Gain Certificate in Healing Environments Online

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).

What you will learn

• Describe the importance of healing relationships in creating healing environments.
• Explain the relationship between color and health.
• Discuss the role of clean water in healing environments.
• Explain the relationship between light, health, and healing.
• Discuss the role of nature in the healing process.
• Explain how technology affects health.
• Describe the impact of sound, music, and art on healing.
• State the role of air quality in health and well-being.
• Explain how the power of health care design elements can influence health and well-being.

How you will benefit

• Learn how evidence-based design can create environments that support healing.
• Explore the effect of color, light, sound, and art in supporting physical and emotional health.
• Examine how nature can be used in healthcare designs to create a sense of connection and healing.
• Discover how to ensure that clean air and water are part of your healing environments.
• Examine the health impacts of technology and learn ways to avoid "technostress."
• Discover ways to improve your total health and well-being and positively impact your life and the life of your family.
• Create new career opportunities as you help others.
• Enhance your professional marketability with training specific to the topics covered.
• Build knowledge and competencies needed to advance your career and/or improve your personal health and well-being.
• Fulfill continuing education and/or national certification requirements.

Outline

The Power of Design: Healthy Buildings, Healthy Communities

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)

Creating Healing Relationships

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 outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the elements of intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships that support healing, including the components of the C.A.R.I.N.G. model of self-care, the role of balance and thriving in healing relationships, the dimensions and characteristics of a healing presence, and the principles of relationship-centered care (RCC).

Color and Health: Exploring the Connection

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 in healing and what effects it might produce.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the history and use of color and healing as well as the characteristics of color, types of color therapy, and guidelines for using color in healing environments.

Light, Health, and Healing

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 healthcare environments, it is only natural to examine the role of light in those environments.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the characteristics of light, the types of light, the role of light in sight in our overall health, and how to incorporate light into healing environments.

Sound and Art: Using the Ears and Eyes to Heal

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 outcome of this course is for the learner to discuss the role of art and music in health, including the effects of art and art therapy on health, and how music and art can be incorporated effectively into healing environments.

Nature and Healing: The Power of Connection

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, awestruck, 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 healthcare 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 healthcare providers to help support the well-being and healing among patients, clients, staff, and community members.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the effects of nature on health and well-being and how to use elements of nature to heal.

The Air You Breathe: How Air Quality Affects Health and Well-Being

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 an important 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 outcome of this course is for the learner to describe components of external and indoor air pollution, their effects on human health, and methods of reducing or eliminating external and indoor air pollution, especially in healthcare environments.

How Safe Is Your Water?

According to the World Health Organization, 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. Healthcare professionals play an important role in preventing waterborne illness and in educating the public about potential health risks related to exposure to microbial and chemical contaminants in drinking water.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe 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 healthcare providers need to know to effectively educate the public about their water and their health.

Rewired Brains: Technology and Health

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 outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the use of technology in modern life and how it impacts health, and describe methods of managing technostress.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.