Diploma course for nursing staff in aromatherapy (DAO)
Working professionally with essential oils - the diploma course for nursing staff
Do you work in nursing and want to gain in-depth knowledge of aromatherapy? Aromatherapy, as a complementary care method, promotes health and well-being, alleviates discomfort, and is always tailored to the individual needs of the patient—in line with the nursing process and nursing diagnoses.
What awaits you?
- Expertise for use in nursing care with the competence to professionally and with the aromatherapy
Responsibility/implementation of a concept in your institution. - Practical training: Our lecturers know what they're talking about – from their own experience in everyday nursing care.
- Qualified degree: Diploma with final examination and practice-oriented diploma thesis
Who is this course intended for?
- Nursing professionals from long-term or acute care as well as home care services who would like to conceptually develop, implement and take professional responsibility for the aromatherapy field in their institution.
- Nursing professionals who would like to acquire sound, practical knowledge in order to apply aromatherapy professionally and safely in their daily care routine.
- Detailed information: see admission requirements
Voices of our alumni
Information about the diploma course
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More details about the content and lecturers of the individual modules are linked below. A day of in-person instruction (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) corresponds to 7 learning hours; self-study, including preparation and follow-up phases, also corresponds to 7 learning hours.
- Basic seminar and fundamental knowledge, in-person day
Basic seminar and fundamental knowledge for self-study - Practical applications via the nose, in-person day
- Practical applications via the skin (in-person day)
- Living plants and dancing molecules - In-person day
Living Plants and Dancing Molecules: Self-Study - Aromatherapy in healthcare institutions: In-person day
- Skin applications and palliative care in-person day
- Scientific Evidence and Dancing Molecules (Advanced Level) In-Person Day
Scientific Evidence and Dancing Molecules (Advanced Level) Self-Study - Essential Oils and Mental Well-being - In-Person Day
- In-person day Aromatherapy for the elderly In-person day
- The sense of smell, attendance day
- Wraps and compresses (basics) In-person day
- The Art of Mixing - In-Person Day
Compulsory elective modules (at least 2 modules)
- Children, Babies, Pregnancy, In-person Day
- The healing power of your hands (in-person day)
- The healing power of your hands (day in person)
- Wraps and compresses (advanced training) In-person day
- Natural Cosmetics In-Person Day
- Dementia in focus Aromatherapy In-person day
Test
- Basic seminar and fundamental knowledge, in-person day
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The following requirements must be met to obtain the diploma:
- Passed final exam
- Writing the thesis and final interview
The thesis is an integral part of the course and serves as a practical demonstration of your acquired knowledge. It includes a practical project in which you demonstrate how you professionally apply the knowledge gained from the modules to your professional practice or your environment. Under professional mentorship, you will have the opportunity to specifically test and reflect on the practical transfer, and further develop your skills.
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Start in January 2026
- Before January 15th: Self-study/preparation phase for the follow-up module
- Thursday, January 15, 2026: Basic seminar and fundamental knowledge
- Friday, January 30, 2026: Applications via the nose
- Friday, February 27, 2026: Applications via the skin
- Before March 11: Self-study/preparation phase for the follow-up module
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Dancing Molecules
- Wednesday, March 25, 2026: Aromatherapy in healthcare institutions
- Friday, April 24, 2026: Aromatherapy for elderly people
- Thursday, April 30, 2026: Wraps and Compresses Basic
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026: Skin applications and palliative care
- Before August 25th: Self-study/preparation phase for the follow-up module
- Tuesday, August 25, 2026: Scientific Evidence and Dancing Molecules - In-Depth Study
- Monday, September 14, 2026: Essential Oils and Mental Well-being
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026: The sense of smell
- Thursday, November 19, 2026: Practical Mixing
- Monday, November 30, 2026: Midterm exam (half day)
Compulsory elective modules (at least 2)
- Friday, March 13, 2026: Children, Babies, Pregnancy
- Thursday, May 28, 2026: The healing power of your hands
- Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Dementia in the focus of aromatherapy
- Friday, November 13, 2026: Wraps and Compresses - In-depth Study
- Thursday, November 19, 2026: Skin care in an aromatherapy context (natural care products)
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Nursing professionals FH/HF (long-term care, acute hospital, home care)
Exceptions to the admission requirements are possible in justified cases. In such cases, please submit a written application with a letter of motivation.
Register now
Location: farfalla Academy in Uster
Duration: 17 days - Price: CHF 4,175
Would you like to receive personal advice?
We'll help you find the right aromatherapy courses for you! Schedule an appointment online now or contact us directly at akademie@farfalla.ch.
Claudia Limacher-Bühlmann, specialist consultant
For the professional setting
"The knowledge and skills acquired in the courses enable participants to effectively and safely apply aromatherapy/aroma care in a professional setting. Furthermore, the training and the diploma thesis provide the framework to grow into the responsibilities that will be assumed in an institution in the future."
Are there any questions left?
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Choosing the right course depends on your professional background and goals. Here you will find an overview of the different programs:
Aromatherapy courses for private use and for people in counseling and care
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Short course on aromatherapy for the home medicine cabinet (AHA, 5 days)
For whom? Anyone interested in using essential oils safely in everyday life.
Objective: To provide sound basic knowledge of aromatherapy for private use. - Certificate course in aromatherapy for counseling (ZAHA, 5 + 5 days)
For whom? All interested individuals who want to use essential oils safely in everyday life and are aiming for a certificate.
Objective: To provide sound basic knowledge of aromatherapy for private use. - Diploma course in Aromatherapy for counseling (DAHA; also bookable as an upgrade to AHA: AHA-Z + AHA-D, 5 + 5 + 7 days)
For whom? Interested individuals who wish to use essential oils safely in everyday life and within the scope of their professional field (e.g., coaching and consulting) or life area (family, caregiving, etc.).
Goal: Expertise in aromatherapy through coaching and consulting.
Short course for specialists in consulting/sales in pharmacies and drugstores
- Aroma expert: available in pharmacies and drugstores (42 hours)
For whom? Professionals in pharmacies and drugstores who wish to provide customers with in-depth advice on aromatherapy measures, among other things.
Objective: Practical knowledge about essential oils, gentle organic floral waters, and organic carrier oils – as natural support in all phases of life and for many everyday ailments. A valuable addition to consultations and for meaningful complementary sales.
Certificate courses for nursing staff
- Certificate course in Aromatherapy without a specialization (ZAO, 10 days)
For whom? Nursing professionals (long-term care, acute care hospital, psychiatry)
Goal: Sound training in aromatherapy in a professional context.
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Certificate course in aromatherapy with a specialization in psychiatry (ZAP, 10 days)
For whom? Nursing professionals from a psychiatric institution.
Goal: To provide sound training in aromatherapy in a psychiatric institution.
Diploma courses with specific focus areas
- Diploma course in Aromatherapy for nursing staff (DAO, 17 days)
For whom? Nursing staff without a specific area of expertise (long-term care, acute care hospital, psychiatry)
Goal: Expertise for use in nursing care with the competence to implement aromatherapy professionally and independently in a facility.
- Diploma course in Aromatherapy/Aromacare for therapists (DAT, 17 days)
For whom? Therapists who want to specifically integrate aromatherapy into their services.
Objective: Expertise for the therapeutic use of essential oils.
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Diploma course in Aromatherapy/Aromacare with a specialization in Psychiatry (DAP, 17 days)
For whom? Nursing professionals or therapists with a focus on mental health.
Goal: Expertise for use in nursing care with the competence to implement aromatherapy professionally and independently in a facility.
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Short course on aromatherapy for the home medicine cabinet (AHA, 5 days)
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Components of in-person and e-learning
The course combines in-person seminars with a digital learning platform within a blended learning concept. The in-person sessions are supplemented by modern e-learning methods. Participants can flexibly complete individual learning phases within a defined timeframe. In addition, there are short learning assessments and the opportunity to contact the instructors with any further questions.
This combination of structured self-study phases and interactive classroom modules allows for individual adaptation to personal learning pace and existing knowledge. All learning elements are didactically coordinated, ensuring that participants experience significant added value in their learning process through a clear structure and targeted tasks.
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The course certificates confirm participation and successful completion of the examinations. The diploma additionally certifies passing the diploma examination in Aromatherapy/Aromacare and the independent writing of a diploma thesis. This thesis documents and reflects the practical application of the acquired knowledge.
Recognition by the EMR
The part-time training course in Aromatherapy/Aromacare meets the requirements of the EMR quality label for Empirical Medicine Register, comprising at least one hundred hours of training. Professionals in medical or paramedical fields who meet the necessary prerequisites can register aromatherapy as a recognized method with the EMR. Further details regarding the requirements can be found in the EMR regulations' list of methods: EMR Regulations.
Self-employment outside the healthcare sector
Individuals who do not come from a healthcare profession but are seeking self-employment such as consulting or their own practice are advised to carefully assess their individual qualifications. This includes, in particular, their prior education and cantonal legislation.
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The language of instruction is either Standard German or Swiss German, depending on the instructor. Upon request of individual participants, any seminar can be conducted in Standard German; this will be clarified at the beginning of each seminar.
Further information on aromatherapy courses and training can be found in the FAQ of the farfalla Academy.
