Objectives: To identify key educational and scientific tasks for the incorporation of complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) into conventional health care.
Data sources: Journal articles, government and special health report, book chapters, and curriculum guidebooks.
Conclusion: Nursing education programs are rapidly adding curricula on the practice and research of CAM therapies. The next priority is to facilitate consistency and quality of educational programs by developing standards of practice and a core curriculum. Educational standards agreed upon by the nursing profession and set at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels will help guide the safe and effective integration of CAM into conventional health care.
Implications for nursing practice: Setting educational standards and developing consistent curricula for CAM will help students emerge from academic programs prepared for safe and effective practice and with skills to evaluate the effectiveness and participate in the research of CAM therapies.