The True Value of Wound Care Certification

As wound management comes out of the shadows of other therapy areas and begins to find its true place at the heart of medical practice, so the reputation associated with a higher qualification in wound care rises.

Increasing numbers of wound care specialists across all levels of qualification are pursuing further education in wound care and achieving wound care certification. Individuals may choose this route for a variety of reasons, but evidence is mounting that any healthcare professional who achieves wound care certification will be able to enjoy a number of tangible benefits.

For example, the 2006 American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) Value of Specialty Nursing Certification Study conducted in more than 11,000 nurses reported enhanced professional credibility and evidence of professional commitment as two of the perceived values of certification, as well as feelings of personal accomplishment and satisfaction.

Several studies have shown that wound care certification can also enhance your career prospects, with board-certified nurses being in high demand and taking an average of $9,000 per annum more than their non-board-certified colleagues (ANCC). Reflecting this trend, some healthcare organizations are now offering financial incentives and professional development programs to attract and retain certified professionals.

Other surveys conducted through the ANCC and other professional groups have shown that certification helps wound care professionals to feel better accepted and recognized by physicians and peers.

As well as promoting the healthcare professional’s own career development, wound care certification also has a positive impact on patients. Being treated by a board-certified professional offers reassurance to patients and families, providing them with greater confidence that they are being treated by a specialist in the area.  It also demonstrates a true commitment to wound management on the part of the specialist and promotes higher standards of care.

A number of studies have shown the benefit of wound care certification in terms of patient outcomes. For example, a retrospective analysis from 652 hospitals showed that inpatient 30-day mortality decreased by 2% when the number of certified baccalaureate nurses increased by 10%, while the ABNS reported that hiring certified nurses impacted on patient care and safety in a positive way. A further retrospective analysis showed that 79% of wounds healed when treated by a wound-care certified nurse compared with just 36% of wounds treated by non-certified nurses. Healthcare professionals with a wound care certification have also been shown to have greater confidence in detecting symptoms and in introducing prompt and appropriate intervention.

It may seem intuitive that achieving a higher qualification through wound care certification would bring certain benefits in terms of both professional career progression and patient outcomes. However, a growing body of data is now available to demonstrate that this is not only intuitive but actually upheld in practice. It has been shown that wound care certified professionals tend to have greater job satisfaction, attract higher salaries, command the respect of peers and patients, and deliver improved patient outcomes. With wound care certification, there really are no downsides.

Learn more with our wound care education options

Interested in learning more about wound care and certification? Browse through our wound care certification courses for information on our comprehensive range of education options to suit healthcare professionals across the full spectrum of qualifications and experience.