Path to become a Wound Care nurse specialist ?

[Parrhesia, BSN, RN]

Hello,

Lately, I've been doing some career planning.

I am a recent graduate nurse who has a strong passion for wound care nursing.

I would like to know the path it takes to become a wound care nurse specialist in Canada. Can someone who is in this field outline the steps to become a WC certified nurse ?

I know that at some point we are recommended to take a IIWCC course with UofT and/or a Masters in Wound Healing / Wound Care after working for some years. However, as a new grad nurse, what should I do now to prepare for that?

Do you recommend that I look for a job in med/surg, LTC, community/home care or other specialties? Or does it not matter which field in nursing I work in as long as I get to manage wounds as part of my nursing job ?

Thanks for your help !

[theRPN2b]

You would manage a lot of wounds in home care nursing (and also quite a few in LTC or med/surg). But in order to become a clinical nurse specialist for wound care, a Master's degree is what you'll need. In my hospital we have 2 or 3 skin&wound care clinicians (RNs that have specialized in this area,have a master's degree in this), so if you work in an area that has these kind of clinicians,when you see them around ask them for any recommendations they have.

[Parrhesia, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for the advice. I've just commenced my first job as a community health nurse & home care nurse and I've been definitely seeing some wounds.

[wheresthecharge]

You do not necessarily need a Master's to be a wound care specialist.

However, you do need experience on which you are working on! Congratulations!

Certification in wounds is a common listed required or expected qualification for this position.

This can easily be done at a college or university under continuing education.