WOCN or ET Nurses Questions

[lighthouseRN]

Hello, I am wondering if there are any WOCN or ET nurses available to answer a few questions. I am about to graduate with my BSN in February and have considered ET school at the Cleveland Clinic next year. I am a single working nurse/mother and can not afford to make a bad decision.What is the difference between ET and WOCN certification? I would like to know what the job outlook is for this nursing specialty. What kind of salary can a nurse with certification expect to make? Where are these nurses employed? I live in Michigan but will be willing to relocate if necessary. Are there any Michigan ET or WOCN nurses out there who can answer my questions or steer me in the right direction to find out more information about this profession in my state? Thanks in advance to those who respond.

[sampach]

I would think you should work a few years before you go for WOCN; get a good solid background in med-surg/ICU then specialize in wounds.I

went to the CC for my training and it was excellant. they have a split program where you can do clinicals closer to home; it is intense classroom for 1 month then clinicals will a preceptor.

[lighthouseRN]

Thanks for the advise. I have been a practicing RN in a med/surg setting for six years. I think I have a solid foundation. I am being considered for the Wound Ostomy position at the facility where I am currently employed. Hopefully through networking with other professional in my local area I will find the answers I seek. Thanks again!

[CodyRN]

What is the CC program schedule like? Is it possible to work while you are taking the classes and clinicals?

[Renee cwocn]

go to www. wocn.org for info on the webwoc program through metropolitan state university. on line but you must find an approved preceptor to do clinicals with.

[CodyRN]

I would think you should work a few years before you go for WOCN; get a good solid background in med-surg/ICU then specialize in wounds.I

went to the CC for my training and it was excellant. they have a split program where you can do clinicals closer to home; it is intense classroom for 1 month then clinicals will a preceptor.

Are the classes during business hours, did you have to take time off from work?

[margo533]

You definitely need at least five years of med-surg practice before going for certification. This is because the CWON must consider age, prognosis, cognition, ALL body systems, comorbidities, nutritional & immune stutus, medications, psycho-social support system, etc etc when treating patients with wounds & ostomies. I think this is true of any nursing specialty--you must first be an expert generalist before you can specialize.