Heather D. Welch, MSN, RN

My Story

 

There may be some of you out there who are interested in hearing my story.  However, let’s be honest, there may be even more of you who aren’t.  That’s fine; I’m good with that.  Therefore, out of respect for those of you who just simply want to know my credentials, click here and it will take you to the list below.  For the rest of you....keep reading.​

 

Have you ever wondered, “What am I going to be when I grow up?”  Yeah – me too.  For my entire life, I have struggled with this very simple question.  Every Kindergarten child is asked this question.  No one ever asks an adult because you’re supposed to have figured out by then – right?  The difference between me and the average 5-years old is that at some point, the 5-year old figures it out…before the age of 40. 

 

The trouble for me was that I wanted to help people, but I didn’t know how to do it.  I was always very spiritual and intrigued by non-traditional methods of health and healing.  I mean, I was a child of the 70’s right?  But then the 80’s showed up and I learned very quickly that those non-traditional methods were frowned upon – even feared.  Those who showed interest in them were considered as pariahs.... and I didn’t want to be one of society’s outcasts.  Therefore, I decided to hide my true desires and become socially acceptable.

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Hence – I became a nurse.  What better way to help and be perceived as “normal” by others, than by dedicating yourself to a time-honored, female-dominated profession?  Nurses are respected.  Nurses are valued.  Nurses are revered.  Nurses are socially acceptable.  All the things I wanted to be when I grew up.   So… I became a nurse.  I can’t lie, the profession has treated me well.  I started out as an LPN and worked my way up to the top of my field.  I was like a pedigreed Labrador retriever – papered, certified, trained and loyal. 

 

Like all nurses, I had good days and bad; ups and downs; thrills and spills.  I learned a lot by being a nurse.  I obviously learned about the human body, diseases and medications.  I learned about human behavior and positive (and not-so positive) interactions.  I learned how to save a life and am proud to say that I saved a few.  I lost a few along the way, too.  I have had the privilege of being present for all stages of life and can tell you that it is as much of an honor to attend someone’s death as it is their birth. 

 

As the years passed, I watched the dynamics of health care change – and not necessarily for the better.  Computers, while they allowed for better medical records, shifted the focus off the patient at the bedside.  New and improved antibiotics allowed for better management of infectious diseases, but also created resistance.  New technologies created cures for once incurable diseases, but also brought up a quandary of ethical questions.  I watched as we created our own chaos. 

 

For years I watched.  I knew that I couldn’t continue to participate in a profession that did as much harm as it did good.  I knew that the answer lied in getting back to our roots.  I strongly believe that the human body can heal itself and that the Universe has provided us with what we need to heal ourselves.  It was time to get back to nature.  It was time for me to pick up the non-traditional methods of healing that I had left behind decades ago and start again.  But my old friend Fear showed back up.  While we were now in the 21st century and alternative medicine had gained some ground in acceptance – there were still many circles in which it was still not socially acceptable. 

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It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that I finally found the courage to break away from the fear and live my authentic life.  Slowly, like a butterfly, I have metamorphosed.  I have found the courage to follow my dreams and have discovered what I want to be when I grow up – and I have healed myself along the way.  I am now ready to help others heal as well.

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That’s what Escential Spirit is about - facilitating our body’s innate knowledge to restore physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.

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List of training and credentials:

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• Health and Life Coach (2021, Health Coach Institute)

• Certified 19th Generation Red Hat Qigong Practitioner (2017, Beverly Anderson)

• Holy Fire II Reiki Master Upgrade (2016, Touchpoint Therapy-Teresa Jantz)

• Ordained Minister (2016, Universal Life Church Ministries)

• Consultant for Neal’s Yard Remedies (2016)

• Psychic Self Mastery Class (2014-2015, Beverly Anderson)

• Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Ryoho Reiki Master (2015, Touchpoint Therapy-Teresa Jantz)

• Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Ryoho First & Second Degree Reiki (2014, Touchpoint Therapy-Teresa Jantz)

• Member American Holistic Nurses Association (2013-Present)

• Graduate of the Integrative Aromatherapy Certificate Program (2014, The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy)

• Interdimensional Awareness and Psychic Ability Course (2010, Annee Jawor)

• Master of Science in Nursing (2007, University of Colorado at Denver Health & Science Center)

• Certified PeriOperative Nurse, CNOR (2008 – Present, Association of PeriOperative Nurses (AORN))

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2000, Regent’s College)

• Practical Nurse (1995, San Juan Technical College)

• Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science (1994, Fort Lewis College)