What's it like working in wound care?

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

I realize there is a specialty board for this subject, but there is very little activity so I am hoping to see what other nurses here have to say!

I am a post surgical and oncology nurse currently. I have applied and have an interview at a wound care clinic. One thing I absolutely love doing as a nurse and look forward to doing is wound care. I find it fun to remove staples, pack wounds, and apply dressings. I have found that bedside nursing is not a good fit for me and the work life/family balance of 13+ hour shifts are not acceptable to me.

I would love to hear what a day is like as a wound care nurse. Also, if you all have any tips on how to make a good impression I would greatly appreciate it!

[Eagle2110, ADN, BSN, CNM]

Hi!!

I love wound care!! I'm a case manager in a busy outpatient clinic. Patients are usually there less than an hour unless the patient is having an acute problem or being scheduled for surgery. I love the pace.

I'm also a single mom so this is perfect for me and my ladybug: no weekends, no nights, off during holidays, 8 hour days ( sometimes less).

1) Patients check in, a nurse assesses the wound.

2)The physician sees the patient and debrided the wound if indicated.

3) He then lets us know what dressing to apply. Patient leaves, the end ....Until the next week, we see patients weekly.

My only suggestion is to go in there eager and willing to dive into healing some folks!! The only complaint I have ever heard from our hiring department is when a interviewee admits that they're are "curious" about wound care but not sure if they can stomach it.

Hope this helps!! I'm excited for you!!

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

When I worked in LTACH I was sometimes assigned to assist the WOCN. After a few of those days I started volunteering to pick up shifts with her; I was a per diem employee so I chose which understaffed shifts to work. The WOCN had a list of patients to see each day; the most severe ones were seen on Mondays when the wound care physician rounded. But we assessed the wound, photographed measured and documented, cleansed it and removed any slough, and redressed the wound. If the WOCN felt changes were needed she wrote the orders and the MD would sign off on them.

I really enjoyed working with her! It was considerably less stressful than working the floor. It was 8 hours, we always took our breaks. It was a thrill to see the wounds healing!