis. A cannabis nurse can do many things for patients that are out of the reach of pharmacists and organizations like BeehiveMed. Visit BeehiveMed.
Getting Certified as a Cannabis Nurse
The process of becoming a certified cannabis nurse is pretty straightforward. Candidates must have a standard nursing license (e.g., for RN, LPN, or NP) and have passed the NCLEX exam. With those qualifications met, a nurse can then undergo the specialized education necessary for certification.
Numerous organizations offer certificate programs. They include the ACNA, the Cannabis Nurses Network, and the Medical Cannabis Institute. A typical certification program takes about 12 weeks to complete. A more intense program could take longer.
Upon completing the course, a nurse is fully certified. As yet, there is no nationally recognized certification standard, but the ACNA is working on changing that. The time will come when they will succeed, it is merely a matter of how long it takes.
Help Patients in Genuine Need
Combining a love of nursing with a passion for medical cannabis creates opportunities to help patients in genuine need. Cannabis nurses now fill vital roles left vacant by traditional nurses and doctors without significant cannabis training.
Are you a nurse searching for a different way to practice? If so, consider becoming a cannabis nurse. With so many states having legalized medical cannabis, the need for competent medical professionals is greater than ever.
