Meet Calandra Eddington-Chavis | The Wellness Nurse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Calandra Eddington-Chavis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Calandra, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I desire to have my own women’s wellness practice that includes both holistic practices and education as well as Western medicine. I want to be able to bridge that gap, as it is definitely needed in today’s world. Teaching women about how to properly use essential oils, herbs and work towards healthier habits to aid in their health and wellness process as well as provide services such as pap smears. Women should have the choice on how they manage their care. It’s ok to take an antibiotic. It’s ok to use herbs. That’s where I will come in.
Being educated in both herbal/essential oils and medical remedies will help me stand out from the rest.
At the end of my career, I just hope I was that light for many women. I know that future generations will be impacted.
I hope to pave the way for more women like me that are interested in holistic practices and will not be afraid to step out on faith to serve their communities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career in women’s health started in 2004 after graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington. Being a nurse was always a desire of mine as I was influenced by both my paternal and maternal grandmothers.

Being a health and wellness coach, a doula, peri-steam facilitator, a student herbalist, a certified aromatherapist and an essential oil specialist has allowed me to become a diversified registered nurse.
I understand that holistic practices are just as important and successful as Western medicine, if not more in some cases. As a wellness coach, I do not view the person as just a patient, I see him or her as a whole person rather than a patient with an illness. Nurses naturally have compassion for their patients, but as a coach, I am able to ask those questions that will allow a person to see themselves as whole.

Having faith in God, identifying and eliminating distractions and staying focused on my goals helped me strive for success. I have met many obstacles along the way that could have really thrown me off course. Having a strong support system, praying,  and having discernment, has  helped me come this far. The desire to still learn will take me even further.

In 2025, I will graduate from Georgetown University with my Master’s in science in nursing to become a women’s health nurse practitioner. Nursing With Nature will evolve to a women’s wellness practice where women can receive health coaching, aromatherapy, peri-steaming as well and routine and problem check-ups. My practice will also be a referral source for doulas, midwives and birthing centers, lactation consultants and childbirth educators who have a passion for maternal health.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of course, I would be wrong not to thank my mom. I appreciate the values and the principals she instilled in us. I thank her for valuing faith, education and hard work.

I met a woman in 2018 that is a powerhouse. When she speaks, she moves mountains. She started off as a nurses and became a business woman. She was one of the first women I met that was a business woman. Her name is Wanda Webb. When she talks, she’s captivating. She moves mountains. Most of all, I admire her transparency.

I could not forget Alycia Huston. She is another business woman that is strong in her faith. She unselfishly shares her success and her resources with like minded women. Over the years, she has created communities and retreats to assist women in excelling in their businesses. When talking to her, you can feel the presence of God working through her.

Website: www.nursingwithnature.com

Instagram: nursingwithnature_wellness

Linkedin: Calandra Eddington-Chavis

Twitter: Nwnwellnessrn

Facebook: Nursing With Nature

Other: TikToc: @nursingwithnature