Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Center
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What Is the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Center?
The Emory University Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Center (WOCNEC) provides both accredited post-baccalaureate programs and continuing education programs.
About
The Emory University Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Center (Emory WOCNEC) provides both accredited post-baccalaureate programs and continuing education courses.
Accredited by the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society TM (WOCN®) since 1976, Emory WOCNEC prepares graduate nurses to provide specialty care for patients with acute and chronic wounds, standard and continent ostomy diversions, and fecal and urinary incontinence. All courses are provided by the Emory Nursing Professional Development Center, an accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Pathways to Certification
There are two pathways to Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB®) certification: Traditional and Experiential. The Traditional Pathway is intended for baccalaureate prepared nurses with at least one year of full-time experience as an RN in any clinical specialty. The Experiential Pathway is intended for baccalaureate prepared nurses who are already working in a WOC nursing specialty (or Foot and Nail) and meet specific WOCNCB® eligibility requirements.
Pathways
Blended Education for Working Professionals
The Traditional Pathway is the most common option to prepare for WOCNCB certification. Our blended program combines the flexibility of independent, online learning with full faculty support, 2 or 3 days (depending on program of study) of onsite training to practice essential psychomotor skills (Bridge Week), and clinical hours with an approved preceptor near you.
Expedited Certification for Those Who Meet Requirements
The Experiential Pathway is an option for RNs with at least 1,500 specialty specific clinical hours (post-baccalaureate degree and RN licensure). The Experiential courses provide contact hours only. A hybrid option is also available, e.g., certify via the Experiential Pathway for one specialty and the Traditional Pathway for others.
Specialty Certification
Foot and Nail Certification requires a combination of contact hours and clinical experience. Upon successful completion of the Foot and Nail 2.2 Experiential Pathway course, you will be awarded 25.45 contact hours. The course does not include clinical hours nor assistance in arranging them.
Which Pathway Is Right for You?
Here are the differences between the Traditional Pathway and Experiential Pathway to earn your WOC Certification.
Recertification
Certification Review Manuals
The WOCNEC offers several resources to help you prepare for WOC Recertification. Please see links to the right to purchase review manuals ONLY (not the review courses).
Wound Certification Review:
Ostomy Certification Review
Continence Certification Review
Pocket Pals
Additionally, the WOCNEC offers Pocket Pals — a pocket-sized quick reference guide — to help you prepare for WOC recertification.
Wound Pocket Pal
Ostomy Pocket Pal
Continence Pocket Pal
Exam Preperation
The WOCNCB® has exam preparation resources available.
WOCN® Society has published a set of Core Curriculum textbooks. It is strongly encouraged to invest in these textbooks as they are helpful resources to prepare for the certification exam through the WOCNCB®. These books can be purchased from the publisher Wolters Kluwer: www.LWW.com or on Amazon by searching “WOCN core curriculum".
Scholarships
Scholarship Opportunities
Here are scholarship opportunities for wound, ostomy, continence nurses:
- WOCN® Foundation Scholarship Program
- WOCN® Chapters (contact your chapter for scholarship information)
- UOAA Educational Award for Ostomy Nurse Certification
Events
Contact
Address
250 East Ponce De Leon Avenue
Suite 400
Decatur, GA 30030
Office Hours
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Contact Information
Office: 404-778-4067