Become a WOC Nurse Specialist!

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What is a WOC Nurse Specialist?

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.

How do I become a WOC Nurse Specialist?

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. 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.

Traditional VS Self-Paced VS Experiential

WEB WOC offers 2 delivery options for completing the WOC Nursing Education Program(NEP).  WEB WOC also offers an Experiential CE Pathway:

  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 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 with less faculty guidance. Faculty feedback remains an important aspect of learning in this approach but is less frequent than in the Traditional Program. For learners who desire more control over their schedules, this may be their best option.
  3. The Experiential CE Pathway option is WEB WOC’s most recent addition to its delivery options for nurses seeking wound care certification and/or ostomy care certification. This Program was developed to allow the experienced Wound and/or Ostomy Care Nurse a comprehensive and curated educational path towards certification that utilizes ANCC Contact Hours and the nurses prior experience as a nurse in the wound care scope of practice.  The offering can also be utilized to meet the maximum 40 continuing education credits allowed with PGP re-certification through the WOCNCB.

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). For learners with experience in the scope of practice, the experiential pathway fit your educational needs.

Please check out these questions to assess which program delivery best suits you!

I am interested in becoming certified in wound, ostomy, or continence nursing specialty but I do not have 1500 clinical hours of experience in any of the specialty scopes of practice. Traditional or Self-Paced NEP
I am interested in becoming certified in wound or ostomy nursing specialty and I have 1500 clinical hours of experience in the desired scope of practice (wound or ostomy) so I do not need the clinical practicum. Experiential CE Pathway
I am not seeking initial WOC nurse specialty certification but am interested in learning more about wound and ostomy care through continued education (CEs). Experiential CE Pathway
I am already certified as a wound or ostomy nurse specialist through the Wound Ostomy Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB) but am looking for specialty CEs to apply towards recertification through the Professional Growth Program (PGP). Experiential CE Pathway
I learn best when the faculty member lectures content so I can ask questions and hear questions from other learners in the class. Traditional NEP
I can direct my own schedule and complete materials prior to the deadlines. Self-Paced NEP
I have the time to devote to studying more than usual and plan to finish significantly early. Self-Paced NEP
I’m traveling during the coursework and don’t want to be tied to my computer during that time. Self-Paced NEP
A faculty-lead experience is important so that I can be reminded of scheduled deadlines. Traditional NEP
I am a focused learner and able to understand most things on my own. Self-Paced NEP
Procrastination is a problem because I become distracted with other things and may not get my coursework finished. Traditional NEP
I know very little about the content or have a special learning need. Traditional NEP
I want to have more time to complete the content “just in case” I need it. Self-Paced NEP
I enjoy learning in a community of learners where I can share ideas, learn from others and potentially develop new collegial relationships. Traditional NEP
I am planning to obtain an advanced practice degree in the future so a rigorous course towards certification will reflect my ability to complete a rigorous post-bachelor’s educational program. Traditional or Self-Paced NEP

The chart below provides the differences between each delivery option.

Traditional NEP Self-Paced NEP Experiential CE Pathway
Pathway Description A structured and rigorous learning approach with close faculty guidance and feedback. Each course is 4 weeks in length with specific dates for course opening and closing, live classes, assignments, quizzes, and finals.  Learners in the Traditional NEP courses are in a cohort. For learners who desire more control over their schedules and choice related to deadlines for assignments, quizzes, and finals. The learner is given 8 weeks to complete each theory course with less faculty guidance as compared to Traditional.  Learner does not have a cohort. This is an OnDemand CE course package with no faculty.
Admissions Application required, with deadline. Application required, rolling admission. Application to WEB WOC is not needed.  This is available for purchase OnDemand.
Schedule Structured, Semester-based, set due dates. 4 weeks/course. Learner paced with one overall Program deadline. Approximately 8 weeks/course. Learner paced with 6 months to complete each Experiential CE Pathway course.
Faculty Role Regular Communication with Faculty and other Learners.

Close guidance and feedback.

 Minimal Communication with Faculty, no contact with other Learners. Significantly less faculty feedback than traditional. No contact with faculty or other learners.
Flexibility Medium Flexibility. Maximum Flexibility. Maximum Flexibility.
Learning Activities Weekly assignments, quizzes, and a final exam. Independent study with assignments, quizzes and final exam.

 

 OnDemand continuing education activities.

 
Classes 1 live class/week. Attendance is recommended but optional as the live class is recorded for learners unable to attend.

 

 All course lectures are pre-recorded and accessible any time.

 

 All CE presentations are pre-recorded and accessible any time.

 
Independence in Learning Medium, live classes and faculty feedback allow for guided learning in addition to independent study. High, complete independence. Learning is self-guided.

 

 High, complete independence. Learning is self-guided.

 

 

Traditional WOC Pathway

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.

Read more

Self-Paced WOC Pathway

The Self-Paced 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 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.

 

Read more

Experiential Pathway

Wound and Ostomy Experiential CE Pathway is now available! 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.

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Clinical Practicum

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:

Currently not available.

 

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Preceptor Application

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.