PURPOSETo introduce the hospice nurse to the use of integrative medicine.DATA SOURCESLay and professional books and journals.DATA SYNTHESISFour types of treatments—allopathic, alternative, complementary, and integrative—form the basis of modern medical and nursing care. A concept of multiple modalities (physical, psychosocial, and spiritual) to achieve a holistic approach and passive and active models of care is encouraged for total patient care.CONCLUSIONSA customized philosophy for healing and wellness in the end stages of life can improve life quality and symptom management even with a lack of scientific rationale.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICEHospice and palliative care nurses are encouraged to investigate less traditional forms of treatment and to obtain the necessary training to incorporate some of these techniques into their practice.