President's Message

As we head into fall, we know that some of you may still be facing challenges in keeping your certification due to COVID. Whether your workload has increased, or you or a loved one contracted COVID, we want to assist you in keeping your certification during this difficult time. Please see below for information on applying for a credential extension and other options that can help you stay certified.  

Our Public Policy & Advocacy Committee has been very active this summer. The Committee brought a request to the WOCNCB Board of Directors to endorse a white paper on access to ostomy supplies spearheaded by American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) with assistance from the WOCN Society, United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), and United Spinal Association. The WOCNCB Board of Directors voted to endorse the paper in July.

WOCNCB’s Public Member, Jeanine Gleba, who is the Board Liaison to the Public Policy & Advocacy Committee, brought the updated Ostomy Patient Bill of Rights to the Committee, which sent it to the Board with a request to endorse this important document.  See below for more details including how to get materials for your patients.  

WOCNCB is starting to hold some in person meetings for the Board of Directors and several committees this fall. We will also be exhibiting at the in person joint ANCC Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® conference in November. If you are attending, please stop by our booth to say hello. We are happy to have this opportunity to see our certified nurses in person.

Thank you,

Michael Kingan, DNP, AGPNP-BC, CWOCN
WOCNCB® President

What's New

Welcome New WOCNCB^® Board Members

Alexis and Laura will start new four year board terms in January 2022. Clay is currently a WOCNCB^® Board Member and was re-elected and will continue to serve the board thru 2024. Thank you for volunteering your time to the Wound, Ostomy, Continence and Foot Care nursing specialties!

Access to Ostomy Products and Services in Home-Based Environment Achieves Health Care Triple Aim

The WOCNCB^® Public Policy and Advocacy Committee brought an important white paper on access to ostomy supplies to the WOCNCB Board for consideration. AAHomecare worked with the WOCN Society, UOAA, and the United Spinal Association to write a paper entitled, “The Critical Need to Provide Ostomy Supplies Specific to Patient Need to Improve Health Outcomes.” The press release states that the purpose of the white paper is “to educate payers and state Medicaid programs on the types of products and services needed to successfully manage an individual’s bowel and bladder needs in a home-based setting to achieve the Triple Aim of improving patient experience and health outcomes while reducing overall cost.” WOCNCB’s Board voted to endorse the white paper and stand with colleagues advocating for improved access to critical ostomy supplies. Download the white paper here and press release here.

Sign up to recieve email updates from the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. Stay updated with important discussions about quality patient care, healthcare reform and reimbursement issues.

Updated Ostomy & Continent Diversion Patient Bill Of Rights

UOAA released their updated Ostomy & Continent Diversion Patient Bill Of Rights. WOCNCB^® endorsed the previous Bill of Rights and voted to give their support to the updated Bill of Rights as well. The UOAA has resources about the Patient Bill of Rights that you can share with your patients. Resources include poster, wallet card, videos and more! Learn more by visiting UOAA website.

Helping Hands

WOCNCB^® Volunteers!

WOCNCB^® is thankful for all those who donate their time to committee service. There are so many that contribute to the success of this organization. In August, the Ad Hoc Exam Prep Materials Committee met in Minneapolis, MN to work on Advanced Practice exam prep resources. We appreciate your time and dedication! More in person meetings with additional committees and the Board of Directors are planned this Fall.

WOCNCB® Team Celebrated World Ostomy Day

WOCNCB^® team members joined to Celebrate World Ostomy Day on October 2, 2021 by participating in UOAA's 2021 Worldwide Virtual Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k! Every three years ostomy organizations around the world celebrate World Ostomy Day. This year’s motto as designated by the European Ostomy Association is “Ostomates’ Rights are Human Rights – anytime and anywhere!” To learn more about the event and donate click here. Pictured below: WOCNCB Board member Cathy Wogamon and with her partner John and dog Vadar and Board member Sarah Erslev in Walt Disney World! Thank you to all who participated in this amazing event!

Your WOCNCB^® is here for you!

Credential Extension Request

We know that conditions in health care facilities and practice locations vary widely across the country, and each nurse’s situation is unique. If you have been impacted by the pandemic, and it is preventing you from completing your recertification, please submit a credential extension request before your credentials lapse. An extension request can extend your certification for 3 to 6 months to allow you more time to prepare to take the exam.  A form to request an extension can be found here. Reviews of extension applications are completed within 7-10 days.

Benevolence Fund

In addition, if you are unable to renew your credentials due to a financial strain, you can also submit a Benevolence Fund application to cover the expense of recertification. You can find an application here.

As always, thanks for all you do to serve patients and for choosing WOCNCB® for your certification!

Live Remote Proctoring Available

Live remote proctoring allows you to take the exam anywhere you have a secure internet connection for a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam.  A proctor will check you in and watch as you take the exam.  Remote proctored exams are available 7 days a week. Remote Proctored Exams Available through December 31. More details on remote proctoring can be found here.

Did you Know

CE opportunity for WOC and Foot Care Nurses @ virtual Desert Foot!

Earn an estimated 30 CEs! A great value for nurses with special  registration fee of $99.00. The conference is focused on evidence-based and best practices to improve:

• limb salvage techniques
• advanced wound care skills
• treat surgical & medical disorders of the lower limb

This year WOCNCB Foot Care Exam Committee member Dr. Kate Clayton-Jones, PhD, MBA, RN, CFCS, CFCN  will be presenting a session:

Changing Toe Tip Pressures with Shoe Lacing

To learn more about the CE offerings and sessions visit Desert Foot.

Nursing Management is actively seeking submissions for future issues of our award-winning journal! To be considered for publication, your article should present practical information for nurse leaders. Nursing Management is encouraging manuscripts and inquiries from first-time authors. Nursing Management accepts submissions for several topic areas including: Clinical practice knowledge, Shared decision-making, Technology and more! This is a PGP point opportunity!

Follow this  Nursing Management link to learn more information or to submit your manuscript.

Black Friday Sale coming soon!

Once again WOCNCB® will be offering a discount for each Certification Badge Holder Pin ordered. Take advantage of this special offer and order for yourself and others! Details will be announced via email in November!

These attractive enameled pins will identify you as an expert in your specialty. Gold tone with enameled background, and open area for badge holder or hanging your eyeglasses.  Actual size 1/2" x 3/4".

Employer Discount Voucher Program!

Share the News with your Employer! It's a WIN WIN!

The WOCNCB Employer Discount Program offers a way for employers to get nurses certified at a reduced rate. Employers can purchase exam application vouchers in bulk and save up to 27% off regular application fees based on how many vouchers are purchased. This keeps costs down and increases the number of WOCNCB certified nurses. The more vouchers you purchase, the more you save.

Vouchers can be used for initial and recertification exams and/or PGP recertification portfolio payments! It's a WIN WIN! See details.

COVID-19 RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Your health and well-being is critical at this time, be sure to take advantage of ANA's Well-Being Initiative offering free tools and Apps to support the mental health and resilience of all nurses. Be sure to visit the WOCN Society's COVID-19 for updates and resources for clinicians, nurses, and medical researchers, in response to new developments, evidence, and guidance surrounding COVID-19.

If you do not wish to be included in our mailing list, please forward this message to info@wocncb.org.