Wound Care Certification question

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

Could anyone explain to me the preferred certification for wound care specialist-I'm researching either WEBWOC (internet based program, arrange your practicum hours in your area) or WCEI (which I prefer as it's a one-week program, and then they administer the certification exam at the end of the program).

Are either of these programs preferred over the other, in order to become a wound care specialist RN?

Any guidance is appreciated.

Sincerely,

UnitRN01

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Have never seen a preference. Most places that advertise for wound care nurses usually only mention the WOCN cert.

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Hi,

I posted an explanation of the various certifications under the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Forum (look under the Specialty tab).

Keep in mind that the WCEI is 4 days of training, vs the programs that enable you to sit for the CWOCN certification exam (which can take many months, but are very thorough).

In my experience, the CWOCN is the preferred certification, but you need a BSN, and it is much longer and harder. However, the cost is about the same.

Full disclosure: I just finished the program at Emory University for the CWOCN cert. I can't imagine that what you learn in 4 days can rival what the CWOCN courses offer.

Just my humble opinion,

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

Thanks for responding. I do have my BSN, and am in school for my MSN degree in nursing education. I've been interested in wound care nursing for some time, and I agree with you that the longer program would probably be the better quality program.

Is any part of Emory's program online?

Thanks,

UnitRN01

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Thanks for responding. I do have my BSN, and am in school for my MSN degree in nursing education. I've been interested in wound care nursing for some time, and I agree with you that the longer program would probably be the better quality program.

Is any part of Emory's program online?

Thanks,

UnitRN01

Hi, UnitRN01,

I'm also in school for my MSN! Anyway, Emory has 3 different tracks:

1) All at Emory (I think it's 8-10 weeks)

2) Split (Class at Emory, clinicals at home)

3) Distance learning (this is what I did--self study modules, clinicals at home, plus one week at Emory).

I thought it was a great program, and I learned a lot.

However, there are also several other programs that might work out for you:

http://www.wocn.org/Education/WOCN_Accredited_Programs

Anyweay, good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

How did you arrange the clinical practicum portion of the program? Was it a do-able program? Meaning, could one do it over the summer, etc?

Thanks,

UnitRN01

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How did you arrange the clinical practicum portion of the program? Was it a do-able program? Meaning, could one do it over the summer, etc?

Thanks,

UnitRN01

Well, I only did the wound and the ostomy modules, each of which was about 300 pages long. The ostomy module has 2 tests, the wound module has one test. There is also a professional practice module which requires you do an inservice. I started last August and finished it in February.

Part of my clinicals were done with my clinical coordinator at work, and I found the other preceptor on the WOCN discussion groups. I found that WOC nurses are very supportive and helpful.

So doing it over a summer might be a little ambitious. However, I did it along with my MSN program, but I only take one class a quarter.

Oldiebutgoodie

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