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Can you believe it? It's that time of the year again - the application window for the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification exam is now open! This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information that you need to achieve this nationally-recognized certification, and, for NSWOC students completing the program, apply to graduate. Let's get started! What is the CNA certification? The CNA certification  is a nationally recognized nursing specialty credential for nurses. Once certified, you can proudly use the credentials associated with your specialty (WOCC(C) ) after your name. As a CNA-certified nurse, you demonstrate that you "care to be the best", as certified nurses are… Recognized nationally for their practice excellence and commitment to lifelong learning Valued by employers, because their certification demonstrates specialized knowledge and brings many benefits to organizations Viewed as having enhanced professional credibility How do you achieve your initial certification? To become certified, you must pass a rigorous computer-based exam. For those aiming to write their initial certification exam this Fall, the application period is open from June 10 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. If you become certified, your credential will be valid for a five-year term. At the end of five years,  you can renew  by submitting a record of continuous learning hours or rewriting the exam. How can you prepare for the exam? Take the NSWOC Prep Course: 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 . Not a NSWOCC Member yet? Don't worry! You can easily register to become a member by clicking the link below. What else do you need to do? Don't forget! If you are an NSWOC student with a plan to complete our program this Fall, you must apply to graduate . Once you have provided proof of (CNA) WOCC(C) certification exam registration, you can submit your application to graduate using the link below. Please note graduation occurs annually during the NSWOCC Conference in May of each year. As this exam season, we want to wish all of you the best of luck in your studies. Remember, this is your time to shine and show all the hard work and dedication you've put in throughout the term. Good luck, and we’re cheering for you every step of the way!

We are happy to share that several new job postings for NSWOCs and other healthcare positions have now been posted on our website. These postings range in terms of roles and locations across Canada. If you are looking for the next big step in your career, then make sure to visit our jobs page to see what positions are open near you! New postings include… Registered Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care Dufferin Area Family Health Team Orangeville, ON, Canada Business Development Coordinator Kane Biotech Canada Registered Nurse Niagara Health Clinical Practice Consultant – Wound, Ostomy & Continence (WOC) Permanent, Interior Health Cranbrook, BC, Canada Want to post healthcare job on the NSWOCC website? Please submit the form below!

On June 7, 2024, over 100 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 Ontario in order to: provide the current status on best practices in wound, ostomy and continence within the Province of Ontario; evaluate a patient’s experience living with an ostomy in the Province of Ontario; determine the economic burden for people living with an ostomy through the review of the ostomy impact study; discuss the delivery of quality care supporting a positive patient experience in the Ontario home care setting; and discuss interprofessional wound, ostomy, and continence innovation in the Province of Ontario. This proceedings report summarizes the state of wound, ostomy, and continence care across Ontario. It emphasizes the need for access to specialized, interprofessional, and collaborative care. As Ontarians, we must advocate together for improvements in care and how health care dollars are spent to reduce the patient and economic burden. We invite you to access the meeting proceedings and to share this report with your colleagues.

Ottawa, July 18, 2024 – We are pleased to announce that Mr. Jonathan Mancor of Ottawa, Ontario has filled the position of the NSWOCC Executive Assistant. Jonathan  graduated from John Abbott College in Montreal with a diploma in Graphic and Web Design. He then went on to attend Algonquin College where he graduated in Internet Applications and Web Development. He is currently completing a bachelor of science in computing and information systems at Athabasca University. Jonathan has experience working in marketing within the healthcare sector. He previously worked for Orleans Family Health Clinic where he worked with pharmacists and healthcare professionals. He has also held a marketing role with Jean Coutu Pharmacy in Ottawa. Most recently, Jonathan worked in marketing for Kardish Health Food where he was responsible for campaigns relating to health food. Jonathan will report to the NSWOCC CEO Catherine Harley and he will work with with Catherine, Troy Curtis, the Director of Operations for NSWOCC, and Kimberly LeBlanc, the WOC Institute Chair to support NSWOCC initiatives. We look forward to having Jonathan as a part of the NSWOCC team where he will apply his knowledge and skill set to advancing the NSWOCC and the specialized nurses that we serve. Please join us in welcoming Jonathan to NSWOCC! About NSWOCC and the WOC Institute Nurses Specializing in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) is a registered charity association for over 700 nurses specializing in the nursing care of patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence. The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute is wholly owned and operated by the NSWOCC. For more information, please visit www.nswoc.ca and www.wocinstitute.ca or email office@nswoc.ca.

In collaboration with the UK-based Society of Tissue Viability, we are proud to announce the publication of a brand new article:  The development of international Wound Debridement Best Practice Recommendations: Consensus between Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada and the Society of Tissue Viability. Through the efforts of a working group brought together between The Society of Tissue Viability and NSWOCC with The NSWOCC Canadian Debridement Best Practices Recommendations document as our guide, this article serves as a comprehensive resource on all types of debridement. For Tissue Viability Nurses, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOCs), Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners with a foundation in wound care, and SWANs with a foundation in wound care, this article is for you! Let’s learn more about it below: Abstract Debridement is an important component of wound management and can improve outcomes for patients. Debridement needs to be done by an appropriately trained health professional, but the scope of practice, credentials, training, competencies, and regulatory requirements regarding wound debridement can differ. Best Practice Recommendations were created to positively influence patient safety related to all methods of debridement, across the continuum of care, and to be implemented widely by nurses at all professional levels in Canada. Article Highlights Wound debridement, when carried out by a trained and competent healthcare professional, can improve wound healing and patient outcomes. Best practice recommendations for wound debridement were created for nurses in Canada. Delphi methods were used to develop 15 consensus statements, so they are standardised and relevant on an international level, for all healthcare professionals who perform wound debridement. To read the full article and learn more about this important topic, simply visit the link below. Happy reading!

We are pleased to announce a significant development regarding the availability of specialized Medina Catheters (curved and straight) for people living with a Kock Pouch in Canada. Over the past eight months, we have been in discussions with Health Canada to address the lack of these essential supplies since the previous supplier's acquisition by a Swedish company. Today, we had a successful meeting with Health Canada and have identified a solution that allows Canadians with a Kock Pouch to access these specialized catheters without needing to order from the USA or Europe. To inform you about how to access these catheters, we will be holding several information sessions. The dates and times for these sessions are as follows: July 29 at 7 PM EDT/4 PM PDT: RSVP on Zoom August 1 at 7 PM EDT/4 PM PDT: RSVP on Zoom August 8 at 7 PM EDT/4 PM PDT: RSVP on Zoom September 4 at 7 PM EDT/4 PM PDT: RSVP on Zoom If you are interested in attending one of these information sessions, please RSVP on Zoom using the provided links. Warm regards, Cathy Harley (she/her) Chief Executive Officer Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC)

The NSWOCC Board of Directors is seeking a Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) interested in raising awareness of the SWAN role and building the SWAN Community of Practice. The primary focus is to advance the profession of SWANs across Canada. This community aims to bring SWANs together to discuss the SWAN role, identify areas requiring advocacy, and create opportunities for SWANs to enhance their knowledge and skills, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain an understanding of governance. Objectives: Unite SWANs in a community of practice to identify issues and advocate for change. Identify opportunities for SWAN Associates in wound, ostomy, and continence care, develop supporting projects, and implement them. Provide a forum to develop strategies for promoting the SWAN role, raising awareness, and demonstrating the value of SWANs in the Canadian healthcare system. Responsibilities to the Board: Attend fall annual face-to-face board meetings as a non-voting participant. Report to the board and membership on the activities of the SWAN Community of Practice through annual and mid-year written reports. Follow direction from the Board of Directors to develop and implement projects based on the current Strategic and Operational plans. Responsibilities to the Core Program: Provide leadership for the SWAN Community of Practice by organizing monthly meetings (except in July and August) and setting project goals and timelines. Establish annual core program goals, objectives, and timelines as directed by the NSWOCC Board of Directors. Recruit interested NSWOCC SWAN Associates to form project teams addressing specific deliverables. Match volunteers to appropriate portfolios/projects. Monitor progress towards identified goals and objectives. Maintain communication between the SWAN Community of Practice and the board. Collaborate with the Board to develop and maintain a succession planning process for the core program leader to ensure smooth transitions and continuation of ongoing projects. Qualifications: RPN/LPN or Diploma RN Graduate of the NSWOCC Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program Active NSWOCC Associate in good standing Term: 2-year term with the option of a second, 2-year term. Application Process: If you are interested in applying for the SWAN Community of Practice Leader position, please send an email with an expression of interest and a copy of your resume to office@nswoc.ca. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 5, 2024. For further information on this leadership role, please email the NSWOCC CEO Catherine Harley at office@nswoc.ca.

June 17-23 2024 is World Continence Week (WCW)! WCW is an annual initiative devised and managed by WFIPP (World Federation for Incontinence and Pelvic Problems), with the endorsement and support of the International Continence Society (ICS), European Association of Urology(EAU) and the Ibero-American Society of Neurourology and Urogynaecology (SINUG). It is a global initiative intended to raise awareness of bladder & bowel issues, chronic pelvic pain and other debilitating conditions which impact greatly on the lives of patients, families and carers. The main themes for 2024 are Shared Decision Making, Incontinence and Mental Health and Commitment to Collaboration in Continence Care (the 4 C’s Project). The objective of WCW is to raise global awareness of such conditions and help remove stigmas and taboos via events, publications, press releases and more. In so doing, WFIPP aims to provide a reliable and easily accessible forum for those seeking information – patients, families, carers, healthcare professionals, institutions (scientific and academic), industry, and patient advisory groups around the world. To learn more, help share the message of WCW, and get involved, please visit the link below! #commitmenttocollaborationincontinencecare #WCW2024 #continencematters #supportincontinence

We are pleased to share our Executive Board and Board Directors for the upcoming term! Congratulations to those who have been elected. Let's learn more about our Executive board and Board Directors below! Meet our Executive Board NEW President: Corey Heerschap, MScCH(WPC), BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), IIWCC Corey Heerschap, MScCH (WPC), BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), IIWCC is the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Wound and Ostomy at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario. Corey has been working in the wound care field since he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Laurentian University in 2012. NEW President-Elect: Bev Smith RN, BScN, NSWOC Bev Smith was born and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia where her Indigenous Ancestors from the Miꞌkmaq First Nations of Potlotek, Cape Breton settled in the early 1900’s. After graduating high school, Bev moved to Edmonton and completed her BScN at the University of Alberta. After working in acute care for several years, an opportunity to work alongside the hospital’s only NSWOC presented itself and Bev was excited to take on the new challenge. Bev enrolled in the then CAET wound, ostomy and continence education program and graduated as a NSWOC in 2008. NEW Secretary: Roxie Demers RN, BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) My name is Roxie Demers. I am a Registered Nurse with the designation of Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence and I am employed by SE Health in Hamilton. I have worked there for two and a half years. Before SE Health I worked at a regional hospital as a Skin and Wound Nurse. I completed my IIWCC in 2018 and decided to continue my education and acquire my NSWOC certification in 2020. I am Wound, Ostomy and Continence certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Treasurer: Misty Stephens RN, MClSc(WH), BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Misty Stephens started her career as an ICU trauma nurse and then transitioned into being an NSWOC in 2013. Since then she has been working in acute care as the certified NSWOC. She is the chair of BC provincial skin and wound committee and value analysis teams. Misty is the regional NSWOC BC / Yukon director. Past President: Marcia Leard RN, BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Marcia Leard is a native of Prince Edward Island and has been the NSWOC at the Prince County Hospital in Summerside, PE since 2003. She graduated from the A J McMaster School of Nursing in Moncton NB in 1989 and completed her Bachelors Degree in Nursing Science at Brandon University in 1995. Marcia has experienced a diverse career including positions in emergency, obstetrics, med- surg, peds and nursing station relief in northwestern Ontario, but was thrilled to return home in 2001 and work in her home town. Chief Executive Officer: Catherine Harley (she/her) RN, eMBA, IIWCC Catherine has served as the Executive Director for Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Canada (NSWOCC) for the past 12 years and was also the first Executive Director for the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) for 5 years. Past experience includes serving as the Director of Global Strategic Marketing, Wound Care Core Business for ConvaTec division of Bristol-Myers Squibb in Skillman, New Jersey and Business Unit Manager for Wound and Skin Care based in Montreal Quebec prior to that. Meet our Board Directors BC & Yukon: Rochelle De Clerk BScN, NSWOC Rochelle De Clerk's love for wound care began in nursing school at Trent University in Ontario. It was during her 2nd year practicum that she realized wound care really interested her. Rochelle moved to BC during her 4th year of nursing and began her career as a Registered Nurse in Richmond Hospital in 2009. She has worked in a few different fields of nursing including Cardiac, Medical, and Surgical. Her passion for wound care really began when she became a Community Care Nurse in Salmon Arm, B.C. in 2012. NEW Prairies, NWT and Nunavut: Angela Koziak RN, BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) My name is Angela Koziak and I have lived in Alberta my entire life. I live in Beaumont with my spouse Mark, my kids Noah (16), and Kailey (7). My stepson Castin (20) lives on his own now. I graduated from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta in 2004. As a student I worked in long term care. After graduation I worked in medicine and ICU. After having my son, I became a Case Manager in Supportive Living. Soon after, I met Bev Smith who inspired in me a fascination with wound care, encouraged me to join the direct nursing team and to take the NSWOC program. NEW Ontario: Joshua Moralejo RN, BScN, MScCH: WPC, NSWOC, WOCC(C), IIWCC Joshua is a Registered Nurse who has developed a passion for wound and ostomy care. He completed the CAWC Levels 1-3 Series (2011), the IIWCC (2014), Advanced Ostomy Care and Management (2016) and the Master of Science in Community Health – Wound Prevention and Care (2020) at the University of Toronto, and the NSWOC Program at the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute (2023). In 2023, he received the Canadian Nurses Association Certification in Wound, Ostomy & Continence. Quebec: Audray Lafortune Bsc., infirmière clinicienne, stomothérapeute, PSCC(C) My name is Audray Lafortune. I’ve been an RN since 2010 and a NSWOC since 2018. I started my career, as many people do, working in the hospital on various medical floors. It was the switch to home care that led me to discover my interest in wound care. A switch in employment, landed me a remplacement on the NSWOC team and from there I discovered a passion. For many the work of the NSWOC team is mostly unknown, but I discovered a field of great autonomy, highly competent nurses and daily challenges to make patients' lives better. NEW Atlantic: Denise Nicholson RN, BN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) My passion for wound care started early in my over 20-year nursing career when I worked on a surgical unit in Fredericton, NB. I also remember my first ostomy patient. He was a quadriplegic, and I was able to see how greatly his ostomy improved his quality of life. Then military life took my family and I to ON where I began working for an agency with an ET. I learned about the role and its value and my interest in ostomy and wound care further grew. Little did I know that soon after I would have someone dear to me need an ostomy. NEW SWAN: Sharon Hunter RPN, IIWCC, SWAN Bio coming soon!

Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) proudly announces the election of Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc PhD, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), FCAN as the new President of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), effective June 13, 2024. Dr. LeBlanc, currently serving as the Academic Chair of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role. As an esteemed representative of NSWOCC and specialized nurses nationwide, Dr. LeBlanc’s presidency at CNA from 2024 to 2026 is set to champion the interests of nurses across Canada. Dr. LeBlanc succeeds Dr. Sylvain Brousseau, RN, PhD, FFNMRCSI, FAA, whom NSWOCC acknowledges for his exemplary service as CNA President from 2022 to 2024. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. LeBlanc on this well-deserved achievement. Her tenure as President marks a significant milestone for specialized nursing in Canada, and we look forward to her advocacy and leadership.

In recognition of June being National Indigenous History Month, we encourage and challenge all NSWOCC Members to complete the free online Indigenous Canada Course offered by the University of Alberta. Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. For those who wish to receive a certificate upon completion, they are also available to purchase.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada. Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) is privileged to work closely alongside our Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Core Program to help improve the lives of Indigenous People in the areas of wound, ostomy and continence care. As we reflect and honour the past of Indigenous people in Canada, we are also committed to working towards a better future in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. We invite you to visit our Sharing Circle website at www.sharingcircle.online for resources and tools related to wound, ostomy and continence health care for Indigenous People. #NIHM2024