Wound Care NP

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2015

I am not an NP but maybe I can help a bit :)

Before one can specialize, one has to complete the general education. For instance, a person may want to become a pediatric RN, but one does not go to school "for that", they go to school to become an RN....and then specialize once the overall, generalized education is done. Unless you are not in the U.S., which makes this a different story...

I'm not really sure what you mean by "wound care NP"; there are several certifications available for an RN who wishes to specialize in wound care, and they are most definitely "wound care nurses". One does not need to become an NP in order to work in this specialty.

I would think if wound care is your major interest, simply becoming a nurse is your first and most likely your last licensing designation requirement. The entities that confer the titles for wound care nurse, wound care specialist have their own requirements for eligibility to take the credentialing exam, but none of that requires that the applicant be an advanced practice nurse. Some require a specific amount of time working in the area.....some not.

I think pursuing a degree in nursing is first and foremost what your concern should be....and then see what is available to you MUCH later on :)

Good luck!

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2015

I know one NP who works excusively for wound care clinic/hyperbaric oxygen center. She got her BSN while working bedside med/surg, then got wound care certification and went through FNP program while doing part time wound care in LTACH. She says that, viewing back, adult/geriatric primary care and some purely surgical experience would be useful.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 17, 2015

Moved to Student NP forum

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 18, 2015

We have 2 Wound Care NP's in our hospital. They are employed by the medical center and only see patients in the adult hospital. They are a basically a consult service meaning providers in the hospital would ask them to see patients with all types of skin integrity issues from non-healing/chronic ulcers, pressure ulcers, complex surgical wounds, etc. They make recommendations on appropriate wound care therapies and provide a lot of education on wound care to both providers and nurses. Both are trained as primary care NP's (FNP or ANP) but have certification through WOCN. Previously, I personally know Wound Care NP's who work with a Plastic Surgeon. They have a clinic and also see patients in nursing homes. They are trained as ANP's.