If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re considering your options in the health and wellness industry.
There are many options open to you, including a Diploma in Holistic Nutrition, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and many more.
Doing research about which might suit you best is an excellent idea, so we’ve examined some of the requirements and educational factors for these careers that may weigh in your decision.
What’s The Difference Between A Naturopathic Doctor And A Holistic Nutritionist?
There are a number of differences in these two careers, including prerequisite education, time and financial investment, so we’ve broken down some of these factors for you.
There also some resource links embedded to direct you to additional, relevant information.
1. Education
When you’re looking at a career, it’s wise to look at the educational requirements.
If you feel the courses look interesting, then that’s a good start – you’ll be embedded in those topics for the rest of your career.
Start by determining if you qualify for admission to a naturopathic college.
Keep in mind that the naturopathic doctor educational path means you must have completed a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree prior to a 4‑year doctoral degree.
You’ll be following a very similar educational path as those in traditional medical school, though there are some obvious differences, as well as a significant financial investment.
For prerequisites to study as a registered holistic nutritionist you will need a high school diploma.
If you don’t have one, you can apply as a mature student if you’re 21 years of age or older, which allows almost everyone to be able to participate.
The Diploma in Holistic Nutrition qualifies you to develop a nutritional consulting practice, provide a symptomatology assessment, and make recommendations for diet, lifestyle and natural supportive formulas and remedies.
2. Scope Of Practice
Each discipline in the health and wellness field has its own scope of practice, and this is an important factor in any decision.
Read up on the Naturopathy Act in Ontario, or your related legislation in your jurisdiction to learn more about what they’re responsible for, and some of the standards of care they’re held to.
ND’s can have a wider scope of practice because of the additional years of education.
They can make a naturopathic diagnosis identifying, as the cause of an individual’s symptoms, a disease, disorder, or dysfunction that may be identified through an assessment that uses naturopathic techniques.
Depending on the province/state/country, ND’s may be able to administer injections, perform venous puncture, provide specific examination or manipulation, and prescribe designated drugs.
Throughout the diploma program at The Edison Institute Of Nutrition you will learn how to assess each person on an individual basis by evaluating their health history, medical history and creating a timeline that may impact their health concerns.
This includes their typical dietary intake going back to birth, their current state of health, lifestyle, and what their goals are.
We also teach you use a very detailed statistically correct symptom survey to assess nutrition imbalances, toxicity, glandular and organ imbalances, and metabolic imbalances.
These assessment methods will help you fine tune your client’s priorities.
You will not be qualified to diagnose disease, but other assessment options are available.
As a holistic nutritionist, you will be looking at the whole person and considering the many factors of their lifestyles and background to help them find a healthier state through nutrition and natural supportive remedies.
What’s Most Important To You?
Realistically, a choice between these two careers will likely be obvious to most people; some will want the title gained by being a doctor of naturopathy, or might be interested in being able to prescribe a wider range of treatments to treat their patients.
If you have an interest in nutrition and getting to the root of the problem, it could be very much to your benefit to look more closely into training as a registered holistic nutritionist.
The Benefits Of An Edison Institute Education
Once you’ve looked at the programs for each of these careers, it’s time to look at the institutions themselves in order to choose the right one to advance your path.
Not only does the school you choose determine the quality of the education you get, but you want to be sure you have a reputable school behind the degree or diploma you’re so proud of.
1. Make Your Own Hours
One of the benefits of Edison Institute of Nutrition is that you can complete your diploma program online.
What does this mean?
It means you can make your own hours, and work around your own schedule, whether it’s work, parenting, or other personal goals you’re also juggling.
It also means the barrier of commuting to school is removed entirely for you – all you need is a computer and an internet connection, and you can be anywhere in the world while you work your way through.
2. Industry-Leading Faculty
The faculty ARE the school – the quality of the education you get is entirely based on
the instructors the school is able to attract.
When you’re looking through schools, check out the faculty and take note of their qualifications, publications, public recognition, and previous experience.
Beyond that, do you have easy access to faculty? It doesn’t matter who’s teaching you if you never get to communicate with them outside of watching a video of theirs.
While it’s always nice to learn from the great minds of the world, you’re paying for an education so you deserve greater access to your instructors than you’d get from just watching a YouTube video.
Here at Edison, each of our faculty members has a minimum 10 years of clinical experience and a respected career in holistic nutrition, and they bring their expertise to what they teach.
3. Officially Recognized
It’s important that the school you choose is officially recognized by national associations and organizations.
These reflect the fact that their courses and outline have been audited and approved, which further certifies that your qualifications will mean something.
These recognitions also can give you access to a broader network and resources, both as a student and as an alumnus.
EIN is recognized by a number of renowned and highly respected organizations, including the Canadian Association Of Natural Nutritional Practitioners, the National Association Of Nutritional Professionals, and the International Organization Of Nutritional Consultants, among others.
4. Happy Graduates
Take note of the graduates at the school of your choosing.
This can tell you a great deal about how they respond to student feedback and success, and whether they’re engaged in the process of supporting students.
What do their graduates say about their experience? Did they appreciate it, or was it less than they hoped?
Hearing about their experience, you can get a better understanding of what your own might look like.
Contact Edison Institute Of Nutrition
At Edison Institute of Nutrition, we are very proud of the education we provide. We work hard to ensure that our students get a quality education, graduate the program, and find success in their field. Contact us now to take the next step toward your career as a holistic nutritionist.
