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Question:
I taught an ostomy certification class for a foreign university. What do I have to submit to get PGP points for this?
Answered October 21, 2024
If the class content was specific to the specialty of wound, ostomy, or continence, you could use the PGP points for "Presentation of Education Program" which is worth 5 points per 30 minutes of presentation time. So, for example, if the course was 8 hours, it would be worth 80 points total. Please see page 14 of the PGP Handbook. You will enter it by going to your specialty portfolio, and clicking on Add New Activity, and then using the drop-down list, then select Presentation as the item.
Question:
Hello,
If I recertified recently: 9/30/24, but am doing the on-line WOCN next conference for 2024, can I add these CEU's to the next certification period since I am still working on it and have until Dec 2024 to complete? I did not add this to my recent recertification. Thank you in advance for clarification.
Answered October 21, 2024
Yes, you may use the points not included in this most recent portfolio. The PGP account will show a "points accrual" date range, however, you can enter these points regardless since the calendar function allows you to enter the correct dates, plus our PGP Review Team can also see the date of your previous PGP approval when looking at the new portfolio.
Question:
Is wound certificate for LPN accepted in the state of Minnesota and does it include
the assessment piece?
Answered October 15, 2024
The WOCNCB certification demonstrates that you have additional knowledge in the specialty. However, regardless of a specialty certification, your state board of nursing governs your scope of practice according to your licensure and varies by state. For example, a certified WTA-C may hold LPN but another may hold RN, etc., and therefore each would practice at different levels and could vary by state. Certification credentials are issued nationally, and are not state-specific -- it is not alike to licensure in that respect. You can also review the document on our website for the "Exam Content Outline" which lists the topics covered on the exam, to get a sense of what the exam-taker is expected to know. This is found on the site under "Certification / Exam Preparation".
Question:
Is there a maximum number of points for precepting? When I plug my hours into my recertification portfolio, the 90 hours of precepting gives me 45 PGP points. May I use all of these points?
Thank you!
Answered October 14, 2024
There is no maximum for precepting points. However, there are point restrictions for the portfolio overall, as well as for the CE. The overall portfolio cannot have more than 90 points total, and the CE category is maxed at 40 points. You will also find this information in the PGP Handbook.
Question:
I am currently at the NEC WOCN 2024 annual conference. They are offering professional practice points titled “Keynote: Transforming HAPI Care Across the nation’s Largest Municipal Public health System”, “The legal, Clinical Risk and Ethical Considerations of Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries”, and “New Product Requests: The WOC Nurse Partners with the Value Analysis Team”. Can these be used under the Professional Practice for PG P points for continence? Thank you!
Answered October 11, 2024
I hope you are enjoying the conference! Since this a WOCN conference, you may use the professional practice CEUs from this conference.
Question:
How would developing and managing an online Ostomy support group be categorized?
Answered October 9, 2024
You may claim points for volunteer work related to developing and managing an online Ostomy support group. See page 13 for additional details.
Question:
"a. Minimum of 10 CE/CNE/CMEs must
directly relate to the specialty. Up to 40 CE
are allowed, per specialty.
b. Minimum of forty (40) of the total
portfolio points must directly relate
to the specialty. The entire portfolio may
relate to the specialty."
I just want to clarify something regarding the above guidelines. When it says there is a minimum amount of points that must directly relate to the specialty, does that mean the other points could be CE's from completely unrelated practice? Like dermatology or family practice CEs?
And the other 40 points of the portfolio that don't need to relate directly to the specialty could be presentations and committee memberships that have nothing to do with wound or ostomy?
Answered October 9, 2024
Each specialty portfolio must contain a MINIMUM of 10 CME credits that are directly related to the wound, ostomy, continence or foot care specialty. The maximum CME credits allowed in each specialty portfolio is 40. These CME credits much be directly related to the specialty, unless they are related to professional practice, and then a a maximum of 10 professional practice CE are allowed. However, professional practice CME are only allowed from SAWC (WHS), WCET, NPIAP, WOCN, SUNA, AANP, ANCC, or AAWC. Be sure you are not claiming general nursing activities versus those that directly impact or enhance the role of the WOC or FC nurse.
Each specialty portfolio must contain at least 80 points. If you are claiming the maximum amount of CME points (40). The remaining points must come from Category 2 (Practice Hours) or Category 3 (teaching Research, Writing/Publication, Volunteer activities, Programs/Projects). The points for Category 3 must related to the specialty portfolio or professional practice, depending on the category. This is explained in more detail in the handbook
I hope this clears up any confusion.
Question:
Hello, I'm a student using Wound Care for my BSN Developmental Plan project. While looking for the requirements for WOC certification renewal (time, number of CE and others) and cannot locate a specific part of Handbook or the page at your web-site. Since WTA-C is not mentioned on the tab "Certification," please define it and explain what it means in "recertification." Thank you.
Answered October 3, 2024
To earn the certification credentials in wound care, we have three different levels of certification exams -- which is the method for earning the certification credentials the first time. The certification credentials remain valid/effective for a 5-year period, at which time a nurse can re-certify their credential. The requirements for being eligible to apply for the certification exams are listed on this website, under "Certification" and then after that are listed by specialty/level. For example, "Certification / Wound Ostomy Continence" is for the RN with a Bachelor's Degree, and on that page when clicking "Eligibility" will list the requirements to apply for those exams to earn credentials the first time. Additionally, there is a wound certification for the LPN (or Associate Degreed RN) as a "Wound Treatment Associate - Certified (WTA-C)" and the eligibility is found listed under "Certification / Wound Treatment Associate - Certified" -- again, click on "Eligibility". After earning credentials, and when seeking to re-certify when due to expire in 5 years, you will find information on how to recertify, listed under "Recertification" and you will look for the credential name or specialty. Each credential can be re-certified by taking the exam again, or for the RN or AP level credentials can be re-certified via portfolio submission. Please contact us directly if you have more questions.
Question:
Can a WOCN RN perform biopsies
Answered October 3, 2024
The WOCNCB certification demonstrates that you have additional knowledge in the specialty. However, regardless of a specialty certification, your state board of nursing governs your scope of practice according to your licensure and varies by state. For example, a certified CWCN may hold RN but another may hold NP, etc., and therefore each would practice at different levels and could vary by state. We suggest contacting your state board of nursing.
Question:
I will be doing the Experiential Pathway and taking courses through Emory. They only offer 40 CE's for Continence. Can I use my Wound Treatment Associate CE's from this past spring to meet the require 50 CE's for continence? I believe the WTA was 35 CE's.
Answered October 2, 2024
The WTA course only pertains specifically to wound care, so would not count for a Continence exam application since the CE must pertain specifically to continence care.
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