No Wound Care Experience (is certification a possibility) ???

[wife&mommyRN]

Hello allnurses,

I have been interested in wound care since the wound care @ my hospital did an orientation on wounds and her specialty. The aspect that I love the most is the teaching that is done with patients, physicians and nurses. My question is it possible to gain certification without actual wound care/ med/surg experience??? I would ultimately practice as an independent contractor and would like to hear any of those experiences also. Any and all comments welcome, any information is better than none :)

Thanks in advance.

[muffins20]

The WOCN I followed for a day as a student nurse said to "put your time in the trenches," when I asked her what would be a good area of nursing to start out in if I was interested in following that path. She was referring to working in a med-surg floor to get a foundation. That way you can see how medical diseases can impact wounds/wound healing, and get experience with the surgical wounds. I know it doesn't really answer your question, but it could be helpful to know.