Spirituality, religion, and culture play important roles in health and healing. To provide the most compassionate and culturally appropriate care, healthcare systems and healthcare professionals need to recognize and understand a variety of spiritual and religious values, beliefs, and practices and their impact on health and healing. This certificate program examines the characteristics of spirituality; spiritual assessment and spiritual care; sacred, healing spaces; spiritual rituals; spiritual care of children, aging individuals, those who are dying; spiritual aspects of grieving, health, and religion; and therapeutic interventions for healing. As healthcare evolves, the spiritual aspects of human healing will be increasingly included in care.
The outcome of this certificate is for the learner to describe the characteristics of spirituality, the connection between spirituality and healing, and the essential elements of spirituality.
No one in a position to control content has conflicts of interests or relevant financial relationships to declare for this activity.
Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA approval or endorsement of any commercial product.
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.
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).
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is an approved provider with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (Provider #107194).
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.
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, 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.
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
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
Characteristics of Spirituality
While theorists and researchers have yet to agree on a single, universally accepted theory or definition of spirituality, few would deny its existence or impact on health and healing. In the past, spirituality was synonymous with religion. Although spirituality may include traditional religious beliefs and practices, spirituality is a much broader concept that also includes nonreligious beliefs and expressions. It includes a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves and typically involves a search for meaning in life. For many cultures, spirituality is deeply connected to healing practices and expanded stages of consciousness.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the characteristics of spirituality, theories of spirituality, the stages of spiritual development, and the connection between spirituality and healing.
Spirituality, the Health Care Professional, and the Spiritual Care Provider
The relationship between healthcare provider and client can provide both with a sense of strength, healing, inner peace, and an interconnectedness that gives meaning to the relationship. This relationship is a deeply spiritual one and results from the sharing of intimate experiences such as birth, death, life-threatening illnesses, emotional chaos, and the issues that arise during healing. By caring, listening, and engendering trust, the healthcare or spiritual care provider and their client can form a spiritual relationship that can heal each other.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the types of spiritual care provided by generalists and specialists, their diverse roles in providing spiritual care, and the moral and ethical issues to consider when providing this care. The influence of a healthcare provider's spirituality on their ability to provide spiritual care, as well as the barriers to providing spiritual care to clients, will also be discussed.
Spiritual Rituals
The spiritual rituals of prayer, meditation, guided imagery, gratitude, spending time in nature, dancing, storytelling, and art can all help people connect to their inner being, to others, and to a divine spirit or Sacred Source. A part of spiritual and cultural traditions, rituals help to provide awareness, meaning, intention, and purpose in life.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe spiritually healing rituals that can be incorporated in the care of clients and for themself.
Spirituality, Religion and Health
Religion and spirituality are distinct yet related concepts. An individual's spirituality, religious beliefs, and religious practices can all have a profound effect on their health. The major spiritual elements and rituals of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are explored. The benefits of religion on specific health practices are examined, and the role of healthcare providers in supporting their clients' spiritual and religious beliefs is discussed.
The outcome of this course is for learner to describe the positive and sometimes negative relationships between spirituality, religion, and health.
Spirituality, Culture and Health
Healthcare professionals and spiritual care providers face many challenges in becoming prepared to administer holistic, respectful, and culturally and spiritually competent care for their patients and clients. Understanding the relationship between spirituality, culture, and health is a vital part of providing spiritually competent care.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the relationship between spirituality, culture, and health. The health belief systems and major healthcare systems as well as spiritual, cultural, and healthcare practices of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Arab Americans are explored.
Spiritual Assessment and Spiritual Care
Spiritual care is an important and necessary part of appropriate patient care, yet many health care professionals feel ill equipped to provide it to their clients. When people experience a spiritual crisis and need spiritual care, they may choose to discuss their concerns only if they have been shown respect, understanding, and appreciation by the person(s) caring for them. Thus, understanding spirituality and its impact on well-being is one way to demonstrate respect and appreciation and helps healthcare practitioners provide compassionate and appropriate spiritual care.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the elements of spiritual care and a spiritual assessment, state the importance of providing this aspect of care, and identify strategies that can ensure a successful spiritual assessment. Several spiritual assessment models are discussed, and the various types of alterations in spiritual integrity are explained. Finally, considerations for the appropriate planning, implementation, and evaluation of spiritual care are examined.
Therapeutic Interventions for Healing
The therapeutic interventions of music, art, dance, humor, and animal-assisted therapy can be integrated into mainstream medicine and should be considered as complements, not replacements for, mainstream medical treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is evaluating these therapeutic interventions and research is demonstrating that they are not only safe but effective as well.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe an overview of mind-body-spirit healing interventions and to discuss their therapeutic uses and benefits.
Sacred Spaces, Healing Places
Modern nursing was founded on the concepts of healing environments. Florence Nightingale was one of the first to realize the importance of nature, light, noise, and sensory stimulation in healing. Today, it is well known that healing environments empower patients to be involved in their own healing journey and take responsibility for their own health. Through their understanding of the elements of a sacred, healing space and the environment's role in healing, healthcare providers and consumers can create and support these spiritual spaces so their health is enhanced, their culture and history are respected, and wellness, prevention, and self-care are emphasized.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the importance of color, nature, light, air quality, temperature, smells, music, noise, furnishings, and wayfinding in creating a healing environment for clients and healthcare providers. In addition, the learner will describe the role of the healthcare provider in creating a spiritually healing environment.
Spiritual Care of the Dying
The dying experience is unique for each individual. For many individuals, death is not an end to life. It is simply a passage to another dimension, sometimes called heaven, the spiritual world, another plane of existence, or nirvana. As knowledge of issues involved in death and dying increases and positive attitudes about death and dying are promoted, the spiritual care and support for people who are dying continues to improve. In addition, there are many spiritual, psychological, social, and cultural healing strategies that can assist health care providers in the compassionate spiritual care of the dying.
The outcome of this course for the learner to describe healing strategies that can assist health care providers in the spiritual care of the dying. Spiritual, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of dying will be explored.
Spirituality and the Grieving Process
Dealing with loss and grief is one of the great spiritual challenges of life. Individuals experience grief differently, depending on their inner resources, support, and relationships. Grief is subjective and can have psychological, social, and spiritual responses. Although cultural expressions of grief may vary, the deep sense of loss and sorrow is almost universal.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the grieving process and explore the types of grief reactions, which include acute, chronic, anticipatory, disenfranchised, and dysfunctional grief. The goals of grief counseling and the elements of healing will also be described.
Spirituality, Religion, and Children
The goal of this course is to introduce the health care professional to the relationship between spirituality, religion, and health in children. Family beliefs and values will be discusses as well as their role in treatment and healing.
Spiritual Dimensions of Aging
Aging presents unique challenges to an individual's spiritual growth, development, and expression. The relationships between loss, hope, love, sexuality, religion, and health can profoundly affect spirituality in the older adult. In addition, spirituality and religion help the aging adult cope with personal difficulties, stress, surgery, and chronic diseases. Finally, the development of spirituality in the aging adult incorporates the cultural wisdom and spiritual wisdom of elders.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the process of spiritual development in the aging individual.
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