wcc vs. wocn

[Emmjay]

Hi,

I have recently signed up for the WCC/national alliance course, and plan on doing the preceptor route as I have very little wound care experience. I work as an RN and also previously worked as an LPTA (physical therapist assistant)

I keep hearing and reading, however, that the WOCN is much superior and opens more doors and such.

To all of you good folks out there doing wound care, is that really the case?

I possibly could do the WOCN.......I don't have a BSN but do have a BA. With that course I could do the on line distance learning and then do the preceptorship as well.

I realize they are both recognized certifications, but I guess the WOCN is recognized also as a specialty.

Any words/thoughts of wisdom?

thanks so much,

emm :)

[margo533]

Certification through WOCN educational endeavor is the Gold Standard. Period. But please consider: before doing ANY specialty course work, you first need to become an expert nursing generalist, which will require at least five years of med-surg staff nursing. Only then will you be prepared to BEGIN to become a board-certified specialist--in any nursing specialty. A wound is just one part of a whole person--whose individual characteristics will tell you how to proceed ONLY if you can correctly "read" the whole person.

Margo533, CWOCN since 1995

[Emmjay]

Thank you, Margo.

I don't know that I'm an expert in anything really. I do have one year experience in the ER and 3 1/2 years in ortho/trauma on the hospital floor. It has given me pretty good skills in terms of doing good assessments, taking into consideration co morbidities, living situations/habits and such. I am only concerned a bit because I have no significant wound care experience. Did some as an LPTA......back when whirlpools and hubbard tanks were standard. I do like wounds, and want to learn how to help patients get rid of them :~)

I wonder what setting you are working in, whether it be the hospital or home care or wound care clinic? And in terms of schooling goes, I was thinking it might good to have a preceptor not only in the hospital setting but also in home care or outpatient clinic.

emm

[Chrissy Lou]

I think it also depends on where you want to work....The WOCN route is quite exclusive, and hard to obtain. I currently am a WCC, I LOVE working with wounds, love figuring out the "whole person", finding the etiology of a wound. There is new information to learn every day related to wounds, you certainly can't get bored! Do check into the WCC route, the instructors are fantastic, classes were interesting, and it was so nice to be grouped in a room with others who share a passion for wound care! There is a need for nurses who can do great wound care, and who can go back to their facility (be it LTC, Hospital etc) and TEACH. I have been amazed over the years at some of the things I have seen other nurses do "in the name of wound care". What a benefit to your patients to have nurses trained to do even basic wound care correctly! Go, learn and share!!! Good luck to you!!!

[margo533]

Emmjay, your professional background sounds excellent to proceed. Chrissy Lou, I know, I agree, the WOCN route is difficult, and I certainly agree, we need many more nurses knowledgable in wound care to care for our patients. Perhaps I'm too much of a "purist", wanting to add to the credentialed only those who can meet WOCN's (admittently) difficult standards; WOCN's standards are simply to have a baseline for assessment. Okay. I worked in home health (Indianapolis VNS and private home health agencies), hospital inpatient and hospital-based outpatient clinic over 15 yrs as a CWOCN; I have practiced in the entire scope of practice and am now retired (I'm 67yrs old). I urge you to proceed and learn in the educational setting you are able to progress in. If you have a BSN, by all means go the WOCN route; if you don't, then the most strenuous route will be the best. Believe me, one week will not make you an expert.

[Chrissy Lou]

Margo533-

I agree, one week does not make you an expert. I think after even years, there is always that one wound around the corner waiting to stump you or amaze you. I have been sailing through every message board I can find, picking up bits and pieces of information to add to my own information. I love that people are finally discussing, and sharing information, tips etc with their wound care. I had been on my own for a long time, reading every book, article, or newsletter I could find- when I lucked out to find myself working with the Doctor who essentially built the wound clinic in our neighboring city! That was a huge bonus! I did go with the WCC certification, and was quite happy with what I was taught. It is a good program, and very supportive. I believe you must be a wealth of knowledge, one I bet I would love to tap into! While I may never be able to obtain the WOCN certification, I will continue to read, read, read, and absorb every bit of info I can. It can be a tough field, frustrating at times, especially with the skeptics. But I am hoping I can continue to make a difference for someone, somewhere!

[margo533]

Good for you, chrissylou! I'm more than happy for anyone to bounce ideas & questions off me. My one great message is that a wound is just a part of a whole person; all that person's physical characteristics, personal cognition, and his/her social support network form the background for treating a wound.

[Chrissy Lou]

That message is so true! I get frustrated when I have corporate consultants come in and simply say "Well, 2 weeks are up, why isn't that wound healed?" They don't care about the whole picture, that their labs are in the toilet and they are not eating, or that they refuse to keep the wraps on, elevate their legs. I will certainly be bouncing things off you, I would be thrilled to add you to my "orificenal".

[rabbitbowchou]

been researching on this topic and google directs me here. thank you all for sharing.

I am currently in wound care at an acute hospital setting, and going on 3rd year. Love the wounds and learning everyday. everyday I wake up, I am grateful that I am blessed that I am doing what I love and love what I am doing. However, as a mom, still have to be practical according to financial issue.

Been wondering about tuition and salary/wage (after certified), which one is the better investment, relatively?

I am an RN, MSN, med-surg for more than 5 years.

thank you all again!!!!!!

[spiritualrn]

CWOCN is the gold standard. I was grateful I opted for the CWOCN path. I obtained each credential individually. Initially my goal was only the wound care credential, but then after I obtained that credential, I went for the other two. The total learning required for the cert exams was 11 graduate credits, which by itself shows the difference between the WOCN and the WCC. Part of the coursework were clinical practicums for each specialty. You need to be an RN for at least two years and have a Bachelors degree (BSN not required). I wish you well in your journey.

[rabbitbowchou]

Thank you, Spiritualrn, for your input and feedback. you certainly gave me a strong shot while I am looking for WOC education programs.

I am gonna go with distance learning for sure but now in between, Emory Univeristy and webWOC Nursing education program based in Minneapolis, MN. Do you think the school would make a difference on my professional network and job search?

The pros for Emory are basically because it is well known and they offer split program, study at home, go on-site for a week, and back home to do clinical. Cons are cost more than webWOC, taking all expenses into consideration, air fare, hotel, missing work, more child care support etc.

The pros for webWOC is that I can always study at home, finish clinical in my area, never have to fly out for on-site. Cons are I did not hear any nurses completed the program from here, which made me scared...(sorry to say, seemed not a well-known program, even it is listed as accredited program)...

Anyone can share their input with me???thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leedabeeda]

I love this discussion thread! I am a new to practice OP nurse and love wounds. Am I too new to look into this?