We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krista Crescenzo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Krista thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

When I look back, there were many little moments that led me to the next thing. But discovering Holistic Nursing was by far the most transformative. In 2018 I was working the evening shift as an RN on a Pediatric Rehabilitation unit. I got an email from one of my fellow nurses about a Holistic Nursing certification program. Instantly intrigued, the more I read the more I wanted to know. This definitely was different from my conventional nurse training. It was as if it was written in a foreign language that my soul could recognize as a deep truth. I had been feeling stuck for awhile, quite possibly most of my 15 year career as a nurse, and I often thought something was wrong with me. It seemed like other nurses enjoyed themselves more and were just better at nursing. I felt like an imposter. But on the day that I received the email, something opened up, my world broadened, and I could see another way. I could see another way for me! I traveled from Minnesota to Connecticut three times in nine months and it was so expansive. I had a new language, a new set of tools and friends that I could relate to on a different level. I became certified as a Holistic Nurse in 2019.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have my own practice as a Holistic Coach. I guide women into a deeper loving relationship with themselves by helping them turn down the volume on their inner critic and tune into their inner experience of their lives. They may seek me out for various reasons, but it always comes down to the relationship they have with themselves. It’s really incredible to witness a woman go from looking to the external world for validation, to then turning inward and aligning their lives from the inside out. My coaching is done virtually, so it is really flexible. I also offer in-person workshops, on topics like mindfulness and self-compassion. I enjoy combining a mixture of education, discussion and creativity into the workshops I host. One of the things I started offering this summer was something called the Mobile Art Cart. It is like a traveling art studio. I take art supplies to different places like the Farmers Market, and people are free to create what their imagination dreams of. I call myself an art enthusiast because I believe we are all born artists and I am enthusiastic about the healing that art can bring to individuals and communities. Being able to combine my coaching skills with my love of art has really been a dream!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I had thought that becoming a certified Holistic Nurse was going to be the answer to all my nursing woes, but I still found myself unsatisfied within the walls of the hospital. My coworkers were wonderful, the patients and families were amazing, but there was just something missing. I felt stuck, yet continued to show up. I know I definitely lacked confidence. In January of 2021, I was working the evening shift and lunged to prevent a patient from leaping out of bed. I saved him but injured my back. I took some time off and when I returned to work I was chatting with a couple of my coworkers. My coworker asked me “Is there something else you see yourself doing?” I responded “Yes! I want to work with individuals and groups and teach about stress relief and self care…” And from that revelation I decided I would pursue a certification in Nurse Coaching. Because I only had my two year nursing degree, I found out that I would need to get my BSN first because they did not allow 2 year RN’s to become certified Nurse Coaches. My anxiety heightened as I imagined going back to college on top of working and caring for my young family along with everything else. What other option was there? I decided I would just start slow and take a writing class, because I love writing. The day after I registered for class in April of 2021, I got a migraine that ended up not being typical and it came with some worrying symptoms. My mystery illness went on for months and my anxiety grew as I worried about my health and my future. I saw different doctors, went to an acupuncturist and the chiropractor. I tried different meds. I slept alot. I eventually withdrew my registration to college and I went casual at the hospital. All while thinking “what am I going to do about my dream?” I would hear God’s voice, “Have faith in me” and that indeed became easier as I just focused on what I could do at any moment. I picked up a job serving at a local restaurant, which proved to be great for my mental health. I had to get over the hit on my ego for a dramatic decrease in finances and what felt like a change in identity. I had to remove the attachment I had to the roles I play and my idea that my worth is tied to income. In October of 2021, I received an email that the holistic credentialing association was now going to allow all RN’s to pursue a Nurse Coaching certification, and the BSN was no longer required. It was such a beautiful sign from the Universe!! In the Fall of 2022 I started the Wisdom of the Whole coaching program and it was so amazing. I finally felt “home” and “this is it!” I became certified as a Holistic Nurse Coach in 2024. And I believe that the trials I went through have been so vital in my ability to empower others.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most helpful thing to succeed in coaching and the healing arts, is being able to connect with people on a deep level and to have an unshakable belief in their potential. Being able to hold a healing, non-judgemental space really allows people to transform. I first had to do it for myself and now it’s become a gift that ripples outward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krista_storyofnow/