Is Functional Medicine Part of a Registered Nurse’s Scope of Practice?

Originally published in October 12, 2022. Updated November 8, 2025 by Dr. Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP, Founder & CEO of the Institute for Functional Nursing

One of the most common questions I get asked regarding practicing functional medicine as a nurse is about scope of practice, and for good reason! It is a confusing topic, and we do not want to put our hard-earned licenses at risk!

I first created and taught the Functional Medicine for Nurses program to help RNs and NPs understand exactly that: how to integrate functional medicine safely, confidently, and within scope. Each student was asked to research their own state’s guidelines and share what they found. What became clear is that most U.S. states have very vague language when it comes to nurses practicing functional or integrative care.

But there is one universal truth:

Every nurse, in every U.S. state, is an educator.

Education: The Heart of Nursing Scope

As nurses, we teach our clients in virtually every encounter, whether we realize it or not.

Education is the foundation of care when practicing functional medicine, and it’s where nurses already shine.

When I began studying functional medicine years ago, I quickly realized how familiar much of the material was. These were topics we all learned in nursing school—nutrition, stress, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and the body’s interconnected systems. Yet in conventional practice, those lessons are rarely emphasized.

That realization was a turning point:

Nurses already know functional medicine.

We were taught what affects health, but not always how to act on it. Functional medicine gives nurses the framework and tools to apply what we’ve always known, connecting root causes to individualized care. Once we make those connections, our role as educators becomes even more powerful.

Functional Medicine and Nursing: A Natural Partnership

Functional medicine—often called root-cause medicine—focuses on why illness develops rather than simply treating symptoms. It’s a whole-person, story-driven, and relationship-centered approach.

That sounds a lot like nursing, doesn’t it?

We listen deeply, consider context, and help patients uncover the “why” behind their health concerns. Most of these factors—nutrition, stress, sleep, environment—are exactly the areas where nurses are already teaching, guiding, and supporting change.

In other words, functional medicine doesn’t take nurses outside their scope—it brings them back to it.

How Functional Nursing Works in Real Practice

As a nurse practitioner in Washington State, I have full practice authority: I can diagnose, prescribe, and order labs. Yet truthfully, over 95 percent of my consulting work has fallen within the RN scope of practice.

Before each initial session, clients would upload recent lab results for review. For many, that’s all we needed to make significant progress. It’s remarkable how often patients have been told their labs were “normal” for years when clear patterns of inflammation, insulin resistance, or nutrient deficiency are visible to a functional lens.

My sessions lasted up to 90 minutes—and most of that time was spent listening, interpreting, and educating. That educational partnership is squarely within nursing scope and often far more transformative than a prescription.

When I ask all of our faculty at the Institute for Functional Nursing, they are resoundingly in agreement. Most of their practice revolves around functional nursing approaches inside the RN scope of practice.

Labs, Supplements, and the Functional Medicine Nurse's Scope of Practice

In my programs, we discuss the practical options RNs and NPs have when integrating lab data:

• Some RNs choose to work without ordering labs, focusing entirely on education and lifestyle guidance.

• Others recommend labs that clients can request from their primary-care providers and teach them how to advocate for themselves.

• Some collaborate with NPs or MDs who handle lab ordering and medical oversight.

• A few partner with third-party services that provide ordering providers and review critical values.

  
  

Each nurse decides what feels appropriate based on licensure, comfort, and state regulations.

Across all jurisdictions, RNs cannot diagnose—but they can review lab data and educate clients about what those results mean. That’s fully within a functional medicine nurse's scope of practice.

I often remind students: we’ve always explained labs. At the bedside, we might say, “Your potassium is low because we increased your lasix dose yesterday. We’re giving you oral potassium, and let's discuss some foods that are rich in potassium.” The same principle applies in functional practice—we’re using data to teach, not to diagnose.

Supplements, Nutrition, and Nursing Scope

Many nurses are hesitant to discuss supplements or nutrition. Yet we do this constantly in clinical practice: recommending over-the-counter pain relief, suggesting hydration strategies, or reviewing diet guidelines for heart disease or diabetes.

When a client is nutrient deficient, it’s appropriate to educate them about safe supplementation and lifestyle strategies that restore balance. Nursing judgment—knowing when to refer, when to caution, and how to personalize—is key. You can read another blog on this topic here.

Nutrition is another area firmly tied to education. Nurses have long taught patients about topics like excessive sodium consumption, the health risks of simple carbohydrates, and prenatal nutrition. Functional nursing simply connects those same principles to root-cause healing.

The Future of Functional Nursing

Our healthcare system is still dominated by diagnosis-based algorithms that too often end with a prescription. Yet chronic conditions continue to rise. Most patients don’t need more medication—they need a nurse who will listen, teach, and empower them to take ownership of their health.

That’s the heart of functional nursing.

At the Institute for Functional Nursing™ (IFN), we’re continuing this mission in partnership with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)—developing comprehensive programs that align with IFM’s clinical competencies while honoring the nursing scope of practice.

We’re helping nurses and nurse practitioners step confidently into functional medicine with a foundation rooted in education, ethics, and evidence-based care.

Because when nurses lead with knowledge, curiosity, and compassion, we don’t just practice safely—

we transform healthcare.