Did you know that nurses make up the largest healthcare occupation in the US? Nurses are a critical part of patient success and arguably the most important part of the healthcare industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that between 2014 and 2024, employment of LPNs, LVNs, and RNs will grow 16%. The biggest indicator of this job growth is the ever-growing (aging) population.
Create Your Nursing Specialty
One way nurses are setting themselves apart is by proving their commitment to the healthcare field. Obtaining additional certifications, including the wound care certification for nurses, is an excellent way to create distinction.
Creating a specialty, such as wound care management, solidifies advancement of individual nurses worldwide. There are a handful of wound care certifications for nurses available including the Wound Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA), Wound Care Certification (WCC), Certified Wound Care Nurse Certification (CWCN), and the Certified Wound Specialist (CWS).
Although there are four paths to wound care certification for nurses we will discuss, not every nurse can pursue each.
Wound Care Certification for Nurses – Who Can Get What?
While the clinical requirements to obtain each wound care certification for nurses varies, one constant is maintaining an active, unrestricted license.
Associate-degree nurses, RNs, LPNs, LVNs can all obtain the CWCA certification, however, there are better wound care certification choices for BSNs and RNs. We encourage RNs to obtain the CWS® Certified Wound Specialist Certification. BSNs can obtain the CWS® or the CWCN® certification since it dictates a higher level of education and is available only for nurses who have a Bachelors degree or higher.
All licensed nurses can also obtain the WCC® certification, which was recently re-accredited in 2019. The WCC provides the same certification test for all nurses regardless of educational level and degree. Other accredited wound care certifications include the CWCA®, CWS®, CWSP®, CWCN®, and WCC®. Accredited wound care certifications show more prestige in the healthcare industry; they are more regulated by default.
Any healthcare professional with a Bachelor’s degree or higher can obtain the CWS certification- including DO, DPM, DVM, MD, NP, PA, PT, RD, or RNs.
To obtain the CWCN certification, one must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and be currently licensed as an RN. This requires you to have already passed the NCLEX exam and have an active RN license.
Trust the Wound Care Experts
We surveyed an elite panel of wound care specialists to share the fundamental knowledge needed to pass national board certification exams. We used this information as the basis for creating each of our wound care certification courses.
Wound Care Courses for Nurses
We have created three distinct wound care certification courses for nurses– because we recognize not all nurses are the same! Our courses address the variances in knowledge and create a relatable path for wound education for each nurse.
LPN / LVN Wound Care Certification Course
Any LPN or LVN that completes our wound care certification course will receive 50 CE hours. Our wound courses cover wound basics, past studies, current products, and an overview of many wound care topics and fundamentals necessary for success in wound management. LPNs and LVNs can become certified via the CWCA® or WCC® exam. We recommend LPNs and LVNs pursue the CWCA® Certified Wound. Care Associate certification since it is an accredited certification. The CWCA® certification lasts for ten years.
RN Wound Care Certification Course
Our wound care certification course for RNs will provide 50 CE credit hours to RNs upon completion. Our RN course allows RNs to work at their own pace with 24/7 access. We recommend associate-level RNs pursue the accredited CWS® Certified Wound Specialist certification. Our wound care certification course for RNs will also prepare nurses for the WCC® certification, but this certification only lasts 5 years. The CWS® certification lasts for ten years and is the most prestigious accredited certification option available for diploma and associate level RNs.
BSN and Nurse Practitioner Wound Care Certification Courses
Any nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or any nurse practitioner will receive 57 hours for completing the BSN wound care certification course or the NP wound care certification course. This course builds upon existing advanced education and will provide invaluable wound care knowledge to integrate into practice. As we discussed earlier, we recommend BSNs and Nurse Practitioners pursue either the CWCN® certification or the CWS® certification. The CWS® Certified Wound Specialist certification provides a stronger differentiation since it is only offered to those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The CWS® certification is valid for ten years, the CWCN® is valid for 5. These two are the only accredited certification options available for BSNs or NPs.
Other Wound Care Courses Available
One common misconception is that Physician Assistants are nurses. Some nurses may go on to become Physician Assistants, but having a nursing degree or prior title is not required. We offer a separate physician assistant wound care certification course.
CNAs are also not nurses – CNAs must work under the direct supervision of an RN or LPN. WoundEducators.com does offer a separate course for CNAs and MAs. We recommend CNAs and MAs pursue the accredited CWCA® wound care certification or the WCC® certification.
Your Source for Wound Care Nurse Advancement
Consider us the expert on wound care certification for nurses and beyond. We ensure that each one of our courses speaks to the right audience to maximize learning. We take prior education and knowledge into consideration when creating our wound care certification courses and use that existing knowledge to build upon. Training and specialization distinguish one nurse from another- and we would love to help you set yourself apart!
My name is Bernard Abazie. I took this course as a LVN about 4 years ago but did not take the certification/board exams due to pressing financial problems. What can I do get certified?
Hi Bernard, You can certainly take the exam now, however, I highly recommend that you retake the course to review the material before sitting for the exam. We are happy to offer a substantial discount since you are a prior student. Please contact us at 800-637-5526 to discuss.
I am rathish from Toronto canada and i am worKing as a full time RN. Am i allowed to take this course ? and wounder if it valid in canada?
Rathish,
Yes! You can take the course and become certified in Canada.
To find out more, read our article on becoming certified in Canada:https://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-in-canada/
Link to our RN course: https://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-courses/rn/
Hi, Are nurses from the Caribbean allowed to-do this wound care the wound care course. Rn at certificate level and certified mid-wife.
Hi Averene,
Thank you for your interest in WoundEducators.com
You can certainly take our courses from the Caribean. We have many international students take our course and achieve wound care certification You will have 6-month access to the online course. Shipment of your training kit is included in the price of the course.
Attached is a list of test center locations where you can sit for the wound certification exam.
If you are leaning toward a course that will eliminate the need for travel and work absences, then the WoundEducators.com online course is perfect for you. It will also allow you to proceed at your own pace with a high level of learning and retention.
There are no eligibility requirements to take our course. To sit for the certification exam, you will need to show three years of clinical experience. The ABWM defines three years of clinical experience as follows:
“Three years of wound care experience can be acquired over the course of your career. It does not necessarily have to be a consecutive three years. Wound care does not have to be your primary responsibility during that time, as long as you can demonstrate you have had roles related to wound care throughout your career.”
If you do not have the required clinical experience at this time, please contact us so that we can provide you with alternative options.
The following presentation provides a brief overview of our program: http://woundeducators.com/course-preview/.
For more information and to register, please visit:
http://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-courses/.
The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) administers the wound care certification examination. The ABWM is a national inter-disciplinary certifying board for healthcare professionals involved in wound care. For detailed information about the ABWM exam eligibility requirements and to download the exam handbook and application, please visit: https://woundeducators.com/wound-certification/abwm/
It is important to note that not all wound care certifications are accredited. We, therefore, recommend reading the following article: The Importance of Formal Accredited Certification in Wound Care: http://woundeducators.com/accredited-wound-certification/.
Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
I’m interested in wound care too. I read in another thread that working in LTC will give you tons of experience and enough opportunity to become certified, though I don’t know the actual hours required. I would imagine there is a lot of wound care in home health too, since pressure ulcers can end up requiring long term chronic care.
I’ll go see if I can find out the hours required to sit for exams.
Kinley,
To sit for the certification exam, you will need to show three years of clinical experience. The ABWM defines three years of clinical experience as follows:
“Three years of wound care experience can be acquired over the course of your career. It does not necessarily have to be a consecutive three years. Wound care does not have to be your primary responsibility during that time, as long as you can demonstrate you have had roles related to wound care throughout your career.”
If you do not have the required clinical experience at this time, please contact us so that we can provide you with alternative options.
Hi Kinley,
Thank you for your interest in WoundEducators.com.
There are no eligibility requirements to take our course. To sit for the certification exam, you will need to show three years of clinical experience. The ABWM defines three years of clinical experience as follows:
“Three years of wound care experience can be acquired over the course of your career. It does not necessarily have to be a consecutive three years. Wound care does not have to be your primary responsibility during that time, as long as you can demonstrate you have had roles related to wound care throughout your career.”
If you do not have the required clinical experience at this time, please contact us so that we can provide you with alternative options.
The following presentation provides a brief overview of our program: http://woundeducators.com/course-preview/.
For more information and to register, please visit:
http://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-courses/.
The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) administers the wound care certification examination. The ABWM is a national inter-disciplinary certifying board for healthcare professionals involved in wound care. For detailed information about the ABWM exam eligibility requirements please visit https://woundeducators.com/wound-certification/abwm/.
It is important to note that not all wound care certifications are accredited. We, therefore, recommend reading the following article: The Importance of Formal Accredited Certification in Wound Care: http://woundeducators.com/accredited-wound-certification/.
I am a RN and I wanted to know if your course will prepare me for the CWCN exam?
Regina, Yes! We recommend: https://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-courses/rn/ you will have 6-month unlimited course access and an Until You Pass Guarantee, which will allow you to access completed course materials to study for the exam. You will still have to make sure you meet all the other requirements to take the exam, including necessary hours and proof of active license. Contact us at support@woundeducators.com if you need more assistance. Best of luck!
Hi I’ve been doing wound rounds with our wound care doctor for 6 years. I’ve been doing wound cafe for 6 years I have a bachelor’s degree can I take wound care exam immediately or do I have to take a class.
Kristina,
The good news is you should have sufficient wound care clinical experience to be able to become certified fairly quickly. Which specific wound care certification were you trying to pursue? Almost all accredited wound care certifications still require you to have the educational portion, whether that be from an online course like WoundEducators.com or through an in-person class.
hi, I have 5 years of wound experience, and I have a bachelors degree. What else is needed to take the exam. I also have 23 wound CE credit
if you wanted to take the CWS exam, you must send proof of your current license and clinical experience to the ABWM. From there, the ABWM will approve you to take the exam. Upon being approved, you have 3 months to take the exam through a PSI testing center.
Submit your completed application in hard copy to:
American Board of Wound Management
1800 M St NW
Suite 400S
Washington, DC 20036
Application can be found here:
http://www.abwmcertified.org/abwm-certified/how-to-apply
Is having a bachelors degree a requirement for CWS? I am an RN with only my AS. Thank you.
Aurora,
The ABWM has expanded its CWS criteria to include Associate RNs. You will still need to meet the experience requirements, but our RN course can prepare you for certification. RN Wound Care Certification Course
Becoming a CWS Certified Wound Care Specialist
To get the CWS, does my degree have to be in nursing? I’m an LPN with a Bachelors in Biology, and would like to take the course.
Diana, As an LPN you should take the LPN course and pursue either the CWCA offered by the ABWM or the WCC offered by NAWCO. Both are now accredited and our LPN course will prepare her for both. (You will still need to submit your application for certification and meet all other experience requirements.)
Link to our LPN course – LPN – LVN Wound Care Certification
Hi! Im a Home Health Rn and I graduated BSN in the Philippines. I have been doing home health since 2010 and i have been doing wound care for my patients. What course should i take? or can i take the exam directly?
Joy, you can take our BSN wound care course – https://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-courses/bsn-np/ to prepare you for the certification of your choice, including the CWS, WCC, or CWCN. I would start by seeing which testing centers are available in your area – http://online.goamp.com/CandidateHome/displayTCList.aspx?pExamID=21400
Hi –
I am an ASN -RN with a BS in psychology. Got a BS THEN realized I wanted to go back to school for nursing and earned my degree at the local community college.
I have been an RN now for 15 years.
I worked as a wound RN in a wound center for 3 years (2014-2017) then went into HH nursing (2016-present).
I am trying to figure out if I am only eligible for a CWS or if I am eligible for WCC or CWCN?
I am not currently working under a preceptor.
Can you please provide the link to the appropriate prep course when you respond.
Thank you – Britt
I have a question, if one of you can help me I appreciate. I’m a Brazilian wound care nurse. Do you know if I can get a wound care certificate in the USA with my bachelor degree from Brazil? Thank you!
Rachel,
You can view all the certification requirements for each wound care certification here: https://woundeducators.com/compare-wound-care-certifications/
This includes the WCC, AWCC, CWCN, CWS, CWSP, and CWCA wound care certifications. Once you narrow down your choice, you can search for testing centers in your area and check and see if you meet all the requirements for testing.