SWAN® Week 2026 is officially underway! On Monday, September 14, SWANs, students, educators and members of the wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) community from across Canada joined us for our “Discover the SWAN Program” webinar, officially kicking off a week dedicated to celebrating Skin Wellness Associate Nurses and the important impact they are making across the healthcare system. This year’s theme, “Quality Improvement SOARS with SWANs!”, recognizes the leadership, competency and day-to-day contributions of SWANs across care settings — and the important role they play in advancing quality improvement and supporting better care for patients, residents, clients and families. NSWOCC President Bev Smith, RN, BScN, NSWOC shares a warm welcome to SWAN Week 2026: From a New Idea to More Than 600 SWANs Across Canada The kickoff webinar provided an opportunity to look back at how far the SWAN Program has come and where it is headed next. Vida Johnston, SWAN Co-Lead Academic Advisor with the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute, shared the history and evolution of the program, which began development in 2018–2019 in response to the need for greater access to specialized WOC education for RPNs and LPNs. The first SWAN cohort launched in 2020, and the program has continued to grow significantly since then. Today, there are 623 SWANs across Canada, with another 103 students currently enrolled. Approximately 45% of SWANs work in long-term care, with SWANs also making an impact in community care, acute care, clinics, industry and other settings. The 5.5-month, competency-based online program prepares nurses to provide evidence-informed care for stable and uncomplicated wound, ostomy and continence concerns while recognizing when more complex needs require consultation and collaboration with a NSWOC®. The webinar also provided a look at another exciting step forward for the profession: work toward SWAN certification through the Canadian Nurses Association, anticipated for 2027. The proposed certification will be portfolio-based, recognizing continuing education, professional activities and the work nurses are undertaking within their SWAN roles. Giving SWANs a Voice and Building a National Community Sharon Hunter, SWAN Director on the NSWOCC Board of Directors, spoke about her role in representing the perspectives of SWANs and advocating for their continued growth and recognition. She also reflected on how SWANs contribute to quality improvement at the point of care — working directly with patients, residents and clients, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, educating and supporting colleagues, and helping ensure that care reflects the needs and goals of the individual. Annemarie Larocque, SWAN Community of Practice Lead, also highlighted the important role of the SWAN Community of Practice in connecting SWANs from across the country. Through regular meetings, the Community of Practice provides opportunities for SWANs to share experiences, seek guidance and mentorship, discuss clinical topics and products, problem-solve together and explore how the SWAN role is developing across long-term care, community, acute care and other settings. Meet Alanna Howse: One SWAN’s Journey One of the highlights of our kickoff was hearing from Alanna Howse, who shared her personal journey through the SWAN Program and what becoming a SWAN has meant for her nursing practice. Alanna described completing the program as one of the most challenging and rewarding accomplishments of her nursing career. During the approximately six months she spent completing the program, Alanna was also working full-time, supporting her son through a busy soccer schedule five to six days a week and moving homes — all while managing a significant academic workload. Finding the time required determination. She studied after night shifts, worked on assignments late into the night and even turned the time spent waiting during her son’s soccer practices into opportunities to read and complete coursework. There were moments when balancing everything was difficult, but Alanna remained committed to finishing what she had started. And today, she is seeing the impact of that commitment in her everyday practice. Since completing the program, Alanna has been able to share her wound care knowledge with her nursing colleagues, helping them better understand wound assessment and management, why wounds develop, factors that may delay healing and interventions that can contribute to improved outcomes. She is also using that knowledge directly with her patients — helping them better understand their wounds, why they may have developed, what is happening throughout the healing process and what they can do to support their own healing. For Alanna, becoming a SWAN has strengthened her confidence, supported her professional growth and deepened her passion for wound care. Her journey is also a powerful example of what we mean when we say “Quality Improvement SOARS with SWANs!” When a SWAN develops greater knowledge and confidence, that impact does not stop with one nurse. It can extend to colleagues through education and mentorship, to patients through greater understanding and engagement in their care, and ultimately to the broader healthcare team through stronger, evidence-informed WOC care. Watch the Full SWAN Week Kickoff Thank you to everyone who joined us from communities across Canada and helped make our kickoff such a great start to SWAN Week 2026. If you weren’t able to join us live — or would like to watch the presentations again — watch the full “Discover the SWAN Program” webinar here: And we’re only getting started! Throughout SWAN Week, we’ll continue sharing stories, photos and messages recognizing the incredible work of SWANs and SWAN–NSWOC teams across the country. We encourage SWANs to share how they’re celebrating, submit a photo proudly wearing their SWAN lab coat or merchandise, or recognize a SWAN or SWAN–NSWOC team making a difference in their organization or community. Learn more and follow everything happening throughout SWAN Week 2026 at: https://www.nswoc.ca/swan-week-2026

The NSWOCC Board of Directors and the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN®) Community of Practice are proud to announce SWAN Week 2026: “Quality improvement SOARS with SWANs” SWAN Week 2026, September 14–18, celebrates the impact of Skin Wellness Associate Nurses (SWANs) in advancing wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) care across Canada. This year’s theme highlights the leadership, competency, and day-to-day contributions of SWANs in every care setting — and the important role they play in advancing quality improvement throughout our health care system. ​ With 500+ active SWANs and SWAN students participating in our growing SWAN Community of Practice, this week recognizes the nurses who champion evidence-based practice, mentor and educate colleagues, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and improve patient outcomes alongside Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs). This week, join us in celebrating SWANs, who make a difference in wound, ostomy and continence care every day. Show Your SWAN Pride! Are you a SWAN? Send us a photo of yourself in your SWAN lab coat, SWAN merchandise, or showing your SWAN pride! ​ Throughout SWAN Week, we want to feature members of our growing SWAN community from across the country. ​ Whether you're at work, with your colleagues, or simply showing off your SWAN gear, submit a photo that we can share through our SWAN Week communications and social media. Recognize a SWAN or SWAN–NSWOC Team Know a SWAN who's doing incredible work? Is there a SWAN–NSWOC team making a difference in your organization or community? We want to hear about them! ​ Submit a message of recognition, a story, a case example, or simply a few words of thanks celebrating the contributions of one or more SWANs. Recognition can be big or small — we want to highlight the everyday leadership, collaboration, quality improvement, and patient impact happening across the country. ​ Selected stories and messages will be shared throughout SWAN Week 2026, including in our special SWAN Week newsletter and other communications, helping us recognize and celebrate the outstanding work of SWANs from coast to coast. Upcoming meetings & events during SWAN Week Development of a New Evidence-Based Skin Tear Assessment and Classification Toolkit for Indigenous Skin Tones Tuesday, September 15 3:00pm ET (12:00pm PT) The Science of Slough - Understanding its impact and optimal treatment Thursday, September 17 6pm ET (3pm PT) More events to be announced soon About the SWAN® Program For practical nurses and diploma RNs who aspire to become respected nurse leaders and integral members of their organization’s wound, ostomy, and continence leadership team, the CNA-accredited Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program is the only program in Canada that offers: competency and evidence-informed advanced knowledge in wound, ostomy and continence management; confidence to transfer that knowledge into practice; recognition and respect for your competencies through the nationally recognized SWAN designation; and continuous learning and lifelong support through mentorship and collaboration in a SWAN-Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) team. ​ SWANs are uniquely recognized for their advanced knowledge and their contributions as wound, ostomy and continence nurse champions in their workplaces and communities across Canada. Impact in Practice - The SWAN® Difference: “Our SWAN has been indispensable in strengthening wound care on our unit. One shift each week is dedicated to a skin project overseen by an NSWOC, and they lead reviews of our most clinically complex wounds. On other shifts, they act as a go-to resource for treatment plans and coaching. Since introducing the role, we’ve seen a marked reduction in wounds, including a heel ulcer once considered non-healable that is now nearly closed. They also worked with nursing and pharmacy to secure the right ostomy supplies for a resident with a high-output ileostomy, resulting in significant improvement in peristomal skin.”

NSWOCC is proud to be an educational partner of WoundWISE and share these upcoming educational opportunities on behalf of their organization with our members and the wider wound, ostomy and continence community: We're excited to announce two new WoundWISE® events coming to Southern Ontario this September, with many more coming soon across Canada this Fall. Each event is a full-day, hands-on clinical education workshop where you'll rotate through interactive skills education stations led by NSWOCs and wound care experts, supported by innovations from leading industry partners. Each station focuses on the application of innovations in wound care to the real-world challenges clinicians face every day, typically ranging from wound cleansing and dressing selection to continuity of care between settings, and more. Plus, since WoundWISE® is proudly partnered with Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) to bring you these events, all participants will receive an NSWOCC®-issued certificate of attendance. We'll be sharing more details in the coming days, including the full education agenda and topics, learning objectives, and the lineup of educating industry partners for each event. Stay tuned. Spots are limited, and the event is coming fast. Don't delay in securing your seat! About WoundWISE Established in 2025, WoundWISE® is a Canadian event series for health care professionals caring for individuals experiencing skin and wound related challenges. Our nationwide events offer wound care skill development with with a focus on best practice recommendations, and is a rare opportunity to get hands-on training and best practice education with some of the latest innovations in advanced wound care. WoundWISE® is brought to you by industry partners in proud partnership with Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC).

NSWOCC Leadership Anne-Marie Blais Treasurer Read More Marianne MacMillan-Stacey NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair Read More Jennifer Bilbie Community Engagement Read More Mary Hill (she/her) National Conference Planning Read More Lorryjade Bellerose Communauté de pratique française / French Community of Practice Read More Kira Stewart Membership Read More Kevin Woo Research and Practice Co-Chair Read More Christine Murphy Past President Read More Erin Rajhathy Community Engagement Read More Laureen Sommerey Nominating Committee Chair Read More Amanda Sowiak Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Sharon Hunter SWAN Director Read More Karen Campbell Research and Practice Read More Lili Berescu (they/them) Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Misty Stephens Harm Reduction Community of Practice Read More Britney Butt SWAN Community of Practice Read More Maude Pothier-Cyr Communauté de pratique francophone Read More Debra Johnston Professional Development Read More Rodney Blair NSWOCC Industry Advisory Committee (NIAC) Co-Chair Read More Allison Lachaine Professional Development Read More

Job Listings Interested in posting a job on this page? Please fill out our job posting application. For any questions please contact Catherine Harley at office@nswoc.ca. Job Posting Application Nurse C - Enterostomal Therapist Saskatchewan Health Authority Saskatchewan, Canada Posted Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Close Thursday, October 8, 2026 Read Posting Details NSWOC Nurse ParaMed Amherstview, Loyalist, ON K7N 1C1, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC Nurse ParaMed Greater Napanee, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC RN ParaMed Burlington, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC/SWAN Nurse ParaMed Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist - West Urgo Medical Canada Inc. Posted Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Communications & Operations Manager Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Canada Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, May 7, 2026 Close Sunday, May 31, 2026 Read Posting Details Clinical Strategy Manager Coloplast Oakville, ON, Canada Posted Friday, March 13, 2026 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC- Nurse The Care Company Greater Toronto Area, ON, Canada Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Wound Care Nurse Consultant RN Bayshore HealthCare Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Monday, January 12, 2026 Close Monday, March 16, 2026 Read Posting Details Registered Nurse, NSWOC (Multiple Positions) VON Canada Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse, Wound Care Spectrum Health Care Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Friday, December 5, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Nurse, Wound Care Spectrum Health Care Mississauga, ON, Canada Posted Monday, November 3, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse - NSWOC VHA Home HealthCare Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Friday, October 31, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Infirmier(ère) clinicien(ne) spécialisé(e) en soins de plaie & stomothérapie Hôpital Montfort Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Thursday, October 9, 2025 Close Read Posting Details SWAN Nurse opening Bayshore Healthcare Posted Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC Wound Care Nurse - Community ParaMed North York, ON, Canada Posted Friday, May 16, 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 NSWOC Nurse ParaMed Kingston, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC Nurse ParaMed Sydenham, ON K0H 2T0, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Registered Nurse - Wound Care Consultant ParaMed Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details NSWOC RN ParaMed Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Casual NSWOC Nurse ParaMed Chatham-Kent, ON, Canada Posted Monday, June 22, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Wound and Continence Care Nurse St. Joseph's Home Care Hamilton, ON, Canada Posted Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Close Friday, July 31, 2026 Read Posting Details Conseiller(ère) en soins infirmiers - Soins de plaies/Nursing Consultant - Wound Care Le CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal Montreal, QC, Canada Posted Thursday, March 19, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Nurse Specializing in Wounds Ostomy & Continence (NSWOC Certified) Partners in Community Nursing 1001 Burns St E, Whitby, ON L1N 1Y6, Canada Posted Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Close Read Posting Details Wound Care Specialist Ontario Health atHome Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Close Thursday, December 31, 2026 Read Posting Details NSWOC Nurse - RN ParaMed Home Health Care Toronto, ON, Canada Posted Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Close Thursday, December 31, 2026 Read Posting Details Infirmier clinicien ou infirmière clinicienne-Services de soins de plaies et de Stomie-HGM Montreal, QC, Canada Posted Friday, December 19, 2025 Close Thursday, January 22, 2026 Read Posting Details Registered Nurse (Skin, Wound, & Ostomy Care) - 15801 Queensway Carleton Hospital Ottawa, ON, Canada Posted Monday, November 24, 2025 Close Monday, December 1, 2025 Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist University Health Network 170 Emmett Ave, York, ON M6M 2J5, Canada Posted Monday, November 3, 2025 Close Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Read Posting Details Clinical Nurse Specialist - Wound and Ostomy Care Scarborough Health Network 3050 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M1P 2V5, Canada Posted Friday, October 10, 2025 Close Read Posting Details Community NSWOC Nurse (NSWOC) Stay At Home Nursing Services Inc Posted Friday, September 12, 2025 Close Monday, October 13, 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 Saturday, November 1, 2025 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

Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) is a registered charity and membership-based association for over 500 nurses specialized in the nursing care of patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence and over 700 members overall. SWAN Week 2026: September 14-18, 2026 The NSWOCC Board of Directors and the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN®) Community of Practice are proud to announce SWAN Week 2026: “Quality improvement SOARS with SWANs” Learn more > NSWOCC News 1 2 3 4 5 Upcoming Events 3 days to the event "Are you in a Pressure Cooker?" Atlantic Education Day 2026 Sep 25, 2026, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ADT Red Shores Racetrack & Casino, 58 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown, PE C1A 9S8, Canada More info Register Now 4 days to the event NSWOCC Atlantic Regional Meeting Sep 26, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ADT Delta Hotels Prince Edward, 18 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4A1, Canada More info Register Now 8 days to the event Advancing Pressure Injury Prevention and Management: Integrating Skin Management and NPWT to Optimize the Wound Environm Sep 30, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT Webinar More info Register Now 14 days to the event Beyond the Basics: Advanced Antimicrobial Solutions for Bioburden Control and Wound Healing Oct 06, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EDT Webinar More info Register Now 21 days to the event The Evidence for Implementing the geko® Wound Therapy Device to Improve Wound Healing in Leg Ulcers Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EDT Webinar More info Register Now Multiple Dates 23 days to the event NSWOCC Members Journal Club Oct 15, 2026, 8:00 p.m. EDT – Oct 16, 2026, 9:00 p.m. EDT Zoom More info Register Now 27 days to the event Venous Leg Ulcers – Guidance on the Implementation of the geko® Wound Therapy Device Oct 19, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EDT Webinar More info Register Now 36 days to the event Diabetic Foot Ulcers – Prevention, VIPs & Guidance on the Implementation of the geko® Wound Therapy Device Oct 28, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EDT Webinar More info Register Now Load More About NSWOCC Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) is a registered charity and membership-based association for over 600 nurses specialized in the care of patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence and over 1,600 members overall. NSWOCC acts in the public interest for Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) to give national leadership in wound, ostomy and continence promoting high standards for NSWOC practice, education, research and administration to achieve quality specialized nursing care. NSWOCC speaks for NSWOCs and gives them a strong national association through which they can support each other and speak with a powerful, unified voice. NSWOCC is working towards taking an active role in legislative policy which could influence the health care decisions that affect NSWOC professionals every day. Read the NSWOCC Position Statement Who are NSWOC®s? A Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) is a registered nurse with advanced and specialized knowledge and clinical skills in wound, ostomy and continence care who has graduated from a World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET®) recognized education program. Recognized as Nurses who have specialized training in wound, ostomy and continence by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence are the ONLY nursing specialty with CNA certification in wound, ostomy and continence care (WOCC(C)). From acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, community, long term care and in independent practice, an NSWOC® provides specialized holistic assessment and management as an interprofessional team member to meet the needs of individuals/families with ostomies, acute and chronic wounds and urinary and fecal continence problems. Learn more The Power of 3 Resources for NSWOCs Job Postings Re-Certification Position Statements Best Practice Recommendations Become an NSWOC The Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute’s flagship program is our Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) Program. The NSWOC Program is a state of the art, paced, 12-month, online program which prepares applicants with a BN/BScN and/or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for the role of a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC). The final exam for the program is the Canadian Nurses Associate (CNA) certification exam, which, upon achievement, enables the NSWOC to use the credential WOCC(C). The NSWOC Program is a competency and standards of practice guided, rigorous program, aimed at insuring the high quality of its graduates. Through the CANMeds styled, competency-based preceptorship component of the program, the NSWOC Program strives to mentor and grow tomorrows nurse leaders. NSWOCs graduates are among the nursing elite. They demonstrate an advanced level of critical thinking, clinical skill and leadership qualities. The advantage of NSWOCs’ tri- specialization is especially clear when patients have needs that require more than one area of specialty. Learn more CNA Certification Exam Join NSWOCC Join over 600 nurses specialized in the care of patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence, and a total membership of over 1,100 healthcare professionals, industry members, students, and international associates all dedicated to wound, ostomy and continence education & care. Join NSWOCC Membership Benefits Membership Types Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program For practical nurses and diploma RNs who aspire to become respected nurse leaders and integral members of their organization’s wound, ostomy, and continence leadership team, the CNA-accredited SWAN program is the only program that offers: competency and evidence-informed advanced knowledge in wound, ostomy and continence management; confidence to transfer that knowledge into practice; recognition and respect for your competencies through the nationally recognized SWAN designation; and continuous learning and lifelong support through mentorship and collaboration in a SWAN-Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) team. The SWAN program is accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association. SWANs are uniquely recognized for their advanced knowledge and their contributions as wound, ostomy and continence nurse champions in their workplaces and communities across Canada. Skilled nurses provide optimal patient care. The goal of the SWAN™ Program is to educate and prepare more skilled wound, ostomy and continence nurses across the spectrum of care (e.g. acute care, long-term care and home care). Graduates will have an enhanced ability to provide optimal care for individuals with wound, ostomy and continence issues as members of a collaborative NSWOC team. The program is designed to provide non-specialty nurses the ability to provide optimal wound, ostomy and continence care under the direction of the NSWOC, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Wound, Ostomy or Continence) or Physician and to be integral members of the WOC team. Learn more! Official Interest Groups