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Tuesday, July 8, 2025   Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cathy Harley announces plan to retire by April 30, 2026.   After 21 years leading Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC), Cathy Harley has announced she will be stepping down as CEO on April 30, 2026. Serving the wound, ostomy and continence nursing community since 2004 in this leadership position, Cathy made significant changes to the 45-year-old association including strengthening its governance structure, driving recognition through its name change from the Canadian Association of Enterostomal Therapists (CAET) to NSWOCC in 2018 , and ensuring its financial sustainability to support its short- and long-term strategic objectives. She also supported 11 Core Programs and the management of NSWOCC’s two official interest groups: the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP ™ ) and the Canadian Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (CPIAP) . Under her leadership, NSWOCC has focused on the major issues affecting wound, ostomy and continence care delivery from supporting nursing education in wound, ostomy and continence to advocating for better recognition of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs) and increased ostomy reimbursement in Ontario (2014). One of her most valued experiences was working with Indigenous nurses to develop a thriving Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Core Program in order to support Truth and Reconciliation. Cathy contributed to securing a contract for training Skin Wellness Associate Nurses (SWAN ™ ) in Long Term Care with the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care .  Her creativity in the delivery of continuing education in wound, ostomy and continence is evident in the 21 national conferences that she supported. "Cathy has impacted the lives of so many. From those who she works with to those individuals seeking wound, ostomy and continence care, Cathy always supports and encouraged evidence informed patient centered care. Cathy led NSWOCC through the pandemic working tirelessly to support wound, ostomy and continence nurses and patients getting results no matter the circumstance. She kept the Members and staff motivated through some of the most challenging times in nursing. With her strategic thinking and ability to collaborate, she has positioned NSWOCC as a nursing leader in driving positive change for wound, ostomy and continence care in Canada."  - Dr. Corey Heerschap, PhD, MScCH, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), FNSWOC, NSWOCC President When announcing her retirement, Cathy expressed her deep gratitude for the tireless support and invaluable contributions of the many Board Directors, Core Program Leaders, Volunteers, Members, contracted staff, Industry Partners, aligned associations and patients with whom she has been privileged to work with over many years.   A search committee will be established to identify a replacement to carry on this work, comprised of current and past NSWOCC board members, and will be chaired by NSWOCC President Dr. Heerschap. The committee will be conducting extensive outreach to ensure it considers candidates with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds, in keeping with NSWOCC’s commitment to promoting equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and reconciliation in its leadership. The new CEO is expected to assume their role March 1, 2026.

Living with an Ostomy does not mean you need to live with significant restrictions. One of the key aspects of embracing life with an Ostomy is learning to adapt and welcome your "new normal" life! After recovery and finding the right pouching system to fit your body, you can expect to resume an active and vibrant life. In our new series, "Guides to Living with an Ostomy", we will be exploring how you can adapt your life to embrace your "new normal". Below, see some short tips and tricks to embracing your “new normal” when you’re travelling! General Tips and Tricks take at least double the supplies you normally use. Your supplies may not be available where you are travelling or may not be reimbursable outside your home province/territory; some airlines allow you extra carry-on luggage for medical supplies, consult the airline prior to travel to receive these extra accommodations. A letter from your doctor or NSWOC may be useful regarding the need to carry ostomy supplies in your hand luggage; protect your supplies from exposure to heat or cold; keep supplies in your hand luggage to avoid exposure to extreme temperatures and in case of lost luggage; assess the quality of local drinking water; if unsafe to drink, use bottled water avoid delays at customs by carrying a letter from your surgeon that explains your ostomy surgery connect to a leg bag for longer travel to provide extra capacity for urine; ask an NSWOC, your doctor or organization in the resource list about where you plan to visit if flying, ask for an aisle seat near the washroom Additional Tips when Travelling with an Ileostomy or Colostomy consider applying a new pouching system the day before or day of your travels; use every opportunity to empty your pouch even if it is not full. a seat belt must be worn when riding in a vehicle. Protect the stoma from the seat belt by placing a soft foam pad or a small pillow between the stoma and the seatbelt. If you want to learn more about how you can adapt your life to living with an Ostomy, please visit the link below!

NSWOCC is pleased to announce the launch of three new Guides to living with an Ostomy. These are available in both English and French on our website at https://www.nswoc.ca/guides . A Guide to Living with a Jejunostomy A Guide to Living with a Gastro-Jejunostomy A Guide to Living with a Gastrostomy These guides join the previous 2nd editions of the first three Ostomy Patient Teaching Guides, last updated in 2022: A Guide to Living with an Ileostomy A Guide to Living with a Colostomy A Guide to Living with an Ileal Conduit These guides, revised this year, are now available on the NSWOCC website at  https://www.nswoc.ca/guides . On behalf of NSWOCC, we want to sincerely thank all those who worked on this project to produce such a valuable resource for patients, nurses and NSWOCs across the spectrum of healthcare.

Job Listings Interested in posting a job on this page? Contact Catherine Harley at office@nswoc.ca for posting rates and to schedule a job posting. SWAN Nurse openings (various positions) Bayshore Healthcare Posted Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse, Corporate Wound and Ostomy Care - 106289 The Ottawa Hospital Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus -Residence Corporation, Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Clinical Practice Leader Wound & Skin Program Humber River Health Humber River Hospital, Wilson Avenue, North York, ON, Canada Posted Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist EDU - Wound Care (10084) Unity Health Toronto St. Joseph's Health Centre, The Queensway, Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Friday, May 23, 2025 Close Thursday, May 29, 2025 Read Posting Details Wound Care Specialist/SWAN Nurse Bayshore HealthCare Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence or Skin Wellness Associate Nurse - Stoney Creek CBI Home Health (ON) Limited Partnership 621 Barton St suite 9, Stoney Creek, Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC Nurse (RN) Bayshore Home Care Solutions 40 Shellington Pl, Brantford, ON N3S 7Y1, Canada Posted Friday, March 21, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Clinician Skin and Wound Care, Patient Care Services Joseph Brant Hospital Burlington, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, February 13, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Wound Care Specialist- Nurse Specializing in Wound, Ostomy and Continence- IIWCC, NSWOC, WCS CarePartners Beamsville, Lincoln, ON, Canada Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) Nova Scotia Health / Valley Regional Hospital North, 150 Exhibition St, Kentville, NS B4N 1C3, Canada Posted Friday, December 13, 2024 Close Read Posting Details Community Nurse (NSWOC) CarePartners Waterloo, On & Surrounding Areas Posted Thursday, December 5, 2024 Close Read Posting Details NSWOCC Consultant St. Joseph's at Fleming Peterborough, ON, Canada Posted Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) Partners In Community Nursing (PICN) Durham, ON, Canada Posted Monday, April 8, 2024 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse - NSWOC VHA Home HealthCare Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Clinician - Skin Wound and Ostomy - 118571 Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, June 5, 2025 Close Thursday, June 12, 2025 Read Posting Details Infirmier(ère) clinicien(ne) spécialisé(e) en soins de plaie & stomothérapie Montfort Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, May 29, 2025 Close Sunday, November 2, 2025 Read Posting Details NSWOC Wound Care Nurse - Community ParaMed North York, ON, Canada Posted Friday, May 16, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Wound Care Specialist/SWAN Nurse Bayshore HealthCare Barrie, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Manager Medical Education AWM Smith+Nephew Mississauga, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, April 10, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse - Wound, Ostomy (ID: 30584) St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton - Charlton Campus 50 Charlton Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1Y3, Canada Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Close Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Read Posting Details Nurse Clinician, Enterostomal Therapy Island Health Comox, BC, Canada Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Close Friday, October 31, 2025 Read Posting Details Wound Care Specialist - Nurse Specialized for Wound Ostomy and Continence (Maternity Leave) Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) 700 Coronation Boulevard, Cambridge, ON, Canada Posted Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse, Enterostomal Therapy (Late Applicants Will Be Considered) The Ottawa Hospital Casual Position with Corporate Wound and Ostomy Team – Late Applicants will be Considered Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Friday, December 6, 2024 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC, Wound Care Nurse Specialist (RN) and Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (RPN) Bayshore Home Care Solutions Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Monday, December 2, 2024 Close Read Posting Details Business Development Coordinator Kane Biotech Canada Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Close Read Posting Details

< Back Registered Nurse - NSWOC VHA Home HealthCare Toronto, ON, Canada Casual and Full-Time Positions Available $53.66 per client (Initial consultations with clients are provided at 1.5x the visit rate) View Full Job Description How to Apply Please apply online at: VHA Careers Our online application should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. VHA is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada; an RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization designate; and a founding member agency of United Way Greater Toronto. Thank you to everyone who applies. We will review applications as they are received. We’ll only be contacting those selected for further discussion. View Full Job Description Job Description As an NSWOC at VHA Home HealthCare, you will: Provide consultation and education to, and work in collaboration with, physicians/nurse practitioners, nursing, and other interdisciplinary team members to provide evidencebased care for patients/clients/residents with skin, wound, ostomy, and continence concerns. Work with a dynamic team of wound and skin providers, consulting remotely and in person with clients in the community Provide leadership and demonstrates/applies advanced clinical preparation and expert nursing skills in the provision of care to patients/clients/residents who have skin, wound, ostomy, and/or continence challenges. VHA's Registered Nurses are required to do the following tasks, but not limited to: Assess, Monitor, and make care plan/care coordination reports and recommendations. Evaluate care plan interventions through on-going reassessment and evaluation. Ensure the quality of care of patients by identifying and acting on factors which affect practice autonomy and delivery of quality care. Demonstrate professionalism, leadership, judgment, and accountability in interactions with clients and families. Support safe client care through the development of knowledge and skills in accordance with our principles of continuous quality improvement. Informs nursing supervisor of any client activities and relevant concerns or changes in the client or the client care plan and informs/submits appropriate documentation to the case coordinator. Maintain documentation standards according to the College of Nurses of Ontario. Requirements/Qualifications Registered and in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). RN Degree from a recognized University. Must have completed the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Program (WOC-EP) from NSWOCC. Current and active membership in NSWOC Canada, preferred Preference will be given to candidates who have additionally completed any of one of the following: (1) Master’s program in Advanced Wound Care (MScCH WPC) from UofT or (2) Master of Clinical Science (MCISc) in Wound Healing Program from Western University or (3) an education program with the International Interdisciplinary Wound Care Course (IIWCC) from UofT. A minimum of 3 years of experience in Medical/Surgical Nursing or Wound Care Management is preferred. A comprehensive knowledge of community health care is preferred. Hold a valid First Aid or CPR Certification. Demonstrate effective communication (written and verbal) and documentation skills. Demonstrate reliable attendance, punctuality, and availability for the role. Commitment to modeling lifelong learning and professional growth and can apply critical thinking skills to provide client care. A valid Ontario driver’s license (G License) and a reliable vehicle for traveling is required. Company/Organization Description Grounded in our commitment to Client and Family Centred Care the key foci on the RN role is to provide and coordinate home health nursing services to diverse group of individuals, families and groups according to the College of Nurses of Ontario Practice Standards, the policies and procedures of VHA, the program where they provide services, and the Standards of Practice in Community Health Nursing. What makes VHA’s compensation unique? VHA is a leading learning organization so we can provide you with comprehensive orientation and training at the start and throughout your career Mentorship and peer support Career development opportunities Benefits and pension plan for permanent eligible employees Compensation for education and professional development (Worksmart Program) Employee and family assistance program (EAP Provider, GreenShield) Wellness resources Many Perks & discounts (Perkopolis) Staff & service provider events Accommodation and VHA’s commitment to DEI At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), we passionately strive to uphold our commitments to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We champion inclusion and diversity in all parts of our organization and are strong believers that a diverse workforce is key to the ongoing and future success of VHA. We aim to review all applicants with fair and unbiased recruitment practices where opportunities are presented based on merits, skills, and experience. VHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and our services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of diverse groups. If you require any accommodation, please let us know in advance as we are happy to comply.

NSWOCC Leadership Anne-Marie Blais Treasurer Read More Erin Rajhathy Community Engagement Read More Laureen Sommerey Nominating Committee Chair Read More Lorryjade Bellerose Communauté de pratique française / French Community of Practice Read More Karen Campbell Research and Practice Read More Lili Berescu (they/them) Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Annemarie Larocque SWAN Community of Practice Read More Christine Murphy Past President Read More Britney Butt SWAN Community of Practice Read More Mary Hill (she/her) National Conference Planning Read More Sharon Hunter SWAN Director Read More Allison Lachaine Professional Development Read More Priyanka (Pri) Jani (she/her) Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Michelle Buffalo Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Read More Marianne MacMillan-Stacey NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair Read More Jennifer Bilbie Community Engagement Read More Debra Johnston Professional Development Read More Rodney Blair NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair Read More Kevin Woo Research and Practice Co-Chair Read More Bev Smith Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Read More