President's Message
The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), remains committed to maintaining organizational excellence through critical self-evaluation of our current and future role as the Gold Standard in WOC specialty nursing certification. Recently, the board of directors participated in a 2-day strategic planning session. We critically evaluated who we are as a certifying body in this rapidly evolving health care landscape; we identified current and future issues and trends that impact our specialty practice and certification; and, we identified challenging and attainable goals. It was a tiring and most rewarding experience for us all. At the end of those two days our vision of who we are now and where we chose to go in the next few years became crystal clear. Our goals were focused in three major areas: providing resources to facilitate certification and ongoing professional development in WOC and foot care nursing; fostering relationships that will raise awareness of the value of WOCNCB certification; and committing to maintaining a strong financial and programmatic infrastructure that sustains growth and continuously improves certificant services. Once finalized, our strategic plan will be posted on the WOCNCB website.
Change is always a part of life, and in so many instances it carries a bitter and sweet mix of emotion. In keeping with our commitment to maintain our financial heath, the WOCNCB has made some difficult decisions. One of those decisions was to redefine our staffing needs in relationship to the national office. The sweet part of that decision is Kathy Meyer, Certification Manager. She will still be answering the WOCNCB phone, responding to WOCNCB emails in her usual prompt and responsible manner, and will continue to do all those things that make our organization so efficient and well run. We also decided that a full time Executive Director would better meet the needs of our certificants. Thus, a new Executive Director has recently jumped into the driver's seat of the WOCNCB. We are thrilled to welcome Anniekay Erby to the WOCNCB national office! She brings expertise in the areas of marketing, finance and association management. Make sure you stop by the WOCNCB booth at the WOCN Annual Conference in Charlotte to meet both Anniekay Erby and Kathy Meyer. On the sad side, we said good-bye to Tracy Burr and Marsha Berenson. Tracy, our Executive Director for over 6 years, has seen us through many challenges and was there to guide us through a smooth transition in testing corporations. Marsha, our marketing director, piloted us into the social network age with savvy marketing visibility and new heights of demonstrating the value of the WOCNCB certifications. I am sure you, like all of us, wish them the best.
In summary, we look forward to the new directions and renewed commitments we have to you, our WOCNCB-certified nurses. As we move forward in our journey of challenges and immense rewards, we extend an offer to you. Come join us and participate in one of our committees. We need your voice and passion to continue our mission to always be the Gold Standard of WOC and FC specialty nursing certification. Stand tall and remember the C in your CWOCN credential means a commitment to excellence.
Donna L. Thompson, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, CCCN
WOCNCB President
