Course Descriptions

45* ANCC Contact Hours. This seminars course is designed to offer the learner entering the subject area of study with an opportunity to acclimate to the Program.  In this course, background information on the specialty, introduction to a course project to be submitted after the practicum is completed, discussion on how the clinical practicum is setup and basic topics in the specialty of WOC Nursing are presented.  Interaction and questions from learners is essential to being successful in the remainder of the Program.

Content on role implementation for the WOC specialty nurse history of the specialty, legal and ethical issues pertaining to implementation of the role, and professional growth (i.e., WOCN® Society, certification, research utilization and establishing a service or a clinic) are included.

*45 ANCC Contact Hours for Fall 2019 Semester.  30 ANCC Contact Hours for Summer 2019 Semester.  No ANCC Contact Hours were awarded for the Spring 2019 Semester.

60 ANCC Contact Hours. This course focuses on the care of the client across the lifespan who may be at risk for skin breakdown, who has a break in skin integrity or who has an existing wound.  Specifically, learners will gain knowledge of the etiology, differential diagnoses, clinical findings and management options of the wounds or skin complications affecting these groups.  Focus will also be on the adept skill of obtaining a physical assessment and health history, incorporating data from diagnostic tests, and documentation of assessments and evaluations to attain optimal client outcomes.

60 ANCC Contact Hours. This course focuses on the care of the client across the lifespan who has an ostomy or continent diversion.  Specifically, the learner will gain knowledge of the diseases or conditions that may result in an ostomy or continent diversion, assessment and perioperative management of these patients. Emphasis is placed on complications of the stoma and skin, risk assessment, prevention, identification and management. Best practice is frequently the level of research in this field of study.  That knowledge will be presented in order to improve the nurse’s knowledge and client outcomes.

60 ANCC Contact Hours. This course focuses on the care of the client in all care settings who has fecal and/or urinary incontinence.  Specifically, the participant will gain knowledge of transient versus permanent incontinence as well as approaches to manage both.  Classification of the types of urinary incontinence will be described and treatment identified.  Risk assessment, prevention, identification and management of the incontinence problem will be included.  Knowledge will be presented in order to improve the nurse’s knowledge and care of patients with bowel and bladder incontinence issues.

A 40-hr clinical practicum* with an approved preceptor is required to complete each of the Wound/Ostomy or Continence Scope(s). *Starting Summer 2019 Semester.

24 ANCC Contact Hours. This course focuses on building and sustaining a culture of safety in skin and wound care for individual patients, caregivers and the health care system.  Evidence-based practice guides prevention, focused assessments and management approaches. Emphasis is placed on understanding physiology of the skin and how healing occurs followed by types of skin injuries, their prevention and treatment. Skin injuries studied in this course include: skin tears, moisture associated skin damage, mechanical skin injuries, surgical site wound infections, pressure injuries and wounds of the lower extremity.  Efficient utilization of resources that lead to optimal care for the patient and risk reduction with cost containment for the health care system represents the themes of this educational experience.