The WOCNCB’s requirements for Experiential Pathway are:
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Baccalaureate (or higher) degree
- 1,500 direct patient clinical hours (for EACH specialty) completed within the five years preceding WOCNCB exam application. 375 hours must occur within one year preceding exam application.
- 50 CE/CME (contact hours) or an equivalent in college course work (for EACH specialty) completed within the five years preceding WOCNCB exam application. (Emory WOCNEC's Wound and Ostomy Experiential courses will provide students with the 50 contact hours necessary to satisfy this requirement).
WOCNEC does not require these items to purchase the Audit course. The clinical hours must be obtained before applying for WOCNCB certification. You can take the courses before obtaining all of the clinical hours, but you will not be able to apply for certification until you meet the eligibility requirements.
Completion of Emory WOCNEC Audit courses (experiential pathway) will provide the following contact hours:
- Wound: 53 hours
- Ostomy: 57 hours
- Continence: 40 hours*
*The Continence Audit course provides 40 contact hours. You will need to show proof of an additional 10 contact hours before applying for WOCNCB certification.
- Bridge Week is not included in the tuition for Experiential Pathway. If you would like to purchase and attend, refer to the Optional Bridge Week Information page.
- Clinical is not required for the Experiential Pathway. Students are required to have at least 1,500 clinical hours in the specialty.
- The Professional Practice course is not required for the Experiential Pathway. Students have already transitioned into the specialty role.
Join us for a Virtual Information Session. Information Sessions are a great opportunity to connect with our administration and instructor teams to learn more about our programs including admission criteria, program methodology, and graduation requirements.
All courses are online, asynchronous, and self-paced. Students are allowed 3 months online access per course, but can follow an accelerated schedule if desired. The courses include learning objectives, suggested readings (provided in both hard copy and online formats*), video lectures, learning activities, quizzes, and exams. (*Online format only for Foot and Nail course.) A score of 80% is required for all graded assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Wound Course
- general skin care
- prevention and management of pressure injuries
- differential assessment and interventions for lower extremity ulcers, e.g., arterial, venous and neuropathic
- principles of wound debridement
- appropriate and cost effective topical therapy
- appropriate and cost effective utilization of support surfaces
- systemic support for wound healing
- diabetic foot care
Click here for more information on the Wound Course.
Ostomy Course
- stoma site marking
- management of small bowel, large bowel and urinary diversions
- product selection
- sexual counseling/rehabilitation care
- continent diversions
Click here for more information on the Ostomy Course.
Continence Course
- assessment for causative and contributing factors
- conservative management
- CIC, pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, fluid and diet management, behavioral therapies (toileting programs), absorptive and containment products
Click here for more information on the Continence Course.
The costs to attend the optional Bridge Week sessions are located on the Program Costs page.
Bridge Week is an optional component of the Experiential Pathway. Bridge Week provides students an opportunity to network with other WOC nursing students, meet the instructors, clarify concepts, and perform hands-on skills and competencies.
Bridge Week is not actually a “week” Students attend the sessions that correlate with their program of study. The sessions are color coded by specialty on the Generic Bridge Week Schedule.
2021 Bridge Week Dates (Cancelled thru May due to COVID-19)
- Jan 11-14
- Feb 1-4
- Feb 22-25
- Mar 22-25
- April 19-22
- May 10-13
- Jun 7-10
- Jul 12-15
- Aug 9-12
- Sep 13-16
- Oct 4-7
- Oct 25-28
- Nov 15-18
- Dec 6-9
All clinical courses must be completed at least 2 weeks prior to Bridge Week attendance in order to complete the pre-Bridge Week assignments that are required.
The following documents are required to attend the optional Bridge Week:
- Current Nursing License
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Proof of CPR
- Proof of Universal Precautions
- MD Statement
Send the required documents to wocnec@emory.edu.
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