What do wound care nurses like about their work?
One thing wound management specialists and wound care nurses know is this work is intellectually challenging. With each patient you see, you need to continuously apply cell biology, chemistry and personalized communication, according to Thimsen. You need a strong understanding of tissue breakdown and patient needs related to nutrition, hydration, prevention and intervention strategies along with adherence to evidence-based therapeutic protocols and practices.
“Of course, being competent with documentation protocols is also imperative as they support compliance to regulatory and legal aspects of the wound healing industry,” Thimsen says.
Because many wound care nurses work with patients for an extended period of time, Thimsen emphasizes that getting to know your patient as an individual is also part of the reward. “Knowing your patient at that level aids in creating realistic and personalized plans of care that help to achieve wound healing and closure.”
There’s also sort of a hero’s satisfaction that comes with being called in to help tend to a patient with wound treatment needs that stretch beyond a typical nurse’s skill set. These nurses regularly tend to wounds that leave otherwise hardened healthcare professionals wide-eyed and ready to tap out—and being the trusted specialist in these situations can be satisfying.
How to become a wound care nurse
The path to becoming a wound care nurse has layers. Both licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) have options for pursuing specialized wound care training and certification. The Wound Care Certified (WCC®) credential from the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy® is a common and broadly accessible option for healthcare providers.
Another option is to pursue the Certified Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN®) credential from the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB®). This comprehensive, advanced credential is available only to nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree who have also fulfilled specific eligibility requirements that can include completion of post-baccalaureate education programs. While this is a significant commitment, the additional training and rigor backing this credential make it a well-regarded option among healthcare providers.
Experience is also going to be an important factor, according to Rhodes. In most circumstances, aspiring wound care nurses will benefit from two or more years of bedside nursing experience prior to pursuing certification. Nurses can use this time to acquire wound care treatment experience whenever possible. For instance, working with a charge nurse to be assigned patients with comparatively complex wound care needs, working as a “float” nurse in acute care settings or asking to shadow and assist established wound care nurses can all provide valuable experience—and perspective—for determining if this is the right specialty role for you.
Wrapping up
Wound care is a complex and highly practical area to focus your nursing expertise. Nurses of all education levels have ways to round out their knowledge—and their resumes—with specialized wound care certifications and training.
