Flagship program
The original nurse coach certificate — the foundation every specialty program builds on.
Not sure which fits?
Talk it through with Admissions.
A 20-minute call to match your license, schedule and goals to the right program.
Not sure you qualify?
RN, LPN/LVN and internationally-educated nurses all have a path.
Licensure and where you trained both factor in. Admissions can confirm your route.
You became a nurse to heal, not just to manage symptoms.
Become a Nurse Coach without leaving nursing, and help the people you care for make changes that last. A 7-month program for RNs and NPs, self-paced within a cohort, leading to Nurse Coach (NC-BC) board-certification eligibility.
In today’s healthcare system, burnout is real, compassion fatigue is common, and many nurses feel disconnected from their deeper purpose.
At INCA, we believe that the future of healthcare depends on reconnecting with the heart of healing. The Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program offers a transformative path back to joy, connection, and professional fulfillment.
We bridge evidence-based nursing science with mind-body-spirit wellness techniques, preparing you to:
INCA is an ANCC-accredited provider of nursing continuing professional development, and Level 1 Foundations is formally endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA).
ANCC Accredited Provider. INCA is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).
AHNA Endorsed Program. Level 1 Integrative Nurse Coach® Foundations is formally endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), affirming our commitment to holistic nursing excellence and integrity.
These recognitions mean the curriculum meets national standards for quality, rigor, and professional relevance.
INCA’s founders developed the Theory of Integrative Nurse Coaching, wrote the first Nurse Coaching textbook, and helped secure CPT® codes for health and well-being coaching.
INCCP graduates practice in all 50 U.S. states and 21 countries on 6 continents.
Our alumni lead wellness initiatives, chronic disease management programs, organizational health coaching services, and integrative health initiatives worldwide.
Choosing INCA connects you to a global community of nursing leaders transforming healthcare systems, communities, and lives.
Every INCA faculty member holds an advanced degree and is a practicing board-certified Nurse Coach with decades of clinical, leadership, and holistic practice experience.
Faculty remain active contributors to professional nursing, coaching, and integrative health research.
Students benefit from close mentorship in small groups, personalized supervision, and access to a lifetime alumni network.
Our faculty are educators and also authors, researchers, and mentors invested in your success. Meet the faculty.
Nurse Coaching is both a profession and a calling. Graduates report rekindled passion for nursing, expanded leadership and entrepreneurial opportunities, and greater fulfillment.
Our graduates report:
Becoming an Integrative Nurse Coach® with INCA is a transformational journey, one that reawakens the healer, leader, and advocate within every nurse.
Graduation is only the beginning: lifetime access to the INCA Alumni Community, standing discounts on specialty programs, and continued learning and leadership opportunities.
INCA remains a lifelong partner in your professional growth and impact.
A detailed look at the Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program, Tips for Choosing a Nurse Coaching Program, Board Certification Options, Career Paths and more!
Every track prepares you for Nurse Coach Board Certification and Holistic Nurse Board Certification. The difference is how far beyond certification you want to go.
MOST AFFORDABLE
Everything you need to get board certified as a Nurse Coach, Holistic Nurse, and Health & Wellness Nurse Coach
$4,300 one-time
Flexible Monthly Payment Plan available
A complete board certification pathway, backed by ANCC accreditation, expert faculty, and built-in supervision.
MOST POPULAR
Board certification plus your choice of one Level 4 course, to launch your practice or lead within organizations
$4,900 one-time
Flexible Monthly Payment Plan available
For nurses who want to become board certified and put Nurse Coaching into action, whether building a private practice or leading coaching initiatives within healthcare organizations.
The full program
The full INCCP experience: board certification, both Level 4 courses, the bonus course, and a one-to-one career pathway meeting with faculty.
$5,500 one-time
Flexible Monthly Payment Plan available
For nurses who want the complete INCA experience: every level, every tool, and personalized faculty guidance to start Nurse Coaching with confidence.
Every track includes board certification eligibility, expert faculty, and lifetime alumni access to materials.
| Certification | IMPLEMENTATION | EXPANSION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1: Foundations (90 Contact Hours) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Level 2: Practicum (156 Contact Hours) Includes built-in coaching supervision hours required for board certification | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Level 3: Nurse Coach and Holistic Nurse Board Certification Review Courses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NC-BC & HN-BC (HWNC-BC) Board Certification Eligibility | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nurse Coaching Administrative Form Templates & Validated Peer-Reviewed Assessment Tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alumni Community Hub, Lifetime Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alumni Discounts on INCA Specialty Courses | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Level 4 Nurse Coaching in Practice courses 40 contact hours each ① Launching Your Nurse Coaching Business & Private Practice ② Integrating Nurse Coaching into Organizations and Communities | – | Choose 1 | Both Included |
| Bonus Course: Integrative Nurse Coaching Interventions™ | – | – | ✓ |
| Priority Access to New INCA Specialty Programs | – | – | ✓ |
| 1:1 Career Pathway Meeting with Faculty | ✓ | ||
| Tuition | $4,300 | $4,900 | $5,500 |
| Total Contact Hours | 294 | 334 | 374+ |
Already enrolled? Current INCCP students, and graduates within 90 days of finishing Practicum, can move to a pathway with Level 4 for $600 per step. See pathway upgrades
FLEXIBILITY BUILT IN
Not sure which track yet? Start with Certification and upgrade later by paying the difference. Your investment grows with you, no penalty, no re-enrollment. Want to see how the INCCP compares with our specialty courses? Compare all INCA programs.
INCA is committed to making the Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program accessible to all qualified nurses. Multiple payment plan options are available, including:
Customize a Monthly Auto-Charge Payment Plan to fit your budget!
Customize a plan to fit your budget. You'll recreate this plan at checkout.
DID YOU KNOW?
Over 25% of INCA students receive employer support. Our ANCC accreditation makes approval significantly easier than other programs. Download the free Employer Reimbursement Packet to get started.
💼
Over 25% of students receive support from their employers.
🎓
One full scholarship awarded each cohort based on a unique theme.
🎖️
Active-duty, veterans, and military spouses receive 10% off all INCA programs.
| Cohort | Foundations Start Date | Practicum End Date |
|---|---|---|
57 | Nov 9, 2026 | Jun 20, 2027 |
Click the Register Today button below to select your preferred track, cohort dates, and begin your journey with INCA.
Have questions or prefer to speak with an Integrative Nurse Coach Alumni and Board Certified Nurse Coach Admissions specialist before registering?
The Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program is a transformational experience designed to support and advance your nursing profession. This journey unfolds in four thoughtfully structured levels, each building your confidence, competence, and clarity as a Nurse Coach.
Follow this clear visual timeline that guides you from foundational learning, through a mentored practicum experience, into preparation for board certification, and onward to powerful bonus courses that expand your Nurse Coaching toolkit.
Explore each phase below to see how your journey unfolds step by step.
14 weeksIncluded in all pathways
90 contact hours
Experience self-transformation while connecting with peers and your expert Faculty Mentor. Learn Nurse Coaching skills, tools, and competencies, and understand the power of Nurse Coaching.
16 weeksIncluded in all pathways
156 contact hours
Apply your Nurse Coaching skills with pro bono clients and attend live Faculty Mentor meetings to refine your professional Nurse Coaching practice.
Self-pacedIncluded in all pathways
24 contact hours each
Solidify your knowledge, gain exam strategies, and prepare for board certification with two review courses: the Nurse Coach Board Certification Review Course for the NC-BC® exam and the Holistic Nurse Board Certification Review Course for the HN-BC® exam.
Self-pacedIncluded in Implementation (one) and Expansion (both)
40 contact hours each
Put your certification to work with one course or both:
Self-pacedExpansion pathway only · $1,200 value
Expand your practice toolkit with a broad range of complementary modalities that Nurse Coaches can integrate into client work to promote greater healing, awareness, and lifestyle transformation.
The Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program (INCCP) empowers nurses to transform their practice through a holistic approach, integrating mind-body-spirit wellness techniques.
With 294 contact hours across Levels 1 to 3, this program from an ANCC-accredited provider of nursing continuing professional development is designed to deepen your expertise in Nurse Coaching and prepare you for board certification.
Learn to lead with compassion, build meaningful patient connections, and advance your career in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
If you’re passionate about improving patient outcomes and guiding patients on their wellness journeys, this program is for you. INCCP is ideal for nurses who want to integrate holistic, mind-body-spirit techniques into their practice, helping patients achieve long-term health and well-being.
Whether you’re an RN or an APN, a seasoned nurse leader or a recent graduate, this program empowers you to make a lasting impact.
Expand your nursing practice through our 100% online program, where you’ll connect with a small group of like-minded nurses in an interactive, supportive environment. Each group is guided by an expert, practicing board-certified Nurse Coach faculty mentor.
Engage in live video calls, vibrant discussion forums, and comprehensive video lectures. You’ll deepen your knowledge through reflective activities, written assignments, and peer and client coaching sessions.
Our program also integrates awareness practices and holistic approaches, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience that supports both personal & professional growth.
The Integrative Nurse Coach Academy is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Upon successful completion of Foundations and Practicum, you will meet all of the contact hour and coaching hour requirements to sit for two national Board Certifications:
Holistic Nurse Board Certified
(HN-BC)
and
Nurse Coach Board Certified
(NC-BC)
Levels 1 and 2 take about seven months: 14 weeks of Foundations, then 16 weeks of Practicum. Levels 3 and 4 are self-paced.
Contact hours: 294 for Levels 1 to 3. Each Level 4 course adds 40.
The program has four parts, plus a bonus course.
Click the tabs to learn more about each part.
The Integrative Nurse Coach® Foundations course is the first step in the Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program (INCCP).
This 90-contact-hour course establishes the core principles of nurse coaching, emphasizing holistic, mind-body-spirit approaches.
Through a blend of interactive video sessions, discussion forums, live meetings twice a month, peer coaching practice and reflective activities, you’ll explore therapeutic presence, effective communication, and integrative health practices.
The course is designed to enhance your self-awareness and professional skills, laying the groundwork for more advanced practices and a deeper connection with your patients.
Duration: 14 Weeks
Contact Hours: 90
Textbook: The Art and Science of Nurse Coaching, 2nd edition
Foundations can be taken independently (without Parts 2 or 3) but you will not be eligible for Holistic or Nurse Coach Board Certification, nor the bundle discount.
Students meet online in small groups every other week, providing a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
These sessions are led by experienced board-certified Nurse Coach faculty mentors, providing a valuable opportunity not only to discuss course content and real-world applications but also to focus on your self-development. Engaging in these discussions fosters personal growth, helping you deepen your self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
This self-development is crucial as it enhances your ability to connect with patients, understand their needs on a deeper level, and support them more effectively in their wellness journeys.
Students can choose their preferred meeting times one month before the program starts, ensuring the schedule aligns with their personal and professional commitments.
Peer coaching through video conferences, allowing you to connect with fellow students in real time. This format ensures a dynamic and engaging experience, fostering deep connections and collaborative learning.
Tailored Learning Experiences:
While prompts are provided, each peer coaching session is unique, shaped by the individual needs and goals of the participants. This flexibility allows you to practice and apply coaching techniques in a way that resonates with your personal style and the specific context of each session.
Building Confidence and Skills:
Peer coaching is an essential component of the INCCP, offering a safe space to refine your skills and receive constructive feedback. Through these sessions, you’ll build the confidence and competence necessary to effectively guide patients on their wellness journeys, making a meaningful impact in their lives.
The Integrative Nurse Coach® Practicum is the second part of the Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program (INCCP) and consists of 156 contact hours and supervised coaching dedicated to applying the foundational knowledge gained in the first course.
This hands-on, supervised experience allows you to practice and refine your coaching skills in real-world settings. Through client coaching, peer collaboration, and mentor guidance, you’ll develop the competence and confidence needed to effectively support patients in their wellness journeys.
The Practicum is essential for meeting the coaching supervision hours required for board certification, ensuring you are well-prepared for your future role as an Integrative Nurse Coach®.
Duration: 16 Weeks
Contact Hours: 156 contact hours (includes 60 supervised coaching hours required for board certification)
Textbook: The Art and Science of Nurse Coaching, 2nd edition
Students meet online in small groups every other week, providing a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
These sessions, led by experienced board-certified Nurse Coach faculty mentors, provide a collaborative environment where you can discuss your client sessions in depth, present case studies, and receive valuable feedback from your peers and mentors.
These meetings also offer opportunities to explore challenges, share insights, and refine your coaching techniques, ensuring you grow both professionally and personally as you work towards becoming a certified integrative nurse coach.
If continuing from Foundations, your group time, leader, and peers will remain the same.
During the Practicum, you are required to coach clients as part of fulfilling the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) requirements for board certification.
Securing your own clients is essential for developing your practical skills as an integrative nurse coach. However, to support you in this process, INCA has created a database of clients seeking free coaching, making it easier for you to connect with individuals ready for coaching.
You can conduct these sessions in person, over the phone, or online.
Level 3 includes two self-paced board certification review courses, 24 contact hours each. They are included in every INCCP pathway and are optional to complete.
Nurse Coach Board Certification Review Course (NC-BC®). Covers the core competencies, standards of practice, and ethical guidelines for board-certified Nurse Coaches, with insights into the exam structure and question types, so you can prepare with confidence for the NC-BC® exam.
Holistic Nurse Board Certification Review Course (HN-BC®). Reviews holistic nursing theories, integrative health modalities, and evidence-based practice to prepare you for the HN-BC® exam offered by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC).
INCCP graduates are eligible to sit for the NC-BC®, HN-BC®, and HWNC-BC® exams. See the board certification eligibility requirements for details.
Upon completing Foundations, Practicum, and the Board Certification Review Course, INCCP Implementation Pathway Students receive access to one of the below, Expansion Pathway students get access to both.
These courses provide practical, targeted education based on your unique vision for how you want to apply Nurse Coaching to your career.
Whether you aspire to start your own practice or lead change within healthcare organizations, INCA provides the next step. Read more about how graduates put Nurse Coaching into practice.
Self-paced, access provided near the end of Practicum, 40 contact hours
Launch Your Independent Nurse Coaching Practice
This course is designed for nurses who want to build and grow private, independent coaching practices.
Through practical, actionable learning modules, students are guided to establish a legal business foundation, develop a brand and message, create an online presence, and start marketing to their first clients, without overwhelm or unnecessary complexity.
Key Topics Covered:
Learning Format:
Outcomes:
This course, Launching Your Nurse Coaching Business & Private Practice, is perfect for nurses seeking autonomy, creativity, and a heart-centered private practice built on their professional values.
Learn more about Launching Your Nurse Coaching Business & Private Practice
Self-paced, access provided near the end of Practicum, 40 contact hours
Lead Change from Within Healthcare Systems
This course is designed for nurses who want to apply their coaching expertise inside healthcare organizations, leading wellness initiatives, employee health programs, and patient-centered coaching services within larger systems.
Key Topics Covered:
Learning Format:
Outcomes:
The Integrating Nurse Coaching into Organizations and Communities course is ideal for nurses passionate about institutional leadership, systemic health transformation, and team-based care.
Learn more about Integrating Nurse Coaching into Organizations and Communities
Expand Your Practice. Deepen Your Impact.
All students enrolled in the Integrative Nurse Coach® Certificate Program (INCCP) Expansion Pathway receive complimentary access to an additional self-paced course, a $1,200 value, designed to enhance their practice with an expanded holistic toolkit.
Integrative Nurse Coaching Interventions™ introduces a broad range of complementary modalities that Nurse Coaches can integrate into client work to promote greater healing, self-awareness, and lifestyle transformation.
This bonus course enriches your ability to meet the diverse needs of clients while expanding your skills beyond traditional Nurse Coaching frameworks.
This course alone is valued at $1,200, and it is included free for all INCCP Expansion Pathway students.
It is our commitment to ensuring that every graduate not only meets board certification standards but also has the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Where our graduates are leading change:
Learn more by visiting Nurse Coach Jobs Board or by listening to our alumni podcast, Integrative Nurse Coaches in ACTION!
At INCA, we prepare you for more than coaching. We prepare you for professional success.
The term Nurse Coach is a newer Nursing role to describe a Registered Nurse who has devoted additional time, energy and investment into obtaining further education and practice in developing the skills and presence to provide holistic and scientific-based health and wellness coaching, beyond their nursing school education.
Nurse Coaches are nurses who focus on enhancing the health and well-being of their clients, patients and communities.
Nurse Coaches are devoted to the art of caring and the science of Nursing and healthcare.
Nurse Coaches are uniquely positioned to provide a distinct set of health and wellness coaching skills because they are committed to incorporating Nursing and healthcare-based knowledge and wisdom into all coaching interactions.
Nurse Coaches believe that even in illness, one can find a new meaning of health and thrive in it, through all stages of life.
Uniquely, Integrative Nurse Coaches use the Theory of Integrative Nurse Coaching to guide their practice.
Yes. Many of our graduates have opened independent Nurse Coaching practices. The Implementation and Expansion pathways include Launching Your Nurse Coaching Business & Private Practice, a Level 4 course that walks you through the legal, branding, and marketing basics. You can also read our guide on how to start a Nurse Coaching business.
A nurse coach program can help you advance your nursing career by providing you with specialized skills and knowledge in coaching and patient-centered care.
Nurse coaches are in high demand in many healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Certification as a nurse coach can also increase your earning potential and expand your career opportunities.
Nurse Coaches deeply listen to uncover the stories unique to a client, and then use these stories, along with the client’s life experiences to co-create a wellness plan to fully support and honor the client’s health.
Nurse coach income varies widely based on factors such as experience, work setting, geographic location, and whether you are employed or in private practice. Some nurses use coaching to supplement their current role, while others build a full-time coaching practice.
For a detailed breakdown of earning potential and example income paths, visit our Nurse Coach Salary Guide.
Nurse Coaches work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, primary care, community health, behavioral health, integrative wellness centers, private practice, corporate wellness, and telehealth. Many nurses also blend coaching with existing clinical roles or create independent businesses that reflect their unique expertise.
Explore examples of roles and opportunities at our Nurse Coach Jobs Guide.
Complete Levels 1 and 2 of the INCCP (246 contact hours), then apply to the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) to sit for the NC-BC® exam. INCCP graduates are also eligible for the HN-BC® and HWNC-BC® exams, and Level 3 of the program includes self-paced review courses for the NC-BC® and HN-BC® exams. See our Nurse Coach board certification page and the Nurse Coach certification guide for eligibility details and steps.