Welcome, Spring is finally here! Spring symbolizes a time of renewal, rejuvenation and growth as the earth shakes off the cold, dreary dormancy of winter. Spring is also a time for each of us to re-focus on our own personal growth and development. We give so much of ourselves as nurses that we often forget to take time to focus on our own well-being. I encourage each of you to take advantage of this season of hope and renewal to shake off the things that may be holding you back, and let yourself blossom in your personal and professional life. Get out and enjoy the beauty of spring and let it rejuvenate your spirit. Seek out new opportunities for growth in both your career and in your personal life. Focus on your own mental, physical and spiritual health. Slow down, take some time for yourself and seek to rebalance and find the harmony between your relationships, career and the stressors of daily life.

Speaking of growth and development, we here at the WOCNCB are continually seeking out ways to improve both the certification and recertification process. We are excited to announce that we will be moving to a new testing agency over the next several months.

We have partnered with PSI to assist us with our exam development as well as exam prep material development. This is an exciting change for the future and I have no doubt that PSI will help us improve not only the testing experience but also our test prep materials. We will keep you posted with progress updates as we move forward.

I also would like to express my gratitude to each of you as we celebrate Certified Nurse Day on March 19th and WOC Nurse week April 13-19. You are much appreciated! This year we are also celebrating 87 WOCNCB certified nurses who have reached their 30 year anniversary; what an accomplishment! I congratulate each of you and thank you for your years of hard work and dedication to improving the lives of the people we serve.

We hope to see you at the WOCNext conference in June in Orlando, Florida where we will be announcing our Employer of the Year. Nominations are in, and we have some exceptional organizations in the running!

Warm regards,

Clay E. Collins, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN
WOCNCB^® President

Congratulations to these WOCNCB^® Certified Nurses for hitting the 30-year Continuous Certification Mark in 2025!

Did You Know?

WOCNCB offers Retired/Emeritus and Inactive Status

Retired/Emeritus Status

Retired/Emeritus Status is for certified nurses who have retired with an active certification and wish to remain connected to other WOCNCB® certified nurses. Retired/Emeritus Status allows nurses to reinstate their active status within five (5) years of being granted Retired/Emeritus Status if they decide to return to the workplace.

Inactive Status

Inactive Status is for certified nurses who decide not to recertify due to personal illness, injury, a catastrophic natural disaster, responsibilities as a caregiver, or relocation that has kept them from fulfilling the requirements for recertification, and who may wish to return to certified status within three (3) years.

Public Policy and Advocacy Committee

Public Policy and Advocacy Committee members above left to right: Melissa Ramdas, Christine Palaski, Staci Bacon, Teresa Gentry, Molly McPeek, Stephanie Malik and Kimberly Gondos (Deanna Vargo and Jennifer Yeckley not pictured).

One of the main purposes of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee is to Monitor and inform WOCNCB certified nurses about legislation, nursing licensure, and regulatory actions that affect or impact the roles of WOCNCB certified nurses and certification. We are constantly reviewing multiple websites including:

www.cms.gov/newsroom  www.npiap.org  www.aanp.org  www.nursingworld.org  www.unitedspinal.org/access-care-coalition/  www.woundcarestakeholders.org  www.wocn.org www.nahc.org  www.ostomy.org   www.qualityforum.org  www.cms.gov/medicare www.diabeteseducator.org  www.medicaid.gov 

CHANGES COMING!

Skin Substitute Grafts/Cellular and Tissue-Based Products changes effective 4/13/25.

Are you ready for the cellular tissue product (CTP) changes? Be sure to check your Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for details.

Are you aware of the new caregiver codes?

CMS has developed new coding and payment for caregiver training (HCPCS codes G0541–G0543). These codes can be used for training on such things as pressure injury prevention, wound/ostomy care and infection control. Read the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters article for more details. Codes effective as of January 1st, 2025.

Certified Nurses Day March 19 & WOC Nurse Week is April 13-19!

Get ready to celebrate! Thank you to all our certified nurses for all you are doing each and every day. We appreciate your dedication to patient care as leaders in your specialty! Download signs to promote being WOCNCB^® Certified on March 19th and during WOC Week and share your photos via social media  #wocncb #nurses #certification  #CertifiedNursesDay #WOCNurseWeek2025.

Celebrate being a WOCNCB Certified Nurse WOCNCB logo items. Click here to order from the new WOCNCB® collection!

Helping Hands

WOCNCB^® is here for you! Don't let your credentials lapse!

Credential Extension Request

Currently certified nurses may request an extension of their credentials. Acceptable reasons include: 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. Please don't let your credentials lapse because of financial hardship. Possible circumstances that would qualify you for funding include:

• 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.

Grace Period

WOCNCB has instituted a grace period for recertification by candidates with lapsed credentials. This grace period is available to candidates’ whose credentials lapsed within six (6) months of their credential expiration date. If you have a lapsed credential of six (6) months or less and wish to recertify, you may use a one-time grace period to recertify via examination. Details found on page 10 of the Exam Handbook.

Look for WOCNCB in the Exhibit Hall in 2025!

MAY 1-3 GRAPEVINE, TX. Learn more and register.

JUNE 1-3 ORLANDO, FL. Learn more and register.

OCTOBER 8-10 ATLANTA, GA. Learn more and register.

June 17-22 SAN DIEGO, CA. Learn more and register.

All WOCNCB official announcements are sent via email

Update your contact information in one simple step!

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 info@wocncb.org. Help us help you to keep your contact information up-to-date to receive recertification reminders! 

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!