Optimal Healing Environments (OHEs) are those environments in which characteristics of the individuals and various elements of the organization are focused on social, psychological, physical, cultural, and spiritual components that support and enhance the inherent healing capacities of the individuals who live and work in the environment. Healing relationships, the powerful effect of evidence-based design and all its elements (color, sound, light, art), a focus on nature, the impact of technology on health, and the important environment aspects of health such as clean air and water are all explored in this innovative certificate program.
The outcome of this certificate is for the learner to describe the various elements of optimal healing environments and how they impact the health of individuals and communities on a physical, social, psychological, and spiritual level; and describe methods of enhancing personal and work environments so they support the health of individuals and surrounding communities in a sustainable, healing manner.
(16 contact hours)
Expiration Date: 05/18/2026
(Next date of course revision)
Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships: The authors/planning committee members have no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships to declare relevant to this activity.
Non-endorsement of Products: Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA approval or endorsement of any commercial product.
Accreditation:
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions courses are acceptable for continuing education in all states.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP 14693, for the stated number of contact hours.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS (CNAs) & CERTIFIED HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS (CHTs)
The California Department of Health, Aid, and Technician Certification Section accepts continuing education offered by CA-BRN approved providers.
CERTIFIED MANAGED CARE NURSE (CMCN)
The American Board of Managed Care Nursing recognizes all of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions' ANCC accredited courses for continuing education credit for Certified Managed Care Nurses (CMCNs).
DIABETES EDUCATORS
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the NCBDE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). NCBDE does not approve continuing education.
NAADAC (National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors)
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is an approved provider with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (Provider #107194).
Instructor(s):Cyndie Koopsen
Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, HWNC-BC is a nurse who has cared for patients in acute care settings, community clinics, and the home. Her professional nursing career has involved nursing executive leadership and administration, accreditation consultation, staff development and education, community education and wellness, and holistic care. She has designed, developed, and presented numerous educational programs for audiences covering integrative health, promotion and wellness, and chronic disease management and prevention. She is the co-author (with Caroline Young) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.
Caroline Young
Caroline Young, M.P.H., has an extensive public health background that includes experience in research, workshop presentations in various areas of health care, and online and onsite teaching. She has expertise in holistic community health and wellness program design, development, marketing, implementation, and evaluation. She has also designed, developed, and presented integrative health programs for culturally diverse populations, senior populations, and faith communities. She is the co-author (with Cyndie Koopsen) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Completion Requirements:
You must complete all lessons to receive your certificate. You must pass the final exam in all lessons with a score of 80% or higher AND complete the Evaluation Form in order to receive your Certificate of Completion. Finals are graded as Pass or No Pass. Receipt of your certificate indicates successful completion of the course and that you have passed all final exams with a score of 80% or greater. You may retake final exams as many times as necessary within the duration of the course at no additional charge.
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Lesson 1
Today's health-care leaders face myriad challenges in providing safe, effective, high-quality care for patients while creating a work environment that supports the health and well-being of staff. The design of their facilities plays a critical role in these two vital aspects of care. The goal of this course is to examine design elements that support healing environments, including evidence-based design (EBD), "green" practices, sustainability, physical security, cultural responsiveness, building design, furnishings, and wayfinding in health-care facilities.
Lesson 2
A healing relationship involves two major elements: a relationship with the self (intrapersonal relationship) and relationships with others (interpersonal relationships). Each is critical to creating a healing environment for an organization's staff and clients. Healing relationships support the social, spiritual, psychological, physical, and behavioral components of people and the organization. These relationships stimulate the healing abilities inherent in patients/clients, employees, and families. Optimal healing environments support and enhance the intentions, health behaviors, treatments, and buildings of all who share the space. The goal of this course is to describe the elements of intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships that support healing, examine components of the C.A.R.I.N.G. model of self-care, explore the role of balance and thriving in healing relationships, describe the dimensions and characteristics of a healing presence, and explore the principles of relationship-centered care (RCC).
Lesson 3
The use of color in healing has a long history. A fundamental aspect of environmental design, color has also been linked to physical, psychological, and social reactions in all of its uses. Color's characteristics can influence how it is used and what effects it might produce. The goal of this course is to explore the history of color and healing; examine the characteristics of color; and review color systems, the healing benefits and impact of color, types of color therapy, and guidelines for using color in healing environments.
Lesson 4
Light has been a part of all life since the beginning of time. It plays a critical role in the health and well-being of every living thing on the planet. As humans have evolved, they have often moved away from the natural light of their ancestors and have increasingly been exposed to artificial forms of light. The effects on their health have been profound. As we increasingly focus on improving the design of health-care environments, it is only natural to examine the role of light in those environments. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the characteristics of light, compare and contrast the types of light, examine the role of light in sight and our overall health, examine circadian rhythms, explore the therapeutic benefits of light, and describe how to incorporate light into healing environments.
Lesson 5
Music and art have tremendous healing powers. Creative expression offers patients and staff the ability to heal on multiple levels. Understanding of the intricate relationship between stress and the health of our body, mind, and spirit continues to grow, and we have discovered that healing therapies which incorporate art and music can actually change a person's physiology. They connect individuals and communities, as well. The goal of this course is to examine the role of art and music in health, explore the role of music and music therapy in healing, discuss the effects of art and art therapy on health, and describe how music and art can be incorporated effectively into healing environments.
Lesson 6
Walking barefoot on the grass, listening to the ocean or the rush of a river, hearing the sounds of baby birds chirping in the spring, smelling the desert after a summer thunderstorm, or watching the silence of a winter snowfall. These sensory experiences can help us feel peaceful, awe-struck, humbled, exhilarated, and connected to the grander world beyond ourselves. The use of natural elements to heal or to support well-being is as old as human history, but it fell out of favor in the health-care profession for many decades. Now, the realization of the power of nature to heal is undergoing a tremendous resurgence and is providing additional therapies and tools for health care providers to help support the well-being and healing among patients, clients, staff, and community members. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the effects of nature on health and well-being. The models and philosophies that influence environmental design, the impact of gardens on health and well-being, the elements of healing gardens, and the varieties of healing gardens will be examined.
Lesson 7
The quality of the air we breathe is essential to our overall well-being. Contaminants in our external air, as well as the air we breathe in our homes and workplaces, play a role in many diseases. In high enough concentrations, these contaminants can be fatal. Creating optimal healing environments requires close attention to air quality, temperature, humidity, and odors. The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the components of external and indoor air pollution, describe their effects on human health, examine the impact of temperature, humidity, and odors on health, and identify methods of reducing or eliminating external and indoor air pollution, especially in health-care environments.
Lesson 8
According to the World Health Organization, (WHO) (2008), access to safe water is essential to health and a basic human right. Yet globally, unsafe water causes millions of deaths from diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition, and drowning. The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world, but national statistics do not tell individuals about the quality and safety of the water coming out of their own taps. In addition, more and more reports are surfacing about contaminants in the U.S. water supply. Health-care professionals play an important role in preventing water-borne illness and in educating the public about potential health risks related to exposure to microbial and chemical contaminants in drinking water. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the scope of the issue of water safety, types of contaminants found in public drinking water, water-related diseases, guidelines for water safety, and the information health-care providers need to know to effectively educate the public about their water and their health.
Lesson 9
Technology is an important and beneficial part of modern life. It can save us time, help us work more efficiently and effectively, and support personal and global changes. Yet many individuals never fully disconnect from their technological devices, and social, physical, emotional, and spiritual difficulties can occur as a result. Called "technostress," this condition is often related to multitasking and can lead to loneliness, frustration, anxiety, and depression. Yet there are many ways to manage technostress and learn to use technology wisely. The goal of this course is to review the use of technology in modern life, define technostress and technosis, examine the relationship between technology and multitasking, identify health impacts of technology, and describe methods of managing technostress.
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