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Holistic nursing represents the evolution of care from a basic assistance practice to a scientific and profoundly human discipline, recognizing the individual as an integral unit of body, mind, spirit, and environment. This approach dates back to Florence Nightingale, was consolidated by nursing theorists such as Watson, Rogers, Neuman, and Leininger, and transcends the biomedical model by focusing on complete healing. The objectives of this essay are to explore the evolution of this concept, analyze its theoretical foundations, and highlight principles such as the power of self-healing and the therapeutic relationship. The extension project carried out in the province of Darién, Panama, “Holistic Nursing: An Integral Approach to Care”, allowed its impact to be measured through a descriptive cross-sectional study; at the end, a structured questionnaire was applied, including closed-ended scale questions and open-ended items to collect suggestions. The population consisted of students and faculty members from the Nursing School at CRU Darién, and the sample comprised 33 completed questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques and thematic analysis, synthesized into a SWOT framework. The application of this model in contexts of high vulnerability promoted dignity and equity in care. The implementation of active and experiential methodologies strengthened students’ academic training and consolidated the bond between the university and the community. This experience opens necessary spaces for future academic discussions on nursing practice in diverse environments, reaffirming the discipline as a pillar of integral healing.
