In this extract from our Spring 2019 magazine, we heard from a number of CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) students, who told us how their decision to enrol in CNM’s Naturopathic Nutrition course changed their lives and their careers.
A Life-Changing Career
Students of CNM share their motivation
CNM students and graduates come from all walks of life, professions and backgrounds. Here, three nurses tell us how graduating in Naturopathic Nutrition at CNM has enriched their own approach to health.
“CNM’s holistic approach helped with my skin”
Paula McMeel
Prior to her enrolment on CNM’s Naturopathic Nutrition course, Paula had suffered with acne for years without understanding the underlying causes. She had unsuccessfully tried a huge amount of lotions, potions and antibiotics, so when her GP suggested yet another antibiotic and the contraceptive pill, she decided to research natural remedies instead.
Over the course of her research, she came across CNM’s Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition and attended an Open Day. “I was so amazed by the comprehensive, holistic course content that I signed up there and then, for both personal and professional reasons,” she tells us. “As a nurse and midwife, I’ve seen women struggle to get pregnant due to overweight, hormonal issues, such as thyroid, endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome, the underlying cause of my own acne problem). Pregnancy carries risks of potentially life threatening conditions like gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Postnatally, the body needs the right foods to rebuild and replenish lost nutrients and produce breast milk.”
CNM fulfilled Paula’s desire to empower women with health knowledge, whilst also obtaining an accredited qualification. She greatly appreciated the flexibility that part-time study afforded her, and says that the 200 clinical hours she undertook as part of the course enhanced her client interaction skills, giving her the confidence and know-how to set up her own practice.
:The course has been a huge benefit to my own health,” she says, “helping me to balance my hormones, reduce tiredness after nightshifts, and improve my skin. It completely changed my thinking about health. Having graduated, I am now setting up private practice as a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist, focusing on women’s health, fertility, pregnancy and post-partum issues.”
“CNM has given me so many new skills”
Ciara Harrington
Ciara decided to study nutrition on her return from Australia, as her keen interest in health had been fuelled by experiencing the Australian lifestyle. “I returned home to Ireland and continued my work as a registered mental health nurse,” she says. “I had always believed in holistic care, educating people about the importance of healthy eating in their recovery journey.”
Searching for more, she decided to attend a CNM Open Day. She explains, “listening to the speaker’s passion about food and health, I knew this would be the course for me. I was blown away by the biomedicine course content. Not only did it add to my nursing knowledge, but it also gave me a greater insight into the body as a whole; how a disease is not just a set of symptoms relating to one particular organ, but to a number of different body systems.”
Ciara was impressed by the academic and professional nature of the student clinics, and the way in which students were trained to work in a professional manner, providing the best service possible.
She is now dedicated to educating people about the importance of healthy eating. “I became a mother whilst still a CNM student,” she tells us, “and the course gave me in-depth knowledge on healthy pregnancy and optimal recovery. This has really inspired me and my goal for the future is to support women through prenatal, antenatal and postnatal care.”
“Nutrition is sometimes overlooked in fertility”.
Anita Foote
Anita always had an interest in nutrition, but she felt that there was too much confusing information out there. She wanted to enrol on a science and research-based holistic approach that she could manage within her already busy working week as a full-time fertility nurse.
She describes her reasons for choosing CNM thus: “One important point for me was not needing to complete the first year biomedicine due to my degree qualification as a registered nurse, which had already covered anatomy, pathology and physiology. This meant that, instead of three years, I only needed to complete two. Even though I had general knowledge in human biology, the in-depth analysis was stimulating. As any medical professional knows the learning never stops!”
CNM’s holistic approach also played an important role in Anita’s decision to study Naturopathic Nutrition. She says, “working in a fertility clinic, I know that nutrition is an essential but sometimes overlooked factor in both partners’ ability to conceive. As I progressed through my CNM studies, I started to use the knowledge I was learning in my own life, with my family and friends, and also in my working environment. I would highly encourage medical professionals to incorporate nutrition study into their ongoing education.”
You don’t have to be from a medical background to train at CNM. You can now study their renowned Naturopathic Nutrition Diploma in class or online. Speak to a helpful Course consultant, or book to attend CNM’s next Open Evening to find out about training in Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Natural Chef or Vegan Natural Chef.
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