Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute (WOC Institute)
About the Institute
The Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute is wholly owned and operated by the association of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®). Our tri-specialty of wound, ostomy and continence nursing is unique, and we strive to improve the lives of those patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence.
The WOC Institute also strives to support those who have chosen this dynamic and evolving field by providing nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals with comprehensive online education programs and skills-based training in wound, ostomy and continence care, given them with the tools necessary to progress their nursing careers and become an essential part of Canada’s healthcare system.
The WOC Institute’s flagship program is the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Program (WOC-EP) for baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurses. The WOC-EP is the only program in Canada whose graduates become Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®), and are able to write the CNA certification exam for Wound, Ostomy and Continence.
The WOC Institute’s educational programs are delivered by a team of highly knowledgeable and dedicated nurse leaders who are Canadian Association of Nurses (CNA) certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence.
Educational Programs
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Program (WOC-EP™)
The NSWOC® graduate leads Wound, Ostomy and Continence teams, including SWAN™ and Skin Health graduates and has the knowledge, skills and judgment to manage complex patient issues in the areas of Wounds, Ostomy and Continence.
The WOC-Institute’s flagship program is our Wound Ostomy and Continence Education Program (WOC-EP). The WOC-EP is a state of the art, paced, 12-month, online program which prepares BN/BScN’s for the role of a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC). RN applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in another area are eligible to apply for the program. 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 WOC-EP is a competency and standards of practice guided, rigorous program, aimed at ensuring the high quality of its graduates. Through the CANMeds styled, competency-based preceptorship component of the program, the WOC-EP strives to mentor and grow tomorrow’s 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.
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 deliverers of care but also as sources of specialized knowledge for interdisciplinary health care teams, best practice and protocol development, research, and other avenues. The NSWOC graduate leads Wound, Ostomy and Continence teams, including SWAN and Skin Health graduates and has the knowledge, skills, and judgement to manage complex patient issues in the areas of Wounds, Ostomy and Continence.
Program Overview
Ostomy Management
16 Weeks + 2 Weeks of 75 hours of Preceptorship
Evaluation of Theory (80%):
Introductory Assignment (5%)
Individual Assignments (45%)
Discussion Forums (20%)
Final Exam (10%)
Evaluation of the Preceptorship (20%):
Competency based clinical placement (20%)
Continence Management
16 Weeks + 2 Weeks of 75 hours of Preceptorship
Evaluation of Theory (80%):
Individual Assignments (44%)
Discussion Forums (26%)
Final Exam (10%)
Evaluation of the Preceptorship (20%):
Competency based clinical placement (20%)
Wound Management
16 Weeks + 2 Weeks of 75 hours of Preceptorship
Evaluation of Theory (80%):
Individual Assignments (60%)
Discussion Forums (10%)
Final Exam (10%)
Evaluation of the Preceptorship (20%):
Competency based clinical placement (20%)
Skin Wellness Associate (SWAN™) Program
Become a wound, ostomy and continence champion and nurse leader. Advance your knowledge by becoming a SWAN™
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.
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.
Program Outline
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5-month, competency and standards of practice-based:
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3 sections (wound, ostomy & continence)
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26 paced, online modules
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Self-directed clinical preceptorship
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Ongoing mentorship with CNA certified NSWOCs
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Individualized support from an Academic Advisor
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Bi-weekly interactive learning sessions
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Program Overview
Ostomy Management
5 Weeks + Clinical Assignment
Evaluation of Theory (80%):
Individual Assignments (70%)
Final Exam (10%)
Evaluation of the Preceptorship (20%):
Self-Directed Clinical Assignment with NSWOC Mentor (20%)
Continence Management
5 Weeks + Clinical Assignment
Evaluation of Theory (80%):
Individual Assignments (70%)
Final Exam (10%)
Evaluation of the Preceptorship (20%):
Self-Directed Clinical Assignment with NSWOC Mentor (20%)
Wound Management
5 Weeks + Clinical Assignment
Evaluation of Theory (80%):
Individual Assignments (70%)
Final Exam (10%)
Evaluation of the Preceptorship (20%):
Self-Directed Clinical Assignment with NSWOC Mentor (20%)
Industry Skin Wellness Associate (ISWA) Program
Are you:
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an industry marketing or sales representative interested in becoming a more effective resource for healthcare professionals?
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a sales/clinical training manager who wants to provide an education program to strengthen the knowledge of your sales team?
Program Design
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Designed specifically for industry sales and marketing representatives who want to strengthen their ability to collaborate with healthcare professionals and to achieve the new gold standard for industry education in wound, ostomy, and continence areas,
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Paced online, 4-month education program (rolling start),
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Content includes foundational knowledge pertaining to wound, ostomy and continence,
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Assignments are aimed at enhancing skills pertaining to:
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Ethical communication
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Building collaborative relationships
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Goal setting
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Understanding the Canadian Wound, Ostomy and Continence market
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Product positioning and differentiation in the Canadian Wound, Ostomy and Continence market
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Leadership training
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Learning Outcomes
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Achieve an enhanced ability to position product portfolios from a clinical practice lens
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Provide optimal support for nurses caring for those with wound, ostomy, and / or continence issues
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Provide industry partners the advanced ability to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals and to be ambassadors for ethical partnerships with industry
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Distinguish yourself with a designation upon course completion
Program Structure
Level 1 – Clinical component
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Wound, Ostomy, Continence
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3 separate modules
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Level 2 – Advanced component
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Addresses:
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Partnerships with healthcare professionals
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Product placement
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Navigating the healthcare system
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Business plan development
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Program Guidelines
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Students must complete at least on course in Level 1 to qualify for Level 2
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Upon completion graduates will be eligible to use the ISWA designation
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Designation is dependent on the number of courses completed:
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ISWA-O (Ostomy module)
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ISWA-C (Continence module)
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ISWA-W (Wound module)
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Or a combination such as: ISWA-OC, ISWA-OCW, etc.
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Practice Enrichment Series - Wound Management
Are you a healthcare professional interested in learning more about wound care?
Enrol today in the Practice Enrichment Series – Wound Management course offered by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Institute! During this 6-week, self-pace, online program you will:
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Increase your knowledge related to evidence-based care wound care
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Improve your ability to advocate for patients with wound related issues
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Enhance your ability to collaborate with wound care specialists
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Have access to virtual mentorship and knowledge consolidation opportunities with our team of CNA certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOCs)
Program Overview
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Anatomy and Physiology of the Integumentary System
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Principles of Integumentary System Healing
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General principles of Integumentary / Wound Assessment and Management
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Wound prevention, assessment, and management
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Specific wound aetiologies (prevention, assessment, and management):
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Acute and traumatic wounds (example: skin tears, lacerations, minor burns), with a focus on post fall wound care
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Moisture associated skin damage (example: incontinence associated dermatitis, emersion foot)
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Pressure injuries
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Lower limb ulcers
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Diabetic foot ulcers
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Surgical wounds
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Skin changes at life’s end
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Wounds not healing in a predicted trajectory
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Collaborative approaches when working with interprofessional teams
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When to refer to a Wound Care Specialist
Practice Enrichment Series - Paramedics
This state-of-the-art program is designed to provide community care paramedics with the ability to provide optimal wound care in collaboration with an interprofessional team.
The Practice Enrichment Series for Paramedics is a competency-based, beginner program in wound management. The course is a state of the art, competency-based, self-paced online program facilitated by a team of CNA certified NSWOCs. Onsite programs are available upon request. Contact the NSWOC through our contact page should you be interested in accessing our onsite education delivered by specialized NSWOCs.
The topics will be taught through the eyes of a first responder through initial triage, treatment, and minimization of further damage. The goal of the program is to provide paramedics with knowledge about timely and appropriate wound intervention to positively impact patient outcomes through minimizing patient transfers to hospital and improving communications with community nurses and primary care providers.
Program Overview
COURSE DATES & LENGTH
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Self-paced, online throughout the year
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6 weeks
TOPIC COVERED
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Introduction to Wound Management: 6 modules
YOUR INVESTMENT
$600 (+ textbook)
Practice Enrichment Series - Advanced Wound Debridement Program
Are you a graduate of an advanced clinical wound program? Interested in increasing your knowledge around wound debridement?
This unique program offers healthcare practitioners the foundation to develop and enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge when managing complex, hard to heal wounds that require debridement.
Learning Outcomes
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Appraise the current evidence base for various types of debridement
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Undertake comprehensive and holistic wound assessment while considering the appropriateness of debridement for a given individual
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Appraise the current evidence for advanced techniques used in wound debridement
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Recognize and describe anatomical structures and the non-viable tissue types requiring debridement
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Discuss the ethical and legal responsibilities and implications related to debridement
Program Design
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Competency and Standards of Practice Based
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Designed by nurses for nurses, but open to all healthcare professionals
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Follows the Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada’s (NSWOCC) Canadian best practice recommendations for wound debridement
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6 weeks self-paced, online
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Rolling start, start at anytime
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Weekly mentorship rounds with an experienced Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certified Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC)
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Hands-on debridement workshop during the National NSWOCC Conference
Contact
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute
E-Mail: programmanager@wocinstitute.ca
Tel: Toll free at 1-877-614-1262