Fall Cohort Registration: Becoming a Safety Leader in Healthcare
A six-module certificate course for Registered Nurses, Occupational Health Nurses, and Employee Health professionals ready to step into formal safety leadership roles — integrating evidence-based practices, regulatory standards, and Total Worker Health® principles.
• 6 modules · 90 minutes each• Bi-weekly · live instructor-led• AAOHN-approved continuing education credits• Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety Leadership upon completion
Course Instructor: Shanna Dunbar, COHN
This course is designed for healthcare professionals transitioning into — or expanding — safety leadership responsibilities:
• Registered Nurses (RNs) moving into safety or employee health roles
• Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) expanding into program leadership
• Employee Health professionals seeking a formal leadership framework
• Nurse managers and directors responsible for departmental safety programs
Module 1 · Kickoff Session
The Expanding Role of the Nurse in Health Care Safety
- Shifting expectations of OHNs: from clinical care to system safety oversight
- Understanding the dual lens of employee and patient safety
- Total Worker Health® principles in hospital settings
- The business case for nurse-led safety programs (ROI, risk reduction, engagement)
Applied learning: Role mapping & self-assessment of safety influence areas
Module 2
Regulatory Foundations & Hospital Safety Compliance
- OSHA, Joint Commission (EC), CMS, and CDC standards overview
- Recordkeeping, Bloodborne Pathogens, PPE, and Hazard Communication
- Structure and reporting of hospital safety committees
Applied learning: Compliance crosswalk and safety documentation exercise
Module 3
Conducting Safety Rounds & Hazard Surveillance
- Conducting safety rounds using the NAOHP Safety Rounds Toolkit
- Recognizing environmental, ergonomic, biological, and psychosocial hazards
- Prioritizing risk using the hierarchy of controls
Applied learning: Simulated safety inspection using a sample checklist
Module 4
Incident Reporting, Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action
- Establishing a non-punitive incident reporting culture
- Steps for Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Developing corrective action plans and tracking implementation
Applied learning: Mock RCA and action plan development
Module 5
Behavioral Safety, Wellbeing & Workforce Resilience
- Behavioral Emergency Response Teams (BERT) and workplace violence prevention
- Fatigue, stress, and burnout prevention strategies
- Psychological safety and coaching techniques for frontline engagement
Applied learning: Design a micro-wellbeing initiative aligned with safety goals
Module 6 · Capstone
Leading Change & Sustaining a Culture of Safety
- Core competencies in safety leadership and influencing without authority
- Communicating results using data dashboards and storytelling
- Preparing for regulatory audits and external reviews
Applied learning: Safety Program Implementation Plan for your department
Fall 2026 COHORT SCHEDULE
All sessions 1:00 - 2:30 pm Eastern · Bi-weekly
Oct 8 Kickoff · Module 1: Expanding Role of the Nurse
Oct 22 Module 2: Regulatory Foundations & Compliance
Nov 5 Module 3: Safety Rounds & Hazard Surveillance
Nov 19 Module 4: Incident Reporting & Root Cause Analysis
Dec 3 Module 5: Behavioral Safety & Workforce Resilience
Dec 17 Module 6: Leading Change & Sustaining Safety Culture (Final Wrap Up)
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
AAOHN follows the American Nurses Credentialing Center guidelines in calculating continuing nursing education credits. With every educational activity and evaluation that is completed, each one (1) hour of education time is equal to (number) continuing nursing education credit.
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is additionally approved as a CNE provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing (#CEP9283).
No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies exist for anyone in a position to control content of this activity, including planners, planning committee members, presenters/instructors, authors, and content reviewers.
Is this the same as the free Sep 15 session?
No — the free Sep 15 session is a standalone overview. This is the separate, paid 6-module certificate course that runs Oct 8 – Dec 17.
How much does it cost?
$895 standard rate. NAOHP and AAOHN members get a lower rate — enter your discount code in the "Discount Code" field near the end of this form, before payment.
How do I get the member discount?
NAOHP members: find your discount code on the
NAOHP member discounts page.
AAOHN members: find your discount code in the
AAOHN member store.
AOEC Members: email Amber Mitchell -
amitchell@aoec.org for code
Enter it in the "Discount Code" field near the bottom of this form — your total updates automatically before you reach payment. If you have trouble finding your code, email info@naohp.com before registering.
Do I need to attend live?
Sessions are live and interactive, but all 6 modules are recorded, so you can catch up if you miss one.
Does this qualify for continuing education credit?
Yes — the course is AAOHN-approved for continuing education contact hours.
What if I need to cancel?
Contact info@naohp.com and we'll work with you on a refund or transfer to a future cohort.
Who do I contact with other questions?
Email info@naohp.com
Register — Becoming a Safety Leader in Health Care (Fall Cohort)
(enter your member discount code in the "Discount Code" field below, before payment — see FAQ above for where to find it)
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