Wound Care Certification

Does this sound familiar?

“I have worked in the health care field for 17 years. In the beginning, my career was filled with new experiences and an endless amount of new information to be absorbed. I longed for the day when my confidence level would be such that I knew enough to feel less anxious than I did as a new graduate.
These days, I almost wish that I could recapture the exhilaration of my first job after graduation, when I was excited about all aspects of my job and there was so much to learn and do. I long to feel the excitement about my career that I once did. At this point in my career, I feel as if I need a change, like I am stuck in a rut. I don’t enjoy my job as much as I did in the beginning, and feel as though something is missing. I just haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up! I know that something needs to change, but I don’t know what”.

The above quote, from a registered nurse who has been practicing for years in the same area, may sound familiar to you. It is not uncommon for health care professionals, no matter their background, to feel this way. Health care professionals are generally people who enjoy learning and the challenge that learning brings. This quality of curiosity and the enjoyment of learning that makes people choose health care as a profession is the same quality that can lead to boredom and job dissatisfaction.

Once you have identified the need to make a change in your career, what is the next step? Your next logical move is to find an area that interests you. Identifying an area that interests you will help to narrow your focus, and point you in the direction that you need to go.

Specializing in a specific area can allow you to stay in your chosen field, yet broaden your knowledge and open new avenues to you. Becoming certified in an area of interest can bring new career opportunities, higher pay, and can provide greater job satisfaction. Becoming specialized may be just what the doctor ordered to cure career boredom and burnout, and may help you to put the passion back into your career.

Becoming wound care certified may be an option for you if you enjoy the challenge of diagnosis, treatment, and problem solving. Wound care is a field which is growing by leaps and bounds with no signs of letting up, due to an aging population, and advances in treatment that are allowing elderly people to live longer with conditions that may have meant an earlier demise decades ago.

Woundeducators.com can satisfy your need to challenge yourself in your career, providing an opportunity to become certified in one of the fastest-growing specialties today. Becoming a wound care specialist can lead to higher wages, better job opportunities, and a renewed satisfaction in your career. Contact us today, and start your journey towards a new or improved career.

 

E-learning is fast becoming the norm for busy professionals who wish to enhance their education and skills. There are many reasons why healthcare professionals are choosing online learning, some of which include the following:

• Learn at your own pace-Combining work, family, and other obligations creates time restraints. E-learning gives you the opportunity of being able to choose when you want to study. Studying when you choose to means that you can go at your own pace: you can take your time and go at a slower pace, or complete the course in a shorter amount of time if desired, as you can skip over topics with which you are already familiar. Students can access training instantly-at the office, at home, on the road, and at virtually any time of the day or night. This is not possible with traditional education settings.
• Reduced costs-To study online, the only requirements are that you have access to a computer. Saving on gas to commute, books that must be purchased, childcare, and other expenses associated with attending a traditional school makes e-learning a more affordable option. The reduced costs associated with online education will also appeal to employers who are seeking a cost-effective way to encourage continuing education among their staff. E-learning delivers more training to more people for the fewest dollars.
• Variety in teaching methods-Courses delivered online generally use many different presentation methods to appeal to different types of learners i.e. visual, audio, and graphic components. Students can pick and choose among different delivery methods to enhance their learning style.
• Up-to-date materials-Online learning material is constantly updated to provide the latest proven and timely information available. This is important in health care especially, as knowledge changes frequently. Courses online offer a convenient way to stay current with evidence-based practice.
• Progress measurement-E-learning has the added benefit of providing instant feedback. Students can use online tools to assess their knowledge and areas for improvement. Areas that need improvement can be redone as many times as needed, until you or your employee are confident that a solid grasp of the material has been achieved.

Instant access to information is one of the driving forces in today’s world. The key to success is instant access to information. E-learning provides you this instant access, and ensures that virtually anyone can “learn a new trick”.

Our online wound care certification programs offer all the benefits listed above. Taking the course will set you on your way to achieving wound care certification, and can be accomplished in the comfort of your own home or office at an affordable price. Contact us today at www.woundeducators.com to start your journey to a brighter and more exciting future as a wound care specialist-you won’t regret it!

 

The rapid rise in recognition of wound care as a specialty over the past several years has led to a proliferation of membership organizations and certification programs. This has led to much confusion over which programs are recognized, and has also caused the potential for risk to regulating bodies and the public in general. For those healthcare professionals seeking to achieve wound care certification, the question then becomes: How do I choose a legitimate and respected certification program? The following article will help to address this question by outlining the difference between certification and accreditation.

What is Certification?

Upon completion of a certification program, you prove to yourself and others that you have met a specific set of criteria. You may be required to complete an examination to prove your mastery of a certain body of knowledge, or you may be required to have completed a certain number of hours of advanced specialty practice. Certification is an indication that you are proficient in a specialized field. Certification is used to differentiate among members of a profession and is based on legal and psychometric measurements.
There are few, if any, legal restrictions on certifying bodies at either the state or federal levels. This essentially means that almost any organization can claim to be a certifying association.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the means by which you can be assured that credentials have some validity. Accreditation is earned by a certification or educational program only after there has been an extensive review by an independent accrediting body. To become accredited, certification programs must meet specific and stringent requirements. Because certifying programs can vary so widely, they seek accreditation as a means of providing assurance of their value and worth.

The NOCA (National Organization for Competency Assurance) is a national membership organization for certifying bodies. The NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) is the agency that sets the standards for credentialing organizations. Currently, the NCCA recognizes two wound care programs through accreditation:

• The CWS (Certified Wound Specialist) program is accredited under the AAWM (American Academy of Wound Management). Accreditation of the CWCA (Certified Wound Care Associate) certification program is pending, and will likely be approved because the same testing policies and procedures were used to attain accreditation for the CWS certification. This is the only multidisciplinary certification organization that has achieved accreditation.
  
• The CWCN (Certified Wound Care Nurse) certification is accredited under the WOCNB (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board). However, this program is available only to nurses.

Choosing a Wound Care Certfication Program

I recently came across a New York-based company advertising “Certification In Just One Week”. When I inquired as to what certification one would obtain following the course, my calls and emails were not returned.

When choosing a certification program, you should exercise caution. Although all seminar and educational programs can offer valuable information regarding wound management, when it comes to certification, choosing an accredited program will ensure that the certification you achieve will stand the test of time.

Taking the WoundEducators.com wound care certification course will prepare you to achieve your career goal of obtaining a valuable wound care credential. Take the first step towards a more rewarding and enriching career-contact us today.

Wound care has become a greater issue in the past several years, as more patients are living longer with conditions that predispose to wound formation. The government has become involved in this area by identifying pressure ulcers as a preventable condition, spurring on the growth of healthcare professionals as specialists in wound care. As a result, several wound care certification programs have come into being. The sheer number of certification programs available makes it difficult for you, the healthcare professional, to make a decision regarding which certification program to pursue. The acronyms alone may be overwhelming! In the following article, we will examine various certification programs and their characteristics. 

Certified Wound Specialist (CWS)

To become a certified wound specialist, you must meet the following criteria:

• you must have a Bachelor’s degree

• you must hold a current license as an MD, DO, DPM, PA, DMD, VDM, RN, PT, or OT

• you must be able to provide documentation of three (3) years of clinical experience in wound care, including direct patient care

The CWS exam requires self-preparation. Exams are held every April and October at selected testing centers nationwide. You must maintain a minimum of six (6) contact hours of continuing education in wound management to be eligible for re-certification, and must be re-certified by exam every 10 years. 

Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA) 

To become a certified wound care associate, you must meet the following criteria:

• you do not have to have a Bachelor’s degree

• you must have 3 years of clinical wound care-related experience, including direct patient care

The CWCA exam is given electronically twice a year (August and February) at selected testing centers nationwide. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Successful candidates are required to re-register annually, and must have 6 hours of continuing education in wound care yearly. Certification is valid for 10 years, and re-certification by self-assessment examination is required. 

 

The American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM) is the certifying board for healthcare professionals who become a CWS or CWCA. The AAWM is multidisciplinary, and operates independently of any membership or education association. 

Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)

To become a certified wound care nurse, you must be currently licensed as an RN and hold a baccalaureate degree. Additionally, you must meet one of the following requirements:

• you must complete a WOC (wound, ostomy, and continence) nursing education program accredited by the WOCN

• you must complete a graduate-level program in nursing with documentation of graduate clinical course work equivalent to two semester hours OR

• you must have 50 contact hours (CEU) over the last five years in wound care and 1500 clinical experience hours over the past five years (at least 375 of those hours must be completed within the year prior to certification application.

The certification exam is offered four times a year at testing centers across the US and Canada. Credentials are awarded for a five-year period. After five years you may re-certify by exam or through the Professional Growth Program, which involves submitting a portfolio outlining your continuing education, teaching, academic education, or other proof of specialization. 

The WOCNCB (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing certification Board is the only organization that provides wound care certification strictly to nurses. 

Wound Care Certified (WCC)

Applicants for the NAWC WCC Certification Examination must meet all of the following criteria:

1.   Active unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physician or Physician’s Assistant.

2.    Must meet one of the following:

A. Education Option
1.  Successful graduate of NAWC approved “Wound Management Certification Training Course”. 

2.  Documentation of active involvement in the care of wound care patients, or in management, education or research directly related to wound care while actively licensed for at least two (2) years full-time/four (4) years part-time within the past five (5) years.

B. Certification Option
1.  Current active certification with Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) as a “CWCN”, “CWON”, “CWOCN” or Current active certification with American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM) as a “CWS”.

2.  Documentation of active involvement in the care of wound care patients, or in management, education or research directly related to wound care while actively licensed for at least two (2) years full-time/four (4) years part-time within the past five (5) years.

C. Experiential Option
1.  Documentation of active involvement in the care of wound care patients, or in management, education or research directly related to wound care while actively licensed for at least four (4) years full-time within the past five(5) years.

2.  Completion of sixty (60) contact hours in skin and wound care within the past five (5) years. To receive credit for the contact hours, the educational program must be approved/accredited by either the state board governing your primary license (or any state board governing the professional license type under which you practice), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Physical Therapy Association, (APTA), National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC®), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).

D. Preceptor Option
1.  Successful graduate of NAWC® approved “Wound Management Certification Training Course”.

2.  Complete a minimum of 120 hours of hands on clinical training with an NAWC® approved clinical preceptor after completion of “Wound Management Certification Training Course”.

3.    Completion of application and required supporting documentation.
The WoundEducators.com “Basic Wound Management Certification Course” which provides 50 CE hours,will help to prepare you for the WCC certification via the experiential pathway.

4.    Payment of required fees.

5.    Receive passing score on the NAWC WCC Examination.

  physician-only wound certifications

**Two new physician-only wound certifications are now available.  For more information on these certifications, and for additional information on the above certifications, see our interactive certification chart.

Certification is not the same as accreditation! 

Certification infers that you have met certain criteria that demonstrates an advanced level of specialty in a field. Certification sets you apart from others in your field who are not certified. There are a growing number of credentialing associations which creates much confusion, as many people equate certification with accreditation.

 

When choosing a wound care certification program, it is important to ensure that certification is also accredited. Because virtually anyone can create a course and offer certification in the legal sense, more “certifications” are likely to appear in the coming years.

 

So how do you decide which certification to choose? The next article in our series will explore accreditation and the measurement of the quality of certifications. We want to help you choose the certification that will set you on the path to a more exciting and enriching career.

 

Register for our comprehensive wound management course that will prepare you to achieve the career-changing and esteemed wound care certification credential.

The incidence of nonhealing wounds is on the rise, owing to longer survival rates for patients with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. This situation has led to the need for specialists in wound management. To meet this growing need, several organizations have emerged that provide certification in wound care to nurses, physicians, physical therapists, and other specialty groups. There are many advantages to certification for healthcare professionals, administrators, and consumers alike.

Advantages for the Practitioner

As a certified wound care specialist, providers demonstrate to themselves and others their interest and knowledge in a specialized area of patient care. Professionals who have achieved such specialization report a sense of personal satisfaction, pride, and confidence in their ability to manage complicated wounds. In addition, professionals also earn the respect of their employers, colleagues and patients.

Becoming wound care certified may also provide the professional with some degree of legal protection, reducing the risk of litigation in an environment where nonhealing wounds can lead to serious disability and pain for the patient.

A specialist who is wound care certified may also enjoy certain advantages in the workplace, such as the opportunity for advancement and an increased earning potential. Employers will often recognize the fact that certification requires strict and rigorous continuing education and practice requirements. Above all, becoming wound care certified will bring greater job satisfaction.

Advantages for the Administrator

In this day and age of competition and increased consumer awareness, supporting healthcare professionals to achieve wound care certification offers several advantages.

Many employers in home health care agencies, hospitals, and wound care centers are now requiring their practitioners to achieve wound care certification. Ensuring that employees become certified brings a competitive advantage.

Patient outcomes can be improved by using certified wound care specialists, as these professionals are able to recognize symptoms and complications before they arise, which can improve legal liability issues, leading to fewer malpractice claims.

Investing in wound care certification can improve staff retention, as committing to hiring certified wound care specialists can make a healthcare organization unique from competitors. Supporting professionals to become wound care certified shows that they are valued as professionals and leads to increased job satisfaction and staff retention.
Most importantly, consumers will receive the highest quality care from professionals who are the most knowledgeable in wound management.

Advantages for the Consumer

Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable in regards to their own care, and are also more cognizant that they have choices in healthcare. Certified wound care specialists are current on best-practice standards, and are able to provide teaching and management techniques to their clients. Today’s consumers are taking more interest in learning about their own healthcare needs. Certified wound care specialists have completed many hours of classroom and clinical experience and are in a unique position to be able to provide in-depth teaching and expertise to their clients.

The Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”. Taking the Online Wound Management Training course can be the first step in a more rewarding and enriching career, providing the opportunity to achieve wound care certification. Register now and begin your journey!