The WOC Nurse directs multifaceted, evidence-based practice for patients with Wound, Ostomy, and Continence care issues to improve the care, life and health of patients across the lifespan in all health care settings. The WOC Nurse Specialist functions as a Clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, advocate and practice administrator to Incorporate health maintenance, Therapeutic intervention, Rehabilitative and palliative nursing care as needed. Collaboration and coordination of team related to quality improvement initiatives are key to improved care within this role as is education of patients/families, healthcare team and the public.

WEB WOC^® has course delivery options to meet your needs as a learner!  To be eligible to sit for your certification exam(s) through the WOCNCB^®, WEB WOC has developed the following options for you to become a WOC Nurse Specialist:

1. Graduate from WEB WOC’s Nursing Education Program by:
   1. Completing theory in either the Traditional Program or Self-Paced Program.
   2. Completing clinical either via the Traditional Practicum or WEB WOC’s Virtual Clinical Practicum
2. Meet the WOCNCB Experiential Pathway Requirements:
   1. COMING SOON! Complete WEB WOC’s Experiential Pathway Course (50 Contact Hours) for each scope of practice you are looking to become certified in.
   2. Nurse must have 1500 direct patient clinical hours within the last 5 years, with 375 of those hours within the year prior to applying for the exam.

WEB WOC offers 2 Program delivery options for completing the WOC Nursing Education Program:

1. The Traditional Program with 16 weeks of content that includes all 3 scopes of practice and the Seminars Course (i.e. the learner continues to be able to take a single, dual, or full scope of practice). Each theory course is 4 weeks in length with specific dates for course opening and closing, live classes, assignments, quizzes, and finals. This structured learning approach has close faculty guidance and feedback.
2. The Self-Paced Program is WEB WOC’s most recent addition to its delivery options. This Program was developed to allow the learner flexibility and choice related to deadlines for assignments, quizzes, and finals. The learner receives twice as much time to complete theory (i.e. 8 weeks per course) with less faculty guidance. Faculty feedback remains an important aspect of learning in this approach but is less frequent that in the Traditional Program. For learners who desire more control over their schedules, this may be their best option.

The option that is best for you depends upon numerous learner preferences and schedules. The learner who needs a schedule with deadlines set by the faculty member and closer contact with faculty to stay on track or to deal with special learning issues, will likely learn best within the traditional program. For learners who desire a more flexible schedule with less faculty input, the self-paced option may prove ideal. The self-paced option is useful for learners who want to determine how quickly they will complete the Program (as long as it does not exceed the 8 week per course deadline).

Please check out these questions to access which type of program delivery best suits you!

The Traditional Program with 16 weeks of content that includes all 3 scopes of practice and the Seminars Course (i.e. the learner continues to be able to take a single, dual, or full scope of practice). Each theory course is 4 weeks in length with specific dates for course opening and closing, live classes, assignments, quizzes, and finals.  This structured learning approach has close faculty guidance and feedback.

The Self-Paced Program is WEB WOC’s most recent addition to its delivery options. This Program was developed to allow the learner flexibility and choice related to deadlines for assignments, quizzes, and finals. The learner receives twice as much time to complete theory (approximately 8 weeks per course) with less faculty guidance. Faculty feedback remains an important aspect of learning in this approach but is less frequent that in the Traditional Program. For learners who desire more control over their schedules, this may be their best option.

COMING SOON! WEB WOC has developed a comprehensive Experiential Pathway course that provides the required 50 Contact Hours for each scope of practice for nurses that are looking to certify through the WOCNCB or for nurses looking for PGP hours for recertification.

Traditional Practicum:

A 40-hr clinical practicum with an approved preceptor is required to complete each Scope of Practice.  A full scope of practice requires 120 hours of experience with the preceptor.

Virtual Clinical Practicum:

NEW! WEB WOC has been approved by the WOCN, to offer Virtual Clinical Practicum experiences (i.e. simulation, competency-based education and other forms of clinical education and evaluation) that do not require a clinical facility during this time of international health care crisis with COVID-19. This option adds convenience for the learner:  1) No need to search for a Preceptor,  2) No concern about facility rules and regulations, (contract, orientation, health record and vaccinations), 3) No travel, and 4) Utilization of experienced preceptors at WEB WOC.   An additional fee will be charged to utilize this option.

Preceptors in the WEB WOC Preceptor Network provide a crucial role in WOC education. Once learners have completed the theoretical portion of the program, they are eager to put it into practice. WEB WOC Preceptors, credentialed experts in their field, provide clinical guidance and support throughout the clinical practicum.

Preceptor applications for the WEB WOC Nursing Education Program are accepted throughout the year. For information on clinical expectations and preceptor qualifications are below.

ONLINE PRECEPTOR APPLICATION. Start by creating a WEB WOC UserID and Password and then complete the online application. You may begin your application at any time, save your information, and return to complete the application if you don’t have all the necessary information at hand. Once your application is finished, you must click “SUBMIT” in order to complete the online application process. If you do not see the message “THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION”, you have not fully completed the online application process. We look forward to welcoming you into the WEB WOC Preceptor Network!

Clinical Contracting Information Form. Learners: If your preceptor has not already submitted this information to WEB WOC, please click the link and it will take you to a digital form to be completed. A contract between WEB WOC Nursing Education Program and your preceptor’s facility is required prior to beginning your clinical experience. WEB WOC will facilitate this process but requires the contact information for the person in charge of contracting at your preceptor’s facility (someone with the authority to review and sign legal contracts for the facility). The contracting process can take eight to ten weeks so please complete and submit this form as soon possible.