Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certificate Program
Responding to the increase need for wound, ostomy and continence care needs of the community, La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences is proud to announce the return of the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program beginning in the Fall 2020 semester.
Mission:
The WOC Program also aligns with the Lasallian core value of service. Clients with wound, ostomy, and continence needs are often isolated, marginalized, and vulnerable. Preparing students to provide excellent, caring and compassionate wound, ostomy, and continence care embodies the Lasallian vision of preparing graduates who improve the lives of those they serve.
Program Description:
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Program prepares nurses to provide acute and rehabilitative care for people with disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems. Wound, Ostomy, and Continence nurses provide direct and consultative care for persons with abdominal stomas, wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcers, and incontinence problems. Upon successful completion of the La Salle’s WOC Nursing Program registered nurses with a baccalaureate nursing degrees are eligible to take the WOCN National Certification examination.
Program Goals:
- To prepare students to become specialists in providing care for patients/clients with wound, ostomy and continence needs.
- To facilitate students’ professional development by preparing them for certification in wound, ostomy and continence nursing
- To foster interprofessional, collaborative practice in the caring for patients with wound, ostomy and continence needs.
Admission Criteria:
- Evidence of successful academic achievement in completing a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited program or the MSN Bridge program for those R.N.s with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.
- Grade point average of 3.0 in baccalaureate nursing program
- Current RN licensure in Pennsylvania
- One year clinical experience following RN licensure. Current clinical experience within 5 years prior to application to program (current, active practice, completion of a nurse refresher course, or a clinical performance examination)
- Resume
- Provide two professional reference contact information from professors or supervisors.
- A statement of interest in the WOCN program
Upon graduation, students will become eligible to take the WOCN National Certification Examination. New graduates will become valuable health care providers and interdisciplinary team members as well as helping to meet the unique needs of the population.
The program has been revised to meet the learning needs of today’s adult learner. The curriculum aligns with WOCN standards. The program is delivered in an accelerated, 7-week online format. The restructure of the program allows students to take one, two or all three specialties.
Course Sequence
Course Number
Credits
Semester
NUR 720 – Professional WOC Practice Model – the role of the WOC Nurse (required for all specialties)
1 credit
Fall 1 – 2020
7 weeks
NUR 721 – Wound and Skin Care Specialty Course
3 Credits
Fall 2 – 2020
7 weeks
NUR 722 – Wound and Skin Care Specialty Practicum (50 hrs.)
1 credit
*
NUR 723 – Ostomy Care Specialty Course
3 Credits
Spring 1 -2021
7 weeks
NUR 724 – Ostomy Care Specialty Practicum (50 hrs.)
1 credit
*
NUR 725 – Urinary and Fecal Continence Care Specialty Course
3 Credits
Spring 2 – 2021
NUR 726 – Urinary and Fecal Continence Care Specialty Practicum (50 hrs.)
1 credit
*
*Clinical practicum begin upon completion of the specialty course. When doing more than one specialty, clinical practicums start after at the completion of all specialty courses.
