Wound Care

[lulu4545]

Im 47 and did CNA for 7 years and will be starting LVN class in July. I chose to go Lvn first; living in CA its kind of hard to get in for R.N. My question is: How do I get the wound care certificate while being a student. I plan on going for LVN to RN specializing in wound care; even though I was CNA i was able to learn alot about wound care. So I know this what I really want to do with my nursing career. Im looking for any advice out there.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

In order to become a true wound care nurse, you need to be certified by the WOCNCB (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Certification Board). In order to obtain this certification, you need to pass a certification exam. In addition, you need either 1. To complete an accredited WOC education program in the past 5 years before you sit for the exam. Or 1. Complete 50 contact (education hours) and 1500 clinical hours in wound care in the past 5 years (375 in the year preceding when you sit with the exam).

But in order to pursue this certification, you need an RN degree and a BSN. I tried to look into wound certification while I was in school, but it researching online and and speaking to my instructors (who were wound certified) I found that it was not possible to do it as a student. In order to get certified, all the clinical hours have to be completed after you are licensed.

With a quick google search, I found that there are some organizations that appear to offer wound care certification classes to LPNs, but I'm not sure how credible they are as far as helping you find work in the wound care field. If you are applying for would care positions, the great majority will be looking for RN's who have their WOCN certification.

When I was in nursing school, I did a 16 week clinical in an outpatient wound care clinic. Many of the nurses worked in home care before they came to the clinic. Home care is a great opportunity to get some good experience in wound care, and there are home care organizations that you can work for as an LPN. Med-surg units also have plenty of wounds and skilled rehab facilities can be a good place to get experience with wounds as well.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

there are other certifications besides WOCN, although that is the gold standard. You need to google for them, then find out what are the qualifications. I feel sure you need to be a nurse in all instances and have some experience in that capacity. Not sure if LPN/LVN is eligible, but you can find out! Good luck on your career.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

most certifications in specialties require rn and 1-5 years in practice in the field; some require bsn.