i am still a nursing student but i'm very interested in becoming a wound care nurse.
i have been dealing with a good share of different types decubitus in my clinicals and find it extremely rewarding when i see my patients (clients) healing...
i am intrigued and fascinated at the wonderful way our body was created to basically heal itself (with a little help of course).
would anyone please tell me if this a good field to get into....is it possible to start while i am in nursing school? or am i just dreaming and these specialty nurses need like a 20-year-experience requirement.
I am also interested in becoming a wound care nurse one day. I am actually doing a presentation on the process of becoming a wound care specialist nurse. If anyone would like to offer some information it would be great. I haven't found much on what you have to do to get started.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Hi Sandy,
I would absolutely encourage you to learn more about advanced wound management. While I think most would agree you should spend at least a year in med-surg or some form of traditional nursing care, once you have your "sea legs" I think those who get involved in this specialty, really enjoy it.
Are you in Las Vegas? If so, you just missed the WOCN annual conference. but don't fret, the SAWC conference is being held in LV next year. You should definately meet some of the reps that detail wound care products in your part of town. Most of the larger companies put on local educational seminars to educate clinicians on the community standard of wound care.
Again, I'd advise you to spend at least a year or two doing general nursing, just so you reinforce and don't waste your academic training. Then you'll have more of a nursing background to help you specialize.
Hello Rand. I too am interested in this field.... I am a seasoned nurse and diversed in my nursing experience. How much does a nurse in this specialization get paid for? I guess what is the average range of the pay?
I am currently attending Lpn courses at Lanier tech in Oakwood Georgia.I have heard a lot of good things about wound care certification for Lnps.My question is can I become wound care certified without having worked in wound care before?I have been looking for information on it.From what have read most places what you to have at least two years experince, like the Wound care education Institute for example. Any information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Hello,
I am currently attending Lpn courses at Lanier tech in Oakwood Georgia.I have heard a lot of good things about wound care certification for Lnps.My question is can I become wound care certified without having worked in wound care before?I have been looking for information on it.From what have read most places what you to have at least two years experince, like the Wound care education Institute for example. Any information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.
Me too ! I am interested in this area.....and I do not have any experience either , but am interested in this. What areas can you work w/ this certification? How is the hourly pay? What is the best school to go to?
Would appreciate some info in this one please . thank you!
I do know that having this certication can increase you yearly salary by 15'000 a year. So it is so worth it. Just not sure how long you have to be in the feild before you can qualify to sit for the exam.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
I do know that having this certication can increase you yearly salary by 15'000 a year. So it is so worth it. Just not sure how long you have to be in the feild before you can qualify to sit for the exam.
thank you, this helps too. I am in the process of looking at schools and certification requirements . Nowadays , it helps to pick your specialty , focus and work at it.
The National Board Certification Exam is held every April and October at over 30 different sites nationwide. You have to contact AAWM for a candidate Handbook. I was grandfathered in so I had to submit a ton of stuff. 5 letters of recommendation from HC professionals I worked with, a 2 page essay on why I want this certification, Assorted CEU's on wound care and management that I attended and so on. This was in 1998. I believe now, you take the exam after you have completed their seminars. I know the next exam is 10/19/02. The materials from the candidate handbook have to be returned by September 6th to sit for the exam. My certification is good for 10 years with 16 hours of CEU's r/t wound care due every year. It has really made a difference in my career. Hope this helps!:)
I was reading your post and was wondering...do you work in a wound care clinic or in a hospital on a floor that has a mix of patients? I am unable to find wound/vascular centers.
My wound care certification didn't get me any more compensation, but it was a requirement for my job. I work in a Wound Care Center. I don't know of anyone who made $15,000 more due to certification. I had to document at least 2 years of wound care experience, which in my case they accepted my 25 years of general nursing.
Hello Rand. I too am interested in this field.... I am a seasoned nurse and diversed in my nursing experience. How much does a nurse in this specialization get paid for? I guess what is the average range of the pay?
shygirl
279 Posts
Yes. It was I. Why don't you have your PM on?