Are you a registered nurse looking to specialize and elevate your career? Becoming a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nurse offers a rewarding path with high demand and significant professional prestige. Cleveland Clinic’s R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Nursing Education Program, the world’s first of its kind, provides comprehensive training to equip you with the expertise needed to excel in this specialized field. This program prepares nurses to play a crucial role in the care of patients with ostomies, wounds, incontinence, and various skin conditions across diverse healthcare settings.
Why Choose Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing?
Wound, Ostomy & Continence (WOC) nursing is a specialized area within nursing focused on the care of individuals with complex needs related to abdominal stomas, wounds including pressure injuries, incontinence, and other skin disorders. WOC nurses are highly sought after in numerous medical specialties, including colorectal surgery, urology, pediatrics, oncology, and rehabilitation. Their specialized knowledge makes them invaluable assets not only in hospitals but also in outpatient clinics, home healthcare, long-term care facilities, private practices, research institutions, and nursing education programs.
The need for WOC nurses is substantial and continually growing. In North America alone, nearly a million individuals live with ostomies, and approximately 70,000 new ostomy surgeries are performed annually. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by patients with ostomies, fistulas, pressure injuries, and incontinence, Cleveland Clinic pioneered the Enterostomal Therapy (ET) Program, which has evolved into the renowned Wound, Ostomy Continence (WOC) Nursing Education Program.
Benefits of Becoming a WOC Nurse
Choosing to specialize in WOC nursing offers numerous advantages for your career and personal fulfillment:
- High Demand and Career Opportunities: WOC nurses are in demand across the healthcare spectrum, both nationally and internationally. Opportunities exist in hospitals, home care agencies, extended care facilities, outpatient centers, private practices, industry, research, and educational institutions.
- Increased Earning Potential: Specialized nursing roles, such as WOC nursing, often come with higher salary expectations, reflecting the advanced skills and expertise required.
- Professional Recognition and Prestige: Becoming a Registered Nurse WOC (RN WOC) signifies a high level of expertise and commitment to patient care, enhancing your professional standing.
- Certification Eligibility: Graduates of accredited WOC nurse education programs are eligible to sit for the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) exams, further validating their specialized knowledge.
- Continuing Education: WOC nursing education programs provide continuing nursing education contact hours, which can be applied towards state licensing requirements and professional development.
- Personal Satisfaction: WOC nurses experience profound personal satisfaction from providing comprehensive, individualized care that significantly improves the quality of life for individuals with complex WOC needs.
Cleveland Clinic’s R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD WOC Nursing Education Program: A Legacy of Excellence
Established over six decades ago, Cleveland Clinic’s WOC Nursing Education Program holds the distinction of being the first WOC nursing program globally. Founded by Rupert B. Turnbull, Jr., MD, a pioneer in colorectal surgery, and Norma Gill, the world’s first enterostomal therapist, the program has a rich history of innovation and leadership in WOC nursing education.
In 1958, Dr. Turnbull recognized Norma Gill’s exceptional skills in assisting ostomy patients and established the first formal enterostomal therapy training program. This groundbreaking initiative laid the foundation for the WOC nursing specialty as we know it today. The program was later named the R.B. Turnbull Jr., MD Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Education Program in honor of its visionary founder.
The impact of Cleveland Clinic’s program extends far beyond its own graduates. In 1968, at Dr. Turnbull’s suggestion, program alumni formed the North American Association of Enterostomal Therapists, now known as the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN). This organization, born from the Cleveland Clinic program, continues to be the leading professional society for WOC nurses worldwide.
Over 2,000 nurses have graduated from Cleveland Clinic’s WOC Nursing Education Program and are practicing across the globe. The program’s enduring reputation is built upon its well-established curriculum, experienced faculty, and commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive WOC nursing education.
Educational Programs: Shaping WOC Nurse Specialists
Cleveland Clinic’s WOC Nursing Education Program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop proficient and compassionate WOC nurse specialists.
What Sets This Program Apart?
- Pioneering Program: Learn from the institution that established the first WOC nursing program in the world, benefiting from a legacy of over 64 years of expertise and innovation. Cleveland Clinic and Norma Gill Thompson pioneered the field of enterostomal therapy, now known as WOC nursing.
- Extensive Clinical Experience: Cleveland Clinic’s vast patient population provides unparalleled clinical exposure to a wide range of medical conditions and treatments. Students gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced WOC nurses, caring for patients with intestinal and urinary stomas, incontinence, pressure injuries, fistulas, and other skin conditions.
- Accreditation and Recognition: The program is accredited by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), ensuring adherence to the highest standards of WOC nursing education. Cleveland Clinic is also jointly accredited by leading healthcare education accrediting bodies, further validating the program’s quality. The program is also recognized by The World Council of Enterostomal Therapists.
- Expert Faculty: All faculty members are board-certified WOC nurses with extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and research. The program is led by Kelly Jaszarowski MSN, RN, CNS, ANP, CWOCN, a Program Director with over 30 years of WOC nursing experience, and Patricia Slachta, PhD, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN, serving as Assistant Program Director with over 35 years of experience. Clinical instruction is also provided by experienced WOC nurses like Mike Klements, RN, MSN, CWOCN.
Online Curriculum: Flexible and Interactive Learning
The online WOC Nursing Education Program combines the flexibility of online learning with a highly interactive virtual classroom environment, all while adhering to the WOCN® accredited curriculum. This format allows students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to provide evidence-based clinical care, psychological support, discharge planning, rehabilitative counseling, and follow-up care to patients.
The online curriculum includes modules covering:
- Professional Practice Concepts in WOC Nursing
- Acute & Chronic Wound Management
- Fecal and Urinary Diversions (Ostomy Care)
- Urinary & Fecal Incontinence Management
- Practicum (Clinical) Course
Graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB), a crucial step in becoming a certified WOC nurse. The online didactic portion is followed by a clinical practicum, completed under the guidance of an approved preceptor. The duration of the practicum varies based on the chosen specialty courses, with a minimum of 40 hours required per specialty.
Advantages of Online WOC Nursing Education:
- Convenience and Flexibility: Study from anywhere, eliminating the need for relocation and allowing you to balance your education with existing commitments.
- Cost-Effective: Reduce expenses associated with travel, housing, and on-campus meals (unless choosing to complete clinicals on-site in Cleveland, Ohio).
- Interactive Learning Environment: Engage with classmates and faculty through various online communication channels, fostering a collaborative learning experience.
- Clinical Practicum Component: Gain practical experience through a clinical practicum, ensuring you are well-prepared for real-world WOC nursing practice.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Develop the skills to manage pre- and post-operative ostomy care, prevent and treat pressure injuries, manage fistulas and other skin disorders, and specialize in urinary and fecal incontinence care.
- Patient-Centered Care Focus: Learn to provide evidence-based clinical care, psychological support, discharge planning, and rehabilitative counseling, ensuring holistic patient care.
Prerequisites and Admissions
To be eligible for the Wound Care Nurse Education Program at Cleveland Clinic, applicants must:
- Be a registered nurse.
- Hold a minimum of a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree or a baccalaureate degree in another field with demonstrated baccalaureate-level nursing competencies.
- Have at least one full year of RN clinical experience with current nursing clinical experience within the past five years.
- Be a legal U.S. resident.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships for Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Education may be available through the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®). Prospective students are encouraged to explore these opportunities to help fund their education.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career
If you are passionate about providing specialized care and making a significant difference in patients’ lives, a career in WOC nursing is an excellent choice. Cleveland Clinic’s R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD WOC Nursing Education Program offers a premier educational experience, preparing you for a rewarding and in-demand career.
For admissions and inquiry contact information:
R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD WOC Nursing Education Program
Cleveland Clinic
Teresa Warnke
WOC Admissions & Business Office Coordinator II
Mobile Phone: 216.317.7163
Fax: 216.445.6343
Email: [email protected]
Ready to apply? Download the WOC Admissions Application Guide and take the first step towards becoming a specialized wound care nurse.
