Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing
WHERE PASSION MEETS PURPOSE
By Holly M. Hovan
Wound, ostomy, and continence( WOC) care in nursing is a growing specialty with thousands of registered nurses( RNs) holding certification from the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board( WOCNCB). Board certified nurses practice nationally and internationally, taking an evidence-based, compassionate, and holistic approach to WOC nursing care. The Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse( CWOCN) has an impact not only on patients, but also on facility outcomes, education / academia, new nurses, and people with an ostomy( ostomates).
Additionally, the American Nurses Association( ANA) recognizes WOC nursing as a nursing specialty and validates the rigorous processes and certification pathways that keep CWOCN as the gold standard in certification. The passion for helping others that CWOCNs possess truly turns the role into a purpose with an immeasurable value to patients, facilities, and academia.
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Education
There are traditional and experiential pathways to certification for all three specialties— wound, ostomy, and continence. First, you must possess an RN license and hold a baccalaureate degree or higher( all baccalaureate degrees are accepted). Second, you need to participate in a WOC nursing education program; alternately, you may seek certification through contact hours, college course work, and practice hours, all pertaining to the specialty in which certification is sought. The contact hours and practice time must have occurred post bachelor’ s degree and while holding an RN license. Additional information on the certification exams and registration process can be found on the WOCNCB website.
Role and Career Opportunities
The role of the CWOCN can and does vary. You may choose to be certified in all three specialties( wound, ostomy, and continence), or potentially choose just one or two, depending on your practice setting, career goals, and work-life balance. CWOCNs are found in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient wound clinics, mobile wound care clinics, running their own practices, and academia. CWOCNs wear many hats that include caregivers at the bedside, patient advocate and educator, and nursing staff support person and educator. CWOCNs often work collaboratively with a team of healthcare providers depending on the type of patients they are managing. Collaborating providers can include those practicing in plastics surgery, vascular surgery, general surgery, podiatry, dermatology, colorectal surgery, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, pharmaceutical representatives, hospital leadership and unit managers, and quality improvement specialists.
Wound Specialists
CWOCNs are experts in the clinical setting often recommending and applying advanced wound modalities such as negative pressure wound therapy and multi-layer compression. They see and treat multiple types of wounds from skin tears and moisture associated skin damage to calciphylaxis, necrotizing fasciitis, bullous pemphigoid, vascular