Abstract
Nearly $200 billion of healthcare construction is expected by the year 2015, and nurse leaders must expand their knowledge and appreciation of philosophies of care and design attributes that create healing environments for patients, their families, and the staff. This bimonthly department prepares nurse leaders to use the evidence-based design process to ensure that new, expanded, and renovated hospitals facilitate optimal patient experiences and outcomes, enhance the work environment for healthcare providers, and improve organizational performance. In this article, the author uses the Planetree philosophy of care as a framework for creating healing environments to address the mind, body, and spiritual needs of patients and staff.