WOC Nursing: A Career, A Calling

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m searching for a career where I canmake a difference.” Wound, ostomy and continence nurses often say, “I’ve found acareer where I do make a difference.” Why?Because embarking on the journey to become a WOC Nurse lets you make a tremendous difference in the lives of patients.

Whether your focus is wounds, ostomies, continence, or a combination of the three, all practice areas offer opportunities for professional growth and personal fulfillment in a variety of healthcare settings.

Why Specialize in WOC Nursing?Millions of Baby Boomers are joining the ranks of America’s

burgeoning aging population. While medical advances prolonglife, they have also created new health issues. Wound, Ostomyand Continence Nurses fill an important niche in our society,and they are educated to address the needs presented by patientswith special health issues, including those related to aging.

Currently, more than 5 million Americans suffer from chronicwounds. Half a million Americans have ostomies requiringteaching, counseling, and supportive care. Approximately 11 million Americans endure urinary and fecal incontinence. As the population ages, the demand for WOC Nurses continues to increase.

Becoming a WOC Nurse: TheRight Stuff• WOC Nurses are Registered Nurses who hold a Baccalaureate

Degree or higher and complete a formal, accredited WOC full-scope or specialty education program

• WOC Nurses demonstrate a high degree of knowledge, leadership, and commitment to caring

The Practice Environment• Approximately 5 – 7 million wounds are reported in the United

States annually • Nearly 120,000 people undergo urinary or fecal diversion

(ostomy) surgery annually• There are an estimated 750,000 individuals in the U.S. with

ostomies• Approximately 11 million men and women currently suffer

from urinary or fecal incontinence in the U.S. alone.

When you choose a career inWOC Nursing you choose:

HopeWhether you practice in a hospital, rehabilitation facility, long-term care facility, outpatient care facility or home healthcare setting, your commitment to improving the lives and well-being of patients with WOC conditions gives them hope for a better tomorrow.

SatisfactionWhen WOCN Society members were surveyed in 2008, 44%reported they were “very satisfied” with their job, and 86.3%indicated they are “at least somewhat satisfied” with their job.

SecurityOn average, certified WOC Nurses earn an annual salary ofmore than $75,000.

CommeraderieWOC Nurses, especially those who join the WOCN Society,enjoy a special bond allowing them to draw strength from others in the same career in order to enhance their personal and professional development.

DiversityWOC Nurses are also involved in a wide range of activities outside of direct patient care in the legislative, legal, and educational arena.

Becoming a WOC Nurse ChecklistThe following minimum prerequisites are common for every WOCN AccreditedEducation Program. Individual programs may have additional criteria.

Applicants must:� Comply with degree requirements

RN with a Baccalaureate Degree or higher degree with a major in nursingorRN with a Bachelor’s Degree in another field and one year of RN clinical nursing experience following RN licensure

� Meet clinical experience requirements

Current clinical nursing experience within five years prior to application to a WOC Nursing Education Program. Documentation of currency of clinical nursing experience within last five years: current, active practice;completion of a nurse refresher course or a clinical performance examination.

Remember:One year of experience is required to be accepted into a program.

Choosing a WOC Nursing ProgramThe structures of the WOC Nursing Education Programs are diverse, but applicants are encouraged to choose from 10 WOCN-accredited WOC Nursing Education Programs (WOCNEPs) offered in the UnitedStates. Accreditation by the WOCN Society guarantees the program meets established criteria regarding admission requirements, course content, clinical experience, qualified faculty and student/faculty ratio. Many programs offer grant, scholarship and loan programs. There are also specific scholarships offered through the WOCN Society.

Individual programs have varied structures/formats and students canchoose programs to match their learning style. Program types include: traditional on-site, split-option, distance learning, Web enhanced andonline learning courses. All programs contain both a didactic and clinicalcomponent. View complete list of WOCNEP’s at wocn.org in theEducation section.

Making the Most of theCredentialUpon successful completion of a WOCN-accreditedWOC Nursing Education Program, the nurse is awardeda certificate designating WOC Nurse or specialty status.This qualifies the nurse to take national board examina-tions to become certified in wound, ostomy and/or continence nursing. Certification candidates should sit forthe exam as soon as possible after compleing the programand supplement exam study with refresher courses. TheWOCN Society has developed specific courses designedto assist those preparing for the examinations, both onlineand on-site during the WOCN Annual Conference.

WOCNCB Board CertificationGraduates of accredited WOC nursing full scope or specialty programs are eligible to become Board Certified by taking the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)Examination(s). Credentialed WOC Nurses have successfully met rigorous criteria and passed a nationalboard examination to be certified in the area(s) ofwound, ostomy and/or continence nursing. A brochureand application for Board Certification can be viewed at www.wocncb.org or requested from the WOCNCBNational Office at (888) 496-2622.

The WOCNCB stands firmly in its belief WOC certification improves the level and quality of patientcare by defining and maintaining competency within the WOC specialties. Furthermore, certification providesa competitive advantage for employment and promotesjob satisfaction. The nurse who chooses to certifydemonstrates a commitment to WOC nursing practice

As You Embark On Your Career Path,Choose Your Friends and MentorsWisely. Choose the WOCN Society

• WOCN’s Web site: A comprehensive resource for all issues related to WOC Nursing, including an Image Library, free Best practice documents and online networking forums.

• Numerous CEU opportunities through the WOCN Global LearningCenter to promote professional excellence

• Discounts on attending the WOCN Conference, which is the premiere conference on wound, ostomy, continence and professionalpractice education.

• Discounts on evidenced-based or Best Practice products developed bySociety volunteers.

• Opportunities to develop a mentorship with a WOC Nurse professional• Unlimited networking opportunities to facilitate your growth in your

new career

For more information visit www.wocn.org.

and patient protection. Credentials are awarded for a five-year period.Recertification can be achieved by means of examination or a portfolioprocess through the Professional Growth Program (PGP).

Please be aware of other “certification” programs offering week-long orweekend certificates—they are not to be considered a substitute for a WOCNCB certification. The WOCN Society strongly endorses and supports the credentialing program for WOC specialty nursing practiceoffered by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board.

WOC Nurses are committed… committed to listening, growing in theirspecialization, making a difference, and advancing the profession.

Founded in 1968, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses

(WOCN) Society is the only national organization for nurses

who specialize in management and rehabilitation of persons

with wounds, ostomies and continence disorders. With more

than 4,500 members, the Society’s mission is to support its

members by promoting educational, clinical and research

opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery

of expert health care to individuals with wound, ostomy and

continence disorders.

WOCN National Office15000 Commerce ParkwaySuite CMt. Laurel, NJ 08054888-224-9626, toll freewocn_info@wocn.orgwww.wocn.org