CERTIFICATE and DIPLOMA IN HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE
PART-TIME:
CERTIFICATE: 34-weeks including three on-site 8-day seminars at Taruna
(pre-requisite to Diploma programme)
DIPLOMA: over 2 years with four on-site 10-day seminars at Taruna
INTRODUCTION
The anthroposophic approach to health and illness was given by Rudolf Steiner PhD. when Dr Ita Wegman
asked him how contemporary medical science could take up the questions of that time. In 1922, young
doctors, nurses and therapists were looking for a spiritual perspective to their work.
The collaborative work that began with this question made use of new insights into the kingdoms of nature
for the preparation of medicines. It brought knowledge of the dynamic human constitution in the balance
between health and illness. Many practical suggestions were given for applying external remedies in the form
of massage, bath therapy and nursing practices. The curative use of the Arts was developed in health. This
resulted in an emergence of a variety of artistic therapies including eurythmy, music, speech and the visual
arts.
Everything that Rudolf Steiner, together with Dr Ita Wegman, developed on the basis of Spiritual Science,
relates to the healing forces in the human being, activating spiritual creativity and leading the soul back to her
cosmic union with nature. This union happens through the new way of preparing the medicines and through
working with the Arts where both are applied as a continuation of the natural processes.
Taruna offers a range of educational programmes from professional development to encouraging home
nursing care. These programmes are in response to a request for a multi-disciplinary health programme for
clinically active health practitioners. A question confronting health practice today is how to meet the human
being in a holistic way appropriate for the times. Anthroposophy offers a dynamic orientation whereby health
practitioners in any clinical setting can meet cultural and spiritual diversity through a new understanding.
Anthroposophy is a path of knowledge that seeks to lead
the spiritual in the human being to
the spiritual in the universe.
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2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
Your Career Pathway
Clinically active in
therapeutic modalities
Certificate
in
Holistic Healthcare
(one year part-time)
Employment
(for registered nurses only)
Diploma
in
Holistic Healthcare
(Anthroposophic Nursing Aotearoa)
(two years part-time)
Employment
Anthroposophic nursing knowledge and expertise enhances clinical work when integrated into current
nursing practice.
Throughout New Zealand and Australia there is a demand for complementary health care and therapeutic
work. There are opportunities for registered nurses to gain employment as anthroposophic nurses.
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2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMME
These programmes are unique as the only formal
English-speaking anthroposophic nurses’ course in
the world. The human being in health and illness is
responsive to therapeutic care. In this programme
insights from an understanding of the natural world
inform a range of clinical treatments. Spiritual
scientific research renews a working with the
wisdom of traditional health practices and creates
bridges to the wide range of complementary and
alternative modalities.
Anthroposophic nursing offers a new dimension by
extending the art and science of nursing. The
human being is seen as having a physical body that
is permeated with living forces, an emotional and
psychological expression and also a unique spiritual
identity that reveals the individual biography. The
nurse honours the freedom of every person,
acknowledging that the healing process ultimately
rests within that individual.

Develop the capacity to work as a member
of a therapeutic team within the
anthroposophic model;

Plan, implement and assess anthroposophic
nursing
care
through
demonstrated
expertise in the provision of external
therapies;

Apply knowledge of healing plants and
substances in nursing practice;

Pursue further research into anthroposophic
nursing;

Demonstrate therapeutic reflective practice;

Participate in a preceptor programme
towards registration as an anthroposophic
nurse with ANANZ.
The programmes are delivered at the Homestead
campus of Taruna in Havelock North, Hawkes Bay.
The anthroposophic nurse works out of her scope of
nursing practice as a therapeutic advocate assisting
in the restoration of wholeness, balance and health.
The education programme for the anthroposophic
nurse is personally challenging and confronting,
awakening intuitive skills and enthusiasm that gives
the individual the capacity to find a true
relationship to the vocation of nursing.
Based on a century of development in Europe,
anthroposophic nursing is blossoming in New
Zealand as nurses seek a fuller renewed way of
meeting their nursing work. This encompassing
experience supports our heartfelt nursing practice.
At the completion of this training pathway the
student will be able to:

Extend
registered
practice
with
anthroposophic
nursing
maintaining
currency and expertise in competencies;

Assess and interpret health and pathology in
relation to an anthroposophic model of the
human being;
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Map showing placement of Taruna campuses
The Certificate programme is NZQA-accredited at
Level 4 (although written and delivered at Level 5-6
standard) and domiciled New Zealand residents
may apply for Student Loans.
The Diploma in Holistic Healthcare has been
written and delivered to NZQA Level 7 standard.
Taruna is unable to gain NZQA accreditation for this
programme due to current legal restrictions related
to nursing education providers.
Taruna continues to work toward possible pathways
towards gaining accreditation for the Diploma in the
future. Participants are unable to receive Student
Loans, but may be able to receive sponsorship.
Please enquire with the Programme Director.
2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The Diploma in Holistic Healthcare is a three year
programme which includes as its first year the
Certificate in Holistic Healthcare. The first year is
open to qualified health professionals who meet
the entry criteria and Years Two and Three are
restricted to registered nurses.
Illness as destiny and karma

Thresholds of birth and death

Fundamental physiology

The four bodies of the human being

The 4 elements/temperaments

Pathology of the four fold

The three fold processes of the human beings

Soul activity – thinking/feeling/willing

Pathology of the three fold in polarity

The 7 life processes

Soul types
Be better able to help patients explore the
meaning of their illness;

Organs as archetypes

Pathology of organs
Be better able to support patients in being
responsible for their wellness;

The 12 senses

Embryology and human development
Have evolved a contemporary understanding of
the human being that integrates a spiritual
dimension;

Evolution of consciousness

Seven year phases

0 – 21 years – physical development

21 – 42 years – soul development

42 – old age – spiritual development
This programme is delivered around three seven
day seminars a year, complemented by
independent study undertaken at home.
At the end of the programme as a graduate you will:

Have learnt a range of new external treatments
that can be incorporated into your clinical work;

Have a deepened relationship to healing plants
and their qualities;



Anthroposophic Perspective - Health and Illness

Stage 1:
Certificate in Holistic Healthcare
(40 credits, Level 4).

Overview of the themes covered over the three years
of the programmes:
Be able to bring theory and skills that enables
more effective meeting patients holistic health
needs (physical, soul, spiritual).
Anthroposophic Nursing Context
Stage 2: (Years 2 and 3) Diploma in Holistic Healthcare
(40 credits per year, Level 7)
Each year is based on a mixture of on-campus
seminars (total 21 days per year) and self-directed
home-based study.
As a guide to the number of hours in studying, there
are a notional 10 hours allocated to each credit,
with 40 credits totalling 400 hours of study per
year. Depending on your prior knowledge, skills and
learning style, this may vary. The total hours include
the time spent on-campus at seminars, so the
suggested home-based study hours to meet the
theory and clinical-based requirements associated
with the programme are about 7 hours per week.
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
Life journey – past, present and the future

Awakening to ‘Self’

Healing streams

Approaches to health and illness

Healing through rhythm

The inner path and the Nurses’ Meditation

Encounter / conscious meeting

The gesture and quality of the therapeutic
relationship

Nursing archetype

‘Self’ as therapeutic tool
2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
each programme. Credits for the Academic Record
require 100% attendance at seminars, active
personal participation and satisfactory completion
of assignments.
Anthroposophic Nursing Practice


Healing Substances:
Medicinal plant families

Qualities of healing plants

Oil formation processes

Pharmaceutical warmth processes

Metals/minerals

Mistletoe therapy

Nutrition

Clinical Practice:
Phenomenological observation towards reflective
practice


Nursing support and intervention through the
lifespan

Creating therapeutic space

Establishing therapeutic community

Practice management across health settings

Planning and implementation

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Advocacy and education


Clinical Treatments:
Substance compresses, inhalations, footbaths

Rhythmical body oiling

Hydrotherapy

Organ massage and pentagram therapy
At the successful completion of the first Certificate
year and its requirements you will be issued with
the Certificate in Holistic Healthcare.
This Certificate is registered with NZQA as a unique
‘local course’; credits are not unit standards and will
not appear on the NQF Record of learning.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
For entry into the Certificate in Holistic Healthcare,
you should be a qualified health professional in
current clinical practice.
NB: Admission to the programme is at the
discretion of the Faculty Carrying Group.
Applicants for the Diploma in Holistic Healthcare
have to be New Zealand registered nurses, or an
international equivalent. See the Nursing Council
website: www.nursingcouncil.org.nz
All tuition blocks at Taruna include daily artistic
activities such as singing, painting, speech,
eurythmy/movement and active self-reflective
processes.
Record of Studies
At the end of each programme you will be issued
with an Academic Record listing the seminars and
your personal performance.
The Programme Director will keep attendance
records and along with the Faculty Carrying Group
will give verbal feedback and make written reports.
You are also expected to give evaluative feedback at
the end of each seminar, as well as at the end of
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At the successful completion of the second and
third years’ Diploma programme and its
requirements you will be issued with the Diploma
in Holistic Healthcare.
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All applicants to Taruna College are required to
provide a biographical outline, two appropriately
qualified confidential references and to make
declarations regarding their health and any criminal
convictions.
All those applicants for whom English is not a first language
must provide an International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) results card and have achieved an overall
band score of not less than 6.0. Where IELTS is not available,
an equivalent test of English must be provided. For further
clarification of this please contact Taruna.
Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be
accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
Applicants are also encouraged to develop familiarity in
the underlying principles of anthroposophy. Workshops
and study groups are held in most main centres in New
Zealand.
2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
HOW TO ENROL
Certificate in Holistic Healthcare
New Zealand citizens and residents: $2,201 NZD (inc GST)
(including Australian citizens who are resident in New Zealand
APPLY
for the full duration of the programme)
by filling in and sending an
Application Form with biography, CV
and photo
International students: $4,663 NZD (inc GST)
Diploma in Holistic Healthcare
All students: $2,704 NZD (inc GST) per year for each of
the two years.
ACCEPTED
These fees include a $50 enrolment and administration
charge and a refundable library bond of $50 and also
cover course readings and handouts, study texts
(through the programme’s library) and therapy and
art/craft supplies used on-site during the seminars.
We ask all participants to make a koha donation of $5
per day for which Taruna will provide morning and
afternoon tea while studying on site.
Programme participants are responsible for travel and
accommodation costs involved in attending the
seminars.
ACCEPTANCE PACK
Contract with Invoice of Fees,
Programme Handbook and
Academic Guide received
FEES MUST BE PAID 2 WEEKS
BEFORE FIRST SEMINAR BEGINS
Recognition of Prior Learning
WELCOME PACK
Recognition of prior learning is a process of awarding
credit points for current knowledge and skills gained
through formal or informal training and education,
work experience or life experiences.
Seminar Handbook with Timetable,
Readings and Glossary received with
Welcome Letter
Programme Dates 2017
An applicant may be awarded credit where it can be
satisfactorily demonstrated that the prior learning
matches the learning for a module, block or unit.
All dates are yet to be confirmed.
Please refer to the Student Guide for further
information and details.
Attendance at these seminars is compulsory and
there is an expectation of study in between the
seminars of approximately 10 hours per week.
Financial Assistance
As the Certificate programme only is approved by
NZQA, student loans and allowances are available to New
Zealand citizens and residents through application to
Costs of Study 2017
Taruna receives funding for the first year (Certificate),
which enables student fees to be subsidised. There is
no funding for Years Two and Three (Diploma), and as
such the annual fee is higher.
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StudyLink, either online www.studylink.govt.nz or by
telephone 0800 88 99 00. Please apply early to help
avoid payment delays! Crystal Bridge may also be
approached for loans; contact ketrimvin@xtra.co.nz
2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
Student Support
The Faculty Carrying Group will provide learning
support. During the off-campus components of the
programme the Programme Director co-ordinates
support to students.
Taruna is a signatory to the Code of Practice for
the Pastoral Care of International Students.
Please read the Taruna Handbook for more
information about support for domestic and
international students.
FACULTY
The Faculty consists of a Faculty Carrying Group and
a variety of specialist consultant tutors, many of
whom are national leaders in their field of
expertise, provide support and knowledge during
the seminars. The Faculty Carrying Group are
Anthroposophic Nurse Specialist and are
members of the International Forum of
Anthroposophic Nurses.
Michelle Vette: Programme Director RN Cert
Anthroposophic Nursing, Cert CBE, PG Dip Health Science,
Masters Candidate
Michelle is the coordinator for Taruna’s Health
Faculty. The opportunity to bring the
anthroposophic health perspective alongside
current pictures is also part of Michelle’s work life
in an anthroposophic nurse-led clinic at Weleda.
Supporting families and child and women’s health
has been a strong focus. Michelle enjoys working
in adult education especially responding to the
questions about ourselves and our relationship
to ourselves, each other and health.
health to both professionals and caregivers. She is
also a faculty carrying group member of the Art of
Health programme and is passionate about art,
music and travel as well as the mysteries of the plant
world.
Jocelyn Freeman: RN, Cert Child & Adolescent Health, Cert
Anthroposophic Nursing
Jocelyn has 30 years of experience in nursing
working in primary health care, and as a school
nurse for Taikura Steiner School. She was the cofounder of the first anthroposophic nursing
programme in NZ, and founded and led Taruna’s
Art of Health programme. Jocelyn is currently a
Practice Nurse with Palliative Care special interest,
anthroposophic nurse
therapist
and
biography consultant.
Deborah Bednarek: RN, Cert Anthroposophic Nursing, PG
Dip Health Science, Master of Nursing Candidate
Deborah works in a primary health setting providing
a holistic nursing service that integrates
anthroposophic nursing care and therapies. She has
been a coordinator of two anthroposophic
therapeutic residential retreats in Hawkes Bay and
is currently undertaking research for her Master of
Nursing
degree.
Particular
interests
are
anthroposophic nursing in New Zealand and its
relationship to international colleagues and how to
successfully collaborate with all healthcare
colleagues to understand and deliver real holistic
care in the contemporary context. She is currently
coordinator of the Anthroposophic Nurses
Association in New Zealand (ANANZ).
Kristina Friedlander: RN, Cert Anthroposophic Nursing
Kristina works as an anthroposophic nurse
therapist at Hohepa Home School
for
children with disabilities and in
independent nursing practice. She has worked in
anthroposophic medical settings both in New
Zealand and overseas both in hospitals and the
community. Kristina is an experienced adult
educator in bringing a revitalised picture of
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2017 Holistic Health Prospectus
Certificate in Holistic Healthcare that she has been
doing in 2010 provided some good chances to catch
up with family and friends when she came back for the
seminars.
TESTIMONIALS
Alice Peters
2006 Certificate in Art
of Health Graduate,
2008 Graduate Diploma in
Anthroposophic Nursing
(renamed Diploma in
Holistic Healthcare)
Alice Peters was in hot pursuit of the Graduate
Diploma in Anthroposophic Nursing – so much so that
even before it was being formally offered by Taruna,
Alice travelled to New Zealand to attend a nursing
conference, visited Taruna, sat in on another course
(The Art of Health), ended up doing that course and
has never looked back!
Alice whole-heartedly embraces the Diploma
course calling it “educational and spiritual
nourishment” though that doesn’t mean all has
been smooth sailing. The art was at first
challenging for Alice – “I don’t think of myself
as artistic so it was hard.” Now, three years on,
Alice says she has freed up and understands the
role of art more. In an integrated approach to
learning, the study of different therapeutic herbs
includes “getting to know the plant” through
drawing. “I do really love drawing the plants - it’s
like a little meditation.”
Alice is a practicing mid-wife in the public health
sector in Sydney. “There were six of us from
Australia on this course.” As the only student from
Sydney, for Alice, doing the Diploma keeps her in
regular contact with a rich professional network. “It
has changed the way I view things and think.” For
example, this has changed the type of specific
guidance Alice gives parents with regard to caring
for their babies.
In recommending the course Alice says that there
are many ways to apply what she has learned at work
and at home. “It’s even good to apply in your own
family and social circle.”
Studying at Taruna has helped Alice ‘get over’ her
dislike of formal education. “I love the rhythm of the
day and the quality of teaching is really excellent.”
“It’s a totally new way to learn” Alice says, “so
nourishing and enriching”.
Wynnie is doing the certificate out of self-interest and
says what she has learned not only integrates into any
sphere of nursing but on a personal level as
well. “Emergency departments are crazy. No-one wants
to be there. You can make that smooth or rough so
you’re really quite fortunate I think to be able to work in
that capacity. It’s a bit of an honour.” As well as
enjoying the pace and variety, Wynnie finds emergency
medicine quite problem solving. “I think there’s a real
opportunity in emergency medicine to be thinking
clinically and not just task orientated. It’s more to do
with having that critical analysis thinking involved and
building rapport with patients quickly.”
She describes the course
content as ‘life learning’. “It’s
life skills to understand the
world around you and the
people in it more holistically. It
gives you a framework to hang
the pictures of what you’re
seeing onto.” Wynnie has
enjoyed discovering how to
better understand people and
herself including how to better utilize her skills or whole
self as opposed to a physical self. She describes herself
as feeling ‘quite alone’ in parts of her journey, “but then
it makes you really double check that it is something that
you want to be doing because you’re not just doing it
because other people are doing it.”
When asked to reflect at the end of the final seminar
Wynnie thoughtfully commented “that it’s really
effortless and so warm. And kind of a bit of a relief to
come into this group of people we now know quite well
after three seminars. To come here and have the tutors,
all incredible women, carrying this impulse and just to
spend a whole week accepting and knowing that
spirituality is in fact part of our life and then ‘let’s work
with it’. How wonderful and supportive it was to step
into this group and go ‘yeah that’s right I’m not alone’.
Ceridwyn (Wynnie) Freeman
Is a fourth year nurse in the emergency department
at Alfred Hospital, Melbourne’s major trauma
centre. Although she now lives in Melbourne
Wynnie still calls Hawkes Bay home and the
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2017 Holistic Health Prospectus