Tips for getting a preceptor for wound care certification

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Im a new LVN and I am interested in wound care. The National Alliance of Wound Care has a wound care certification program but because I dont have experience they require 3 weeks clinical with a preceptor. It is my responsibility to find a preceptor.

I am not working in health care right now, and I dont have any connections to anyone who is. I was thinking of writing a letter asking for a preceptor and attaching the preceptor/student manual from NAWC and taking it to some wound care clinics. Is this an appropriate thing to do? Since I dont have experience working Im not sure if its annoying if I just showed up to drop off this packet requesting help.

Also, Im sure there is something in it for them, right? The lady I talked to from NAWC said something about setting up with them payment and insurance if needed. How much do preceptors usually charge? Should I bring this up in my request letter?

And lastly, what do you think of wound care? Do you think its a good area to get into?

Thanks!

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I may be wrong, but the last that I knew as far as obtaining wound care certification. A nurse needed 2 years documented experience working with wounds before they were able to take the wound care certifiction exam. Perhaps things have changed.

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This is my job, setting up preceptors for a vocational nursing school. First I would call the clinic and get the office managers name, then prepare your letter , attached your documents and hand carry it to the clinic. Do not expect to get an interview on the spot, they will probably tell you the office manager is busy. Don't be too pushy, just leave your package for her to look over. Give it a couple of days and if you don't hear anything, call her back and see if you can make an appointment to see her. If you get a no, then find out if you can try back later, maybe a couple months. Also if I get a straight no from an office manager, then I'll find out the name of the nurse or the doctor and mail or fax directly to them. If you use a LTC facility make the appointment with the DON or administrator.

Do not focus on your lack of experience, I wouldn't even talk about it, remember students get these preceptors everyday. Just keep the interview short (these are busy people) and talk about your love of this speciality (this is obviously something you will have in common with them) Tell them your dream.

Never offer payment on the first letter. Most will help you out no problem, just a nice gift basket at the end of the preceptorship. Then there are the ones who will openly ask for something, but they are the exception. Carry your own and let the facility know that you do have your own insurance.

Good luck

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lpnflorida- NAWC has added a new pathway to becoming wound care certified. Its on the front of their website http://www.nawccb.org/ You can do one week of class with http://www.wcei.net/ (its very expensive- but from what I heard very worth it). Then you do the 3 weeks of clinical.

mhr2133- Thank you so much! I have prepared a letter- and made it out To Whom it May Concern. I will address it directly to the office manager. Thank you! ps- would you be interested in looking over my letter and telling me what you think?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

Have you taken the course yet? I believe that has to be done prior to the clinical. We were discussing this at work this week since we have 2 nurses(one being myself) who would qualify to be a preceptor. We're not sure if it's feasible in the fast paced center that we work at.

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No, I have not taken the course yet. I want to see if I would be able to find a preceptor first.

I dont have a lot of money and the course is $2,597- $2,897 (depending on how far in advance you pay)- I dont want to spend that much and then not be able to find a preceptor- so Im working backwards a little bit.

And, yes- the order is:

1st- Take the Skin and Wound Management course

2nd- Complete 120 hours of clinical with a preceptor

3rd- Take wound care certification exam

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

Good luck finding a preceptor. We're going to contact WCEI and see how we can help in our area.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I friend of mine came down to Texas to take the wound course at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. After that, she returned to to Iowa to work with the wound care nurse in her county who was leaving (she was training to take her place) and then she took the exam.

There are so many hospitals around the country with wound centers that you could probably find multiple locations to go to. Start by checking the hospitals in your state. I don't know, but perhaps there is some type of wound care registry on the WEB that lists all the wound care centers in the US.

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