President's Message
Welcome to fall! October brings cooler temperatures and WOCNCB’s fall Board of Directors’ meeting. It was the last meeting for Jessica Simmons, WOCNCB’s Immediate Past President, and I would like to thank her for her years of service to WOCNCB. In addition, I would like to welcome Yvette Conyers to the Board of Directors. I look forward to working with her.
At our Board meeting, Linda McKenna was elected President-Elect for 2025. Congratulations to Linda! In addition to the Board of Directors meeting, our Marketing, Public Policy and Advocacy, WTA-C Exam, and WOC Exam Committees met. Thank you to all of the certified nurses giving their time and energy to the important work of their committees.
The Board of Directors completed its strategic plan for the next several years. We have a number of initiatives to improve the experience of new applicants and recertifying nurses including the launch of a new online Advanced Practice Portfolio system for advanced practice nurses and a Professional Growth Portfolio process for the WTA-C program. Watch for announcements as these and other features become available.
If you or your friends and colleagues have been impacted by the recent hurricanes in the southeast, WOCNCB is here to help. If any nurses are unable to recertify due to these disasters, we can extend certification expiration dates. Please contact the WOCNCB office for assistance.
Warm regards,
Clay E. Collins, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN
WOCNCB® President
What's New
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Welcome New WOCNCB® Board Members!
From left to right: Congratulations to board member-elect Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, CNE, CWCN-AP from Maryland. Yvette will start a new four year term in January, 2025. Linda McKenna, MSN, RN, CWOCN is currently a WOCNCB Board Member and was re-elected and will continue to serve the Board through 2028. Thank you for volunteering your time to the Wound, Ostomy, Continence and Foot Care nursing specialties! COMING SOON
Consider Recertification by PGP and Skip the Exam! |
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The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) is excited to announce the completion of a two-year advocacy project with the unveiling of a new resource: the first-ever online locator to improve access to ostomy care. This new directory of outpatient ostomy services allows medical professionals, patients and caregivers to easily locate outpatient ostomy care near their specified geographical area. UOAA is grateful to the WOCNCB members who submitted their ostomy locations to this directory. If you would like to help UOAA expand its directory with your outpatient facility, please email advocacy@ostomy.org.
Helping Hands
WOCNCB Team Celebrated Ostomy Awareness Day
WOCNCB team members joined to Celebrate Ostomy Awareness Day on October 5, 2024 by participating in UOAA's Virtual Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k! The Ostomy 5k event is a key fundraiser to support the programs and services of United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA). UOAA’s goal is to raise awareness and share the message that “Ostomies Are Life-Savers!” To learn more about the event and donate click here.
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Pictured above: WOCNCB Team members: Board member Cathy Harmon with her dog Vader in Florida, Lisa Obradovic with her dog Miso in Wisconsin, Public Policy & Advocacy Committee member Staci Bacon with kids in South Carolina and Board member Sarah Erslev running in Colorado! Thank you to all who participated in this amazing event! |
Next Live PGP Office Hours November 20th!
Join WOCNCB volunteers for PGP Office Hours, where you can ask questions in real time and learn more about the PGP process and resources.
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Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83685619793?pwd=Y1hqaGlvQStYaU9rRlNMQkR3ZE5JUT09
Meeting ID: 836 8561 9793
Passcode: 411130
Check out the new PGP resources available on our website: the 2024 PGP Handbook, PGP FAQs, short tutorial videos and WOCNCB Certification Inspiration podcast New Streamlined PGP Requirements – What you Need to Know!
WOCNCB is Here for You - Disaster Relief
Credential Extension Request
If you were impacted by the recent hurricanes, or other personal or natural disaster and you are due to recertify, we are here to help. We understand that recovering from a natural disaster can take days to months or longer, with immediate needs being addressed first. If you are unable to recertify due to these natural disasters, we can extend your certification expiration date. In addition, through our Benevolence Fund, we may be able to assist with meeting exam or PGP fees.
Please reach out to us when you are able at info@wocncb.org or 1-888-496-2622.
We welcome the opportunity to help you so that you, in turn, can continue to help others.
Currently certified nurses may request an extension of their credentials. Acceptable reasons are: serious medical and COVID-19 related issues, natural disaster or active military duty. An extension request can extend your certification for 3 to 6 months to allow you more time to prepare to take the exam. Please submit a credential extension request before your credentials lapse. A form to request an extension can be found here. Reviews of extension applications are completed within 7-10 days.
The Benevolence Fund
The Benevolence Fund provides financial support for recertification. Possible circumstances that would qualify you for funding:
- Severe Illness/Accident
- Death of Immediate Family Member
- Natural Disaster (fire, crime, flood, weather, etc.)
To learn more and download the application visit the Benevolence Fund page of our website.
Did you Know?
Need PGP points? Volunteer to Promote WOCNCB with the Showbox!
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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 5 PGP points (category 3) under any specialty! To request a Showbox contact: info@wocncb.org. Please provide 2 weeks notice of event. |
Save the Date!
FREE Online WOCN® Wound Education Day!
Saturday, November 2, 10:00 AM - 5:50 PM ET
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Earn 7.0 Contact Hours & 0.25 hours of Pharmacology Credits.This live event is free, but pre-registration is required. These Contact Hours may be used for PGP points for the wound specialty! Learn more and register here.
Can't Join Live? No problem! Register by noon ET on November 2th and get 90 days of free on-demand access to all sessions and credits.
Look for WOCNCB Booth 1150!
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Oct 30-Nov 1 New Orleans, LA. Learn more to register
WOCNCB Certified Nurses Present @Desert Foot Conference
All WOCNCB official announcements are sent via emailUpdate your contact information in one simple step!
The WOCN® Society and WOCNCB do not share contact databases to prevent any perceived or actual conflict of interest on the part of the certification board.
To learn more regarding the WOCN® Society and the benefits of membership please visit wocn.org. Please keep your email address up-to-date! |
Remember, your certifications are with WOCNCB. 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 
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WOCNCB Phone: (888) 496-2622 Fax: (414) 276-2146 Email: info@wocncb.org |
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