WOC certification without a BSN?

RachRN11 · Sep 15, 2018

To become a CWOCN (WOC certification), they require a bachelor's degree. There are other options, however. Look into wcei.net they offer a wound care specialty.

Ellekat2 · Sep 15, 2018

The WOCN requires A bachelor's degree. Unless there has been a very recent change, this is any bachelor's degree, not a BSN. The WOCN program is very well-respected. You can get info at WOCN.org.

I have a WCC from WCEI (WCEI.net). While it is adequate for my needs (I'm a WCC in an Outpatient Wound Clinic), if I had the time and money, I would go for the WOCN program, especially if you are looking at working another 30-40 years. If you just need a basic certification to get you started, you can find programs online for under $1,000 and the test is around $400. There is one called SAWC (SAWC.net) that an APRN I know chose to prepare for for certification. A source of comparision of programs: http://woundcareworcester.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Certification-comparision.pdf

Also, check out wound care info on PESI.com on the medical, not behavioral health, side of their site. They occasionally have wound courses for 50% off if you watch their monthly specials.

::Goodie::, RN · Oct 8, 2018

The confusion may come from the fact that in 1985, the IAET began to require a BSN in order to become Board Certified as an Enterostomal Therapist. In 1991 the IAET became the WOCN Society, and that year also determined that a BSN, or an RN with a Bachelor's Degree, any subject, could become a WOC Nurse. After completion of an approved program, you may have the designation of Wound Care Nurse, Ostomy Care Nurse, Continence Care Nurse, or, full scope WOC Nurse. Full scope nurses may use the letters "WOC Nurse", while those with one or two scopes need to spell out those titles separated by a comma (if more than one) ...You may need a bigger badge!! Perhaps one of the incentives to go on and take the test is to tighten up the name badge.

When you complete certification by passing the national tests for each scope (there are 3 separate), you may use the abbreviation CWOCN (for full scope) for example: Jane Smith, BSN, RN, CWOCN. If you are certified in one or two scopes, you must list those individually. Jane Brown, RN, CWCN, CCCN or if dual wound/ostomy you may actually use CWON.

Regardless, it's not correct to designate oneself as "Jane Doe, BSN, RN, WOCN" as "WOCN" is trademarked by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse's Society. WOCN Society just (Fall, 2018) had a recent campaign reminding the healthcare community of this possible error.

It is interesting to note that the first Enterostomal Therapists were not registered or licensed nurses, at all - the requirement was that one had to have a stoma or be closely related to someone living with an ostomy. RN Licensure was required for Enterostomal school only as recently as 1976.

HTH, currently I am answering this thread as to avoid completing a paper!!!