IN THIS ISSUE:    President's Message  |  What's New  |  Got Mail?  |  Helping Hands  |  Resources

President's Message

"When a WOCNCB^® certified nurse walks in the room, good things happen."

I was told this by a very wise colleague several years ago, and it has seared into my conscience ever since.  The academic rigor, discipline and reliance on evidenced based practice (vs. anecdotal teachings) as well as the integrated clinical hours needed to be eligible and successfully pass certification are well recognized.  These criteria set the highest standard for the WOC nursing specialty.  As specialty nurses certified through the WOCNCB^®, we have a distinctive skill set tailored to meet our unique patients', community and institutional needs.

Whether that clinical scenario involves wounds (or their prevention), new fecal or urinary diversions (or both), the challenges of maintaining continence and skin integrity as well as promoting foot health, each specialty certification advances patient safety.  Our certified specialty practice merges the art and science of healing, patient and staff education and a commitment to serving that embodies the nursing profession.

As nursing professionals, we have a role obligation to contemplate our work-related activities.  Many of us can harken back to a time when we were challenged with a complex clinical case where we may have felt overwhelmed.  Some of us may have even looked over our shoulders and wondered if they hired the right person.  But, relying on our training, our clinical references and discussing with our fellow cohorts, we followed the principles we were taught.  And, more often than not, I would bet improved outcomes prevailed!

When presented with challenges, we have to move beyond our comfort zone to reach an attitude and commitment of professional can-do.  And, this is what makes good things happen when a WOCNCB^® certified nurse enters a room.

In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th US President, approaching challenges can be seen in the quote below.  It refers to the Wild West times of the late 19th century when he was raising cattle in the Dakota Territory, prior to him becoming president.

"There were all kinds of things I was afraid of at first, ranging from grizzly bears to 'mean' horses and gun-fighters; but by acting as if I was not afraid I gradually ceased to be afraid."

Cathy L. Reimanis, DNP, MS, CNS, ANP-BC, CWOCN
President

What's New?

2016 EMPLOYER RECOGNITION AWARD  

Congratulations Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS)

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is the recepient of the 2016 Employer Recognition Award winner! This award is given annually to honor an organization that has demonstrated exemplary support of the certification process in WOC nursing. Chosen from 12 candidates, ARHS, located in Boone, North Carolina, displays encouragement of advancement to all nurses within the organization seeking national specialty certification. The award was presented in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the Palais des congres de Montreal Convention Center as part of the 2016 WOCN® Society & CAET Joint Conference. Click here to learn more about the award and winners. 

 2016 WOCN SOCIETY & CAET JOINT CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Congratulations to these WOCNCB Certified for hitting the 30-Year Continuous Certification Mark in 2016!

Mona M. Baharestani
Mollie L. Hall
Catherine M. Koerner
Sheree L. Lee
Laurel R. Smith
Cynthia A. Yarberry

To view the list of previously WOCNCB 30-year continuous certifications since 2013 click here.

Over 1000 Nurses Successfully Certified and Recertified in 6 Months! 

We are proud that each of these nurses has chosen to certify with the WOCNCB®, The Gold Standard for Certification®. Over 1000 nurses successfully certified or recertified between January 1 and June 30, 2016.  Click here to view all recently certified and recertified certificants.  Congratulations!

NEW! WTA-C - Limited $100 Discount Offer

For a limited time, now until December 31, 2016 current or expired Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) course of completion will be accepted for the WTA-C WOCNCB® Certification eligibility requirement. Starting January 1, 2017 only current WOCN certificates of course completion will be accepted.

Take advantage of a limited $100 exam fee rebate today! Click here for more details.

Listen to Radio MD Interviews by Mary Gloeckner and Lois Fink

Mary Gloeckner MS, RN, CWON, APN discusses post-ostomy continuing care and the range of topics and guidance provided by a specialized CWON nurse. Listen here.

Lois Fink shares her personal story of the care and support she received from nurses after her ostomy surgery.  Listen here.

Read Article by Gaylene Montez:  A Day in a Life of a Wound, Ostomy, Continence and Foot Care Nurse

Got Mail?

Keep Your Email Address Up-to-Date!

WOCNCB® is not the WOCN Society. Update WOCNCB®  with your contact information in one simple step!

Remember your certifications are with WOCNCB®.  Please keep both WOCNCB® and the WOCN Society up-to-date.  Don't risk a certification lapse!  All WOCNCB® official announcements are sent via e-mail only. If you have changed your e-mail address in the last 5 years, please contact the WOCNCB® office at info@wocncb.org. Help us help you and keep your contact information up-to-date to receive recertification reminders!  WOCN Society does not provide WOCNCB® updated contact information.

Helping Hands

The Advanced Practice Committee Needs You!

Has it ever crossed your mind to volunteer on the WOCNCB^® as an Advanced Practice committee member?  As our health care climate continues to change, nurse practitioners, more than ever before, find themselves in a unique and valuable position to lend their voice as a resource and expert by serving on leading professional nursing and health care organizations such as the WOCNCB^® Advanced Practice Committee.

Nurse practitioners with specialties in wound, ostomy, continence and foot care are prepared to make a substantial impact in improving clinical outcomes in these areas, and it is critical to collaborate together as we work to ensure continuity of care, patient safety and quality in our industry.

Take the leap!  Your voice is important and we want to hear it!  We welcome and encourage your interest and participation in serving as a committee member.  Look for a Call for Volunteers broadcast email in early August with details.

Are you going to a WOCN Regional Conference?  Earn PGP Points!

If you plan on attending a regional conference, please consider volunteering and promoting the WOCNCB®.  To make it easy, WOCNCB® will send you a "Showbox" containing promotional material and resources.  As a bonus, you will obtain two PGP points (teaching category) under any specialty!  To request a Showbox contact: info@wocncb.org or call (888) 496-2622.

Call for Volunteers!

You can make a difference.
Committee participation is a great way to support your peers and others who are concerned about best practices and patient safety in the wound, ostomy, continence and foot care specialties.Service on a committee is also a way to earn points for your Professional Growth Program (PGP) portfolio. Click here to learn more and consider volunteering today!

WOCNCB® RESOURCES

Official Flash Card Sets Available

Be better prepared to pass the Wound and Ostomy Exams.  Continence Flashcards are coming!  Stay tuned for announcement later this year with details.

Wound Care Flash Card set order here.

Ostomy Care Flash Card set order here.

Show Off Your Credentials!

Market yourself and show off those hard earned credentials. Find what suits your certifiable style! Visit the WOCNCB® website to view the entire collection. 

PGP Webinar August 3, 2016

The PGP webinar will introduce individuals to the PGP recertification process and the online application.  Space is limited. Email your request to join the August 3rd webinar.

Newly Revised PGP handbook (May, 2016)

Download the newly revised PGP handbook.

NOTE: There are more online resources to guide you through the PGP process. Click on any of these helpful tools to get started:

• PGP Tutorial
• PGP online Access
• PGP Portfolio checklist

If you do not wish to be included in our mailing list, please forward this message to info@wocncb.org.