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A System Under Strain Every year, Canada’s provincial and territorial governments spend more than $250 billion in total on health care (Canadian Institute for Health Information [CIHI], 2018). In the next decade as the country’s population ages, that spending is only going to increase. Longer life expectancies and declining fertility rates are contributing to an overall older demographic (World Health Organization, 2015). Economic models predict that healthcare costs will rise by 1% each year between 2010 and 2036 due to population aging alone (Mackenzie & Rachlis, 2010). So, how can we achieve a sustainable healthcare system? Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOCs) can Help! Registered Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs) can help alleviate the financial strain facing administrators and policymakers through the provision of higher quality care, reduced costs and improved outcomes for patients. In our previous articles, we focused on how NSWOCs lead to high-quality care and lower which improves outcomes for patients, care providers, and the healthcare industry as a whole. Today, we will be exploring how NSWOCs can contribute to better outcomes for patients. NSWOCs Improve Outcomes Getting patients out of acute care faster frees up beds for new cases. Through specialized treatment approaches and prevention strategies, NSWOCs measurably reduce durations of hospital stays and facilitate patient access and flow. NSWOCs Improve Outcomes by: For a More Sustainable System Ultimately, with a tri-specialization in wound, ostomy and continence, NSWOCs are helping address the challenges facing Canada’s healthcare system. Employing NSWOCs is an effective strategy for controlling costs through high-quality, evidence-based care that leads to better outcomes for patients. NSWOCs bring about these benefits as care providers but also as sources of specialized knowledge for interdisciplinary healthcare teams, care consultants to other health professionals, as well as through best practice and protocol development, research and other avenues. To learn more about the power of NSWOCs, visit the link below!

In order to meet the needs of underrepresented populations who may be experiencing wound, ostomy and or continence issues, NSWOCC will be launching a new Harm Reduction Community of Practice which will be led by two NSWOCs with active experience rooted in harm reduction, Priyanka (she/her) and Lili (they/them) - Priyanka is a board member of the Student Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN) in Hamilton, Ontario, and both Priyanka and Lili are Consumption Treatment Services nurses in Kitchener, Ontario. Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that have a goal to minimise the negative health, social and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies and drug laws. Harm reduction is grounded in justice and human rights and focuses on positive change and on working with people without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that people stop using drugs as a precondition of support. This inclusion should and can extend to NSWOC practice and clients, we must make our efforts to build shared value in our community and develop our teams to be a community asset. We invite you to join this new Harm Reduction Community of Practice for the inaugural meeting on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM Eastern. To register, please email office@nswoc.ca (office@nswoc.ca) and then a zoom link will be sent to you. On behalf of Lili and Priyanka, we look forward to meeting with you on Thursday October 12 at 730PM and starting a conversation and taking action on harm reduction in wound, ostomy and continence.

In the ever-evolving landscape of wound care, innovation and research continually push the boundaries of what is possible. One such development that has been making waves in recent years is Topical Oxygen Therapy (TOT) in wound healing. Addressing this approach, EO2 presented the JWC International Consensus Document on "Use of Topical Oxygen Therapy in Wound Healing" at the Ottawa area NSWOC and SWAN meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Today, we are excited to share this document with all NSWOCC Members on behalf of EO2, providing a comprehensive insight into the promising world of TOT. The consensus document explores the role of oxygen in wound healing and introduces topical oxygen therapy (TOT) and its mechanisms, providing an overview of treatment options. It assesses the evidence for TOT in hard-to-heal wounds but does not directly compare TOT modalities or review systemic hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The document also addresses the practical integration of TOT into wound care, patient perspectives, cost-effectiveness, and suggests future research directions.

#SWANsElevateCare September 18-22, 2023 Join NSWOCC in celebrating our inaugural SWAN™ Week 2023 next week on September 18-22, 2023! The inaugural theme for 2023 is SWAN™ Week 2023: “Crucial Members of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Team”. SWANs elevate the standard of care by... enhancing the lives of individuals facing wound, ostomy, and continence challenges. providing day-to-day specialty care at the bedside. being crucial and integral members of the interprofessional wound, ostomy, and continence team. championing the principles of efficient, effective, and culturally sensitive healthcare across diverse settings, including acute care, community, rehabilitation, and long term care. tirelessly advocating for patients. consuming research, applying their findings to enhance practice and patient care. To celebrate, we encourage you to download, print, and share the SWAN Week Flyer, and share messages on social media using the assets below and the hashtag #SWANsElevateCare. SWAN Role SWAN™s are uniquely recognized for their advanced knowledge and their contributions as wound, ostomy and continence nurse champions in their workplaces and communities across Canada. Learn more about the SWAN Job Description below! Join the SWAN Community of Practice Meeting & Info Night! Tuesday, September 19 from 7:30-8:30pm ET (4:30-5:30pm PT)

Exciting news! The application window for the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification exam and renewal by continuous learning is now open! Whether you are preparing for the Fall Exam or considering certification renewal, we've got you covered with all the essential information you need. Fall Exam - Initial CNA Certification: For those aiming to write their initial certification exam this Fall, the application period is open from June 5 to September 30. The exam writing window will take place from November 1 to 15, and you can expect to receive your results in December. Don't miss this opportunity to take the next step in your professional journey! Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning: If you're due for certification renewal, the application window for renewal by continuous learning is open from January 11, 2023, to December 16, 2023. Did you know? As an NSWOCC Member, you are eligible for additional Exam Prep Benefits and continuous learning hours to make the renewal process seamless. Eligible Continuous Learning Activities: By registering as an NSWOCC Member, you automatically gain access to 4 continuous learning hours per year, adding up to a total of 20 hours during the five-year period between certification writing and renewal. Participating in NSWOCC activities can also earn you CL hours: NSWOCC Members Journal Club: Qualifies as CL hours under "Independent Study." NSWOCC WOC Institute Continuing Education Webinars: Qualifies as CL hours under "Webinars." WOC Institute Preceptors are eligible for CL hours. Professional Publications: Authors of articles, textbook chapters, teaching guides, or Best Practice Recommendations Documents are eligible for CL hours. All NSWOCC Board Members and Core Program Leaders can claim 25 hours of CL activities. If you have any questions or you don’t see an activity you completed, please do not hesitate to contact CNA at certification@cna-aiic.ca. Did you know? Completing the Advanced Wound Debridement Course counts for 32 hours that you can apply towards your Renewal by Continuous Learning for the WOCC(C) credential through the Canadian Nurses Association! Learn more at www.wocinstitute.ca/advanced-wound-debridement. Track Your Learning: To keep track of your CL hours effortlessly, use CNA's form, "Continuous Learning for Certification Renewal: Activities and Competencies." Simply log your completed activities and submit them as part of your renewal application at the end of your five-year term. Continuous Learning (CL) Activities — General Guidelines: The CNA Certification Program offers flexibility in the type of CL activities you can count toward renewing your certification credential. Here are some key guidelines: CL activities must relate to improving knowledge and skills in your nursing practice specialty. Each CL activity must be completed within the five-year certification term. Count one CL hour for each clock hour. Count any CL activities that are 30 minutes or longer. No pre-authorization is required to count your CL activities. Count the same CL activity only once during the five-year term, unless it’s at a higher level. NSWOC Prep Course for the CNA Certification Exam: Prepare confidently for the CNA Certification Exam with our comprehensive NSWOC Prep Course. The course includes a review of core competencies, relevant wound, ostomy, and continence curriculum, sample exam questions, and a dedicated study group for support. To access the course, log in to www.nswoc.ca and visit the "Members Login" area. Click on "View available downloads" in the left-hand sidebar and select "NSWOCC CNA Certification Prep Course." Join the Online Study Group: As an NSWOCC Member, you have the added benefit of joining the NSWOCC CNA Certification Exam study group. For joining this supportive community, please contact chair@wocinstitute.ca before October 20th, 2023. We are here to support you in your journey toward CNA certification and renewal. Don't miss these valuable opportunities! Reach out to office@nswoc.ca or chair@wocinstitute.ca with any questions or concerns. At NSWOCC, we are here to support you in your journey toward CNA certification or renewal. Don't miss these valuable opportunities! Please feel free to reach out to office@nswoc.ca or chair@wocinstitute.ca with any questions or concerns.

What is the NSWOC Advance? The NSWOC Advance (formerly The Link) is the official publication of the Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC). There are 3 issues of the NSWOC Advance per year which are distributed in print and electronic versions by March 1, September 1 and December 1. The NSWOC Advance accepts contributions in the form of professional news, research projects and findings, clinical papers, case studies, reports, review articles, and letters to the editor. It is a useful communication tool to support the advancement of nursing in wound, ostomy and continence. NSWOCC Member Benefit: Subscription to the NSWOC Advance! As an NSWOCC Member, you will automatically receive Subscription to 3 issues of the NSWOC Advance online or in print. NSWOC Advance publishes peer-reviewed manuscripts and articles on topics related to wound, ostomy, and continence nursing practice. Submit your clinical article or case study now and share your research and experiences with colleagues across Canada! How YOU can publish a manuscript: As an NSWOCC Member, we encourage you to take advance of the opportunity to submit manuscripts in the form of clinical cases, articles, and/or research in the NSWOC Advance! Our editorial team, led by Lina Martins, NSWOC Advance Editor-in-Chief, will help guide you through the submission process. To learn more, please get in touch with office@nswoc.ca or our editor-in-chief directly at nswocadvance@nswoc.ca. To learn more about the manuscript submission guidelines, please visit the link below. The next manuscript submission deadline is coming up quick, so make sure to submit soon! Did you know? Submitting an article to the NSWOC Advance is also eligible for Continuous Learning (CL) hours towards your WOCC(C) Recertification! Manuscript articles or papers count for up to 15 CL hours. So, what are you waiting for? Submit your manuscript today and have your work shared and recognized across Canada!

We are writing to bring your attention to an issue that has recently come to our notice and requires your support and input. It has come to our attention that Canadians who have undergone continent reservoir surgery, such as the Koch Pouch procedure, are currently facing challenges in accessing the catheters they require for their post-surgery needs. Ensuring that this patient population has reliable access to these essential catheters is a priority for NSWOCC. To address this issue effectively, we need to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation across Canada. Specifically, we are seeking to determine how many individuals have undergone continent reservoir surgery and now require intermittent intubation with large bore silicone catheters (ranging from 26 to 30 Fr and spanning multiple brands) for evacuation. This is where we need your assistance. We kindly request that you share any information you may have regarding the number of patients in each province and territory across Canada who have had continent reservoir surgery and currently require these catheters. Your input is invaluable in helping us develop a business case to improve the accessibility of these vital catheters throughout Canada. By working together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who rely on these supplies. Please provide any insight to office@nswoc.ca. If you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We appreciate your support and collaboration in addressing this important issue. Together, we can ensure that Canadians who have had continent reservoir surgery receive the care and supplies they need.

We are writing to address the proper use of designations and credentials within NSWOCC, and namely for those NSWOCs who might also be using the WOCN® trademarked acronym via the WOCN® Society in the USA. We have received a letter from the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®) regarding the improper usage of the term "WOCN," and we kindly ask for your attention and cooperation in this matter. Here is an excerpt from the letter from the WOCN Board of Directors: "It has come to our attention that individuals and organizations throughout our industry have been improperly using the term “WOCN”. WOCN® is a trademarked acronym abbreviated for the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®). The most common issue is individuals referring to themselves as a “WOCN®”. The acronym should never be used as a nursing credential. If the individual is not certified, they should refer to themselves as a WOC nurse, wound nurse, ostomy nurse, continence nurse." We urge all NSWOCC Members who might use the WOCN® acronym to adhere to the guidelines provided by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ to ensure that the term "WOCN®" is used correctly in relation to their brand. For all NSWOCs, we have included information from a recent blog post that outlines the correct way to refer to and/or write your NSWOC designation and WOCC(C) credential. The appropriate usage of the Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Canada association name, designation, and certification credential is crucial for maintaining brand recognition and clarity of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification. This supports a consistent identity for the association and its members and upholds the integrity of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute. Please find the relevant information below: Correct Usage of “NSWOCC”, the NSWOC Designation and WOCC(C) Credential: The Association (NSWOCC®): The acronym NSWOCC® stands for Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Canada. It should not be used as a name, credential, certification, or position title for any individual or group. Pronounce NSWOCC either with emphasis on each letter or as "ENSWOK Canada." The Individual (NSWOC®): Only registered nurses who have completed a recognized wound, ostomy, and continence education program can use the designation NSWOC®. This designation is protected by a registered trademark. When using the NSWOC designation, clarify that you are a "Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence." The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute: Graduates of the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute's NSWOC Program (formerly WOC-EP Program) may use the NSWOC designation. The WOC-EP acronym is not to be used as a designation. CNA Certification (WOCC(C)): Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence are the only eligible candidates for the CNA certification exam in wound, ostomy, and continence care. The CNA holds the rights to the WOCC(C) and PSCC(C) credentials. Use of Designations and Credentials: NSWOCC suggests that designations and credentials appear after the individual's name, with or without a comma and a single space after each designation. NSWOC comes after educational degrees, professional designations, and credentials, but before CNA credentials. Both the NSWOC designation and WOCC(C) credential can be used together by certified nurses. Examples of Correct Designation and Credential Utilization: Susan Jones, RN, MN, BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Susan Jones, PhD, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Susan Jones, RN, BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Susan Jones, BScN, RN, NSWOC Note: It is incorrect to place a "(C)" after NSWOC. The correct format is WOCC(C). For a comprehensive understanding, read the complete Designation and Credential Position Statement for Nurses Specialized inWound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) here. Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Designation: Similar to the NSWOC Designation, NSWOCC suggests that the SWAN designation appear after the individual's name, with or without a comma and a single space after each designation. SWAN comes after educational degrees, professional designations, and credentials. Examples of Correct Designation and Credential Utilization: Susan Jones, RPN, SWAN Susan Jones, LPN, SWAN We appreciate your attention to this matter and your dedication to maintaining the high standards and reputation of the NSWOC & SWAN professions. Your commitment to accuracy and professionalism is integral to upholding the credibility and distinction of the NSWOCC brand. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at office@nswoc.ca.

As wildfires continue to spread across the Northwest Territories, we are reaching out to express our deep concern and heartfelt support for all those affected by this ongoing crisis. The situation has escalated to the point where an evacuation order has been issued for several communities, including Yellowknife and surrounding areas. Our thoughts are particularly with our NSWOCC Members residing in these regions. The news of Yellowknife's evacuation is both distressing and a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of such disasters. We want you to know that you are not alone during these challenging times. The Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) stands in solidarity with the residents of the Northwest Territories and our valued NSWOCC Members. We are incredibly proud of the resilience and strength demonstrated by our nursing community in the face of adversity. On behalf of the NSWOCC Board of Directors and Bev Smith, RN, BScN, NSWOC, Regional Director for the Prairies, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, we want to assure you that our thoughts are with each and every one of you. We understand the fear and uncertainty that this situation brings, and we are keeping you in our hearts. We extend our gratitude to the first responders, healthcare professionals, and all those working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the wildfires. Your dedication and courage are truly inspiring. In these trying times, let us lean on each other for strength and support. We will get through this together. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you all. With heartfelt wishes for safety and strength, NSWOCC Board of Directors

On June 1, 2023, 95 patients, health care administration, government and academic decision makers, senior nurses from acute care, community and continuing care, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs), and industry came together to address the access to specialized wound, ostomy, and continence care in New Brunswick beginning with these four priorities: Funding for more specialized wound, ostomy, and continence nursing positions across the continuum of care so that the transition for the patient is seamless moving from hospital to community. There are no existing formal Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOC) positions in New Brunswick in home care or long-term care. NSWOCs provide thorough assessments, select appropriate products and technologies, and monitor the patient as they move through the system. This provides patient-centred care, optimal clinical outcomes and is shown to save money across the overall provincial health care system. Ensure the appropriate distribution of NSWOCs based on the patient population in each health region. There is a critical imbalance in the number of NSWOCs between Vitalité and Horizon Health Networks and within the Horizon Health Network itself. It is disproportionate to the number of wound/ostomy consults. The number of wound consults has increased by over 200% in some areas of New Brunswick. Provide immediate public coverage for essential ostomy supplies to the 4,570 people living with an ostomy, meeting this basic human right of elimination for all New Brunswickers. New Brunswick lags other provinces in providing a well thought out and sustainable plan for ostomy reimbursement. People living with an ostomy in New Brunswick earning over $25,000 per annum should not be expected to pay out of pocket. Individuals should not choose between putting food on the table or essential ostomy supplies for this medically necessary bodily action. Together we have launched an educational strategy to improve wound care knowledge by providing a foundational program for nurses in the Province of New Brunswick. To support this initiative, NSWOCC has provided 30 complimentary educational seats to nurses in New Brunswick to the NSWOCC WOC Institute’s foundational wound management program, part of the practice enrichment series, to enhance knowledge, skills, and judgment of nurses in the province caring for patients with wounds. We invite you to access the meeting proceedings and to share this report with your colleagues. About the Wound Management Course offered by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute The Wound Management Course is a six-week, paced, online course that's accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). The learning outcomes of the course are to: Increase your knowledge related to evidence-based wound care Improve your ability to advocate for patients with wound related issues Enhance your ability to collaborate with wound care specialists Course registrants also get access to virtual mentorship and knowledge consolidation opportunities with our team of CNA certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOCs). Learn more at https://www.wocinstitute.ca/pes-woc

A System Under Strain Every year, Canada’s provincial and territorial governments spend more than $250 billion in total on health care (Canadian Institute for Health Information [CIHI], 2018). In the next decade as the country’s population ages, that spending is only going to increase. Longer life expectancies and declining fertility rates are contributing to an overall older demographic (World Health Organization, 2015). Economic models predict that healthcare costs will rise by 1% each year between 2010 and 2036 due to population aging alone (Mackenzie & Rachlis, 2010). So, how can we achieve a sustainable healthcare system? Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence can Help Registered Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs) can help alleviate the financial strain facing administrators and policymakers through the provision of higher quality care, reduced costs and improved outcomes for patients. In our previous article, we focused on how the high-quality care provided by NSWOCs improves outcomes for patients, care providers, and the healthcare industry as a whole. Today, we will be exploring how NSWOCs can help reduce healthcare costs across the country. NSWOCs Lower Healthcare Costs Controlling costs is critical across every facet of the healthcare system. The growing prevalence of wounds and high expenditure for wound management across all healthcare settings have made wound care a particular budgetary focus in Canada and around the world. NSWOCs are trained to assess and treat many types of complex wounds with evidence-based strategies that can help prevent complications. NSWOCs Lower Healthcare Costs By: For a More Sustainable System Ultimately, with a tri-specialization in wound, ostomy and continence, NSWOCs are helping address the challenges facing Canada’s healthcare system. Employing NSWOCs is an effective strategy for controlling costs through high-quality, evidence-based care that leads to better outcomes for patients. NSWOCs bring about these benefits as care providers but also as sources of specialized knowledge for interdisciplinary healthcare teams, care consultants to other health professionals, as well as through best practice and protocol development, research and other avenues. To learn more about the power of NSWOCs, visit the link below and stay tuned for our next article exploring how NSWOCs lead to better health outcomes for patients across Canada!

NSWOCC Membership Core Program Leader, Shelly Barnes, RN, BN, NSWOC, WOCC (C), interview with WOC Institute Academic Chair, Kimberly LeBlanc, PhD, RN, NSWOC, WOCC (C), FCAN In June 2023, NSWOCC's Membership Core Program leader, Shelly Barnes, RN, BN, NSWOC, WOCC (C), interviewed our WOC Institute Academic Chair, Kimberly LeBlanc, PhD, RN, NSWOC, WOCC (C), FCAN on everything you need to know about the WOC Institute's Preceptorship Program. The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute NSWOC Program (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Program) includes 225 hours of clinical preceptorship. Students consider this the highlight of the program and a highly valuable learning experience. This preceptorship experience ensures that program graduates can apply their theoretical knowledge in divers clinical setting. The preceptorship experience ensures that program graduates have the knowledge, skill and judgment to care for patients or clients in the many diverse settings encountered by a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence. Watch this brief interview to get answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the preceptorship program, including how to become a preceptor and some important words of wisdom. Listen to the Interview Read the Transcript Shelly Barnes 0:00 Hi welcome everyone. My name is Shelley Barnes and I'm a nurse specialize in wound ostomy and continence working in Victoria BC. And today, we're lucky to have Dr. Kim LeBlanc, who is the academic chair for the wound ostomy and continence Institute joining us to talk about preceptorship. So Kim, the Institute offers many different programs do they all have a preceptorship component? Dr. Kim LeBlanc 0:30 Thanks, Shelly. That's actually a really great question. They don't all have a formal preceptorship, so we start with our flagship courses, which is the Nurses Specialized in Wound Ostomy and Continence course, and our Skin Wellness Associate Nurse course, they both have formal preceptorship components. For the NSWOC course (or the Nurses Specialized Wound Ostomy and Continence course) they actually have a formal extensive preceptorship for each course for wound, ostomy, and continence of 75 to 90 hours of hands-on time, per course. So, it's a very intensive experience where they are one on one with a preceptor and for the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse Course (or SWAN program) we have what they call a self-directed preceptorship. What that means is that students actually seek out certain types of patients and cases within their own work environment and they work through that case under the mentorship of a CNA certified NSWOC. So, it's a little bit of a different perspective and the reason as to why right now we actually haven't expanded our preceptorship programs, is because of the availability of preceptors. That's one of the problems that we're having. Shelly Barnes 1:53 So, what about the debridement program, Is there a preceptorship associated with that one? Dr. Kim LeBlanc 2:01 So that's another great question. Because we get asked that a lot, why don't we have hands on component to the debridement course. There's two problems actually, availability of preceptorships, and liability insurance. So we have to look at things from a two prong perspective, when we're placing students we actually have multiple layers that we have to go through to place a student, from registering them with HSPnet, to getting liability insurance, to getting affiliation agreements with the facilities where they're going to actually be doing their preceptorship and mentorship component. So there's a lot of behind the scenes activities that go on, and then from the reverse of that, as well, is that where we have students from across the country, taking the debridement course, finding qualified sites is also an issue. So what we've done is that we've provided students with this strong foundation, a theoretical foundation, so that from a liability standpoint, they can prove that they have the theoretical knowledge. So, we're looking at knowledge, skills and practice in terms of being able to perform a nursing skill they can show that they have the knowledge and then we encourage them within their own workplaces to find that mentor, that they're able to get that mentorship component in. Preceptorship is very complex, and many students don't understand why we can't just arrange placements for people and from a legal standpoint, there's a lot of layers we have to go to in order to be able to place students. Shelly Barnes 3:49 Thanks, Kim. That leads me to another question. Do learners find their own preceptor? Is it up to the learner to to get that that sorted out? Dr. Kim LeBlanc 4:03 So, that's a question we get asked a lot and it's actually a collaborative process and one of the issues is how preceptors can be approached actually differs from province to province. different provinces have different rules and there's normally a standard intake such as HSPnet, where we have to put students through a process clearance process. So, in some provinces the students are able to contact their preceptors, and find out their availability, and then they come to us, and they would say, "I would like to do my preceptorship with Kim LeBlanc in her clinic in Ottawa", not a problem and we can do that. Versus if I wanted to place someone with an NSWOC In Alberta, the student is not allowed to actually approach the preceptor, they have to come to us and say, "I would like to do my preceptorship with Nancy nurse at the foothills hospital", and then we have to then turn around and go and contact that nurse at the foothills hospital and say, Are you available on these dates? are you willing on these dates? then we have to go back to the provincial body, and say, We would like to put this student through at this date. And here's all of our agreements and our insurance papers. So, it really differs from province to province, which is why each student is assigned a preceptor coordinator that they work from the time they enter into the program, they'll work collaboratively with them, to find that right fit between their preceptor and themselves, and to let them know what the rules are in their province. And in some cases, it's actually not just in the province, it's in their city, it's in their hospital. So, we know the rules. So, this is why we have to collaborate and sometimes students will come to me and say, "well, you know, I'm friends with Nancy, and she took me in, and you know, I did my whole preceptorship with her", and they'll get really upset when I say, "Well, I'm sorry, it can't count, because we didn't have clearance for you to go in, we didn't have an affiliation agreement, and we didn't have insurance, so I cannot count your preceptorship". And they'll get very upset with me. But, this is why we have these rules in place to have that collaborative approach. And to make sure the students are protected, the preceptors are protected, and all the rules are being followed. Shelly Barnes 6:23 That's very helpful to know, Kim. Thank you. So, there are rules about preceptorship. I'm wondering about actually becoming a preceptor. I know you've precepted in the past, who can be a preceptor and is there a process to apply. Dr. Kim LeBlanc 6:40 So, we welcome preceptors, were begging for preceptors. So, in order to be a preceptor, you have to have two years of experience in your field. You do not have to be an NSWOC to be a preceptor, we encourage students to be with NSWOCs. But we also encourage students to spend some of their preceptor time with other healthcare professionals as well. So for instance, if you're doing your continence preceptorship, -...- that's a great experience or with a urologist or with a nurse continence advisor. So, there's different ways that we could bring someone forward. Or for instance, if you're doing your wound preceptorship. And you have the opportunity to spend time in Dr. Gary Sibbald clinic per se, you know, that's a great experience. So there's many different people who can be preceptors. So, you just have to have two years of experience in the field and there is an application online. So, you can go to the www.NSWOC.ca website, which will bring you to the link to the WOC Institute, or you can go to www.WOCinstitute.ca to potential preceptors. And there's a form that gets filled out online that goes to Nicole Denis, who is our preceptor coordinator and certainly if you have any questions, you can either email Nicole Denis, which is ndenis@wocinstitute.ca, or myself, chair@wocinstitute.ca. And we'd be more than happy to answer any questions that a potential preceptor might have, it's such a rewarding and rich experience to be a preceptor, the form is very quick to to fill out and as soon as we know that you're willing and able, we add you to our list, and then you can be paired up with students. Shelly Barnes 8:33 Sounds great. Thank you. I know you're busy. One final little question, from your experience do you have any tips about what kind of preceptorship to search out? Or should one stay within the program and the area they work in? Or is there value to branching out? What what do you think? Dr. Kim LeBlanc 8:57 Such a great question. A lot of that comes down to what kind of experiences you're looking for, and sometimes it's practical reason, sometimes especially now, post pandemic, a lot of nurses can't get a lot of extra time off. So it may be easiest for them to do their preceptorship in their own work environment, which there's nothing wrong with. I'm a believer, though that we should try to push ourselves constantly and we should look for those added experiences. So, I won't say how many years ago, but when I did my preceptorships I really branched out, I did some at a children's hospital, I did any clinic I could get into, I tried to have as many different experiences as I could. So that when I went back to my place of work, I came with a new perspective and a broader view of things. And, you know, every healthcare professional you work with is going to approach things in different ways. So, it's really great to have all that different experience that you can then carry forward with you. And, you know, some people have the opportunity, they can actually do their preceptorships in different provinces and that's another unique perspective, because then you get to see how things are done in different provinces. But, I will caution that if you do that, you have to remember that you have to follow by the local policies and procedures in your own province. So, we've had cases where nurses have come from BC to Ontario, the scope of practice for nurses in Ontario is much broader and we can do a lot more especially around debridement, than you can in BC. So in BC, there's a course you have to take, there's different policies in place, and things are very strict and in Ontario, we're given a lot more flexibility. So I think it's so important that you do know your local policies, procedures, and regulatory body. But, the more experiences you can get, the better. You also have to be realistic and, you know, we have some poor nurses who have been struggling to get those preceptorship hours in, not because they don't want to, but because they just can't get the time off work to do it and that's the reality we're working with right now. But, I would like to finish by saying that being a preceptor is such a rich and rewarding experience. I love working with the students when they come into my clinic or they come follow me in my wound care rounds. It's actually a thrill and it pushes me to make sure that I'm up to date. Shelly Barnes 11:42 I enjoy having students around as well. They really do bring us back to why we do what we do in our best practice. One more time, where can we find out more about preceptorship if we're looking at our program? Dr. Kim LeBlanc 12:00 So, if you want to look at our preceptorship programs, you can reach us through several different avenues. The easiest is WOCinstitute.ca and go to potential preceptors. You can also link to the site from the NSWOC.ca website. You can also email me directly chair@wocinstitute.ca or Nicole Denis, so ndenis@wocinstitute.ca. We welcome any questions you may have and Shelly, thank you so much for having me on today. Shelly Barnes 12:34 Thanks for your time, Kim. We really appreciate it. Learn more about the WOC Institute Preceptorship Program