Is learning wound care hard?

[IMOKAY, BSN]

I'm interested in learning wound care and being a certified wound care nurse eventually.  

I've been looking at wound care education institute and other reputable sites for learning. This specialty looks very complicated with so many wound types/causes, bandages and treatment methods! 

Please tell me how you all first got into this specialty.  Hands on training? Which is better - inpatient hospital floor/SNF or outpatient clinic? 

Is it really as complicated and overwhelming as it looks?  Non compliant patients are always a frustration in all areas of nursing. What are some other obstacles? 

Pros and cons, liabilities.  

Thanks!

[Mty69]

I’m interested in knowing also.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

Wound care experience is helpful in a variety of areas of nursing.

I first became interested in wound care while working in a SNF and quickly made friends with the wound care nurse; I learned so much from her.

My interest in wounds continued when I transitioned into hospice nursing. I eventually took an online certificate course in wound care from the University of Southern Indiana and when I had enough experience to be eligible to sit for wound care certification I did.

I continue to take every opportunity to learn more about wounds. Learning how to accurately measure wounds and assess wounds takes time, it's not something you learn in one sitting. Differentiating between wound types took me practice as well but I enjoy figuring things out.

Treatment principles do have some variance based on patient goals, providers and supply formularies. Working WITH patients to identify reasons for non-compliance can help to overcome this barrier in many cases - other times people are just going to do what they want.

 

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

Can an LPN be a wound care nurse? 

[Kaybella, BSN, RN]

@vampiregirl Can you tell me more about the WCC program you took at Univ of southern Indiana. I am looking at this vs Emory. USI is so much cheaper. Do they require any in-person attance. Do you get any support from staff ect

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

I had a great experience with the program. Completely asynchronous, no in-person attendance. I was able to make the assignments work with my schedule. I learned a lot, but I also put considerable effort into my learning experience. I would highly recommend this program. Very well organized. And so much less expensive compared to other options.

It's not specifically a WCC program but meets their requirements for education. I had the experience required working with wounds, just had to complete the education piece prior to being approved to sit for the WCC exam.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

On 9/18/2022 at 12:41 PM, ItalianRN said:

Can an LPN be a wound care nurse? 

Yep. In fact the nurse that inspired me to become a wound care nurse is a LPN.

I can't speak for the different credentialing agencies as to which ones accept LPNs to sit for their exams but I know LPNs can sit for the Alliance for Wound Care and Ostomy (the WCC certification).

I know several LPNs who are wound care nurses at SNFs. This is a great skill set for SNF nurses.