IN THIS ISSUE: Whats New | Spotlight | Helping Hands | Did You Know? | Save the Date

President's Message

Greetings and happy Fall!

As the leaves change, days get shorter, and the air starts to get colder and more crisp, this is the initial notice that the end of the year is approaching. While I would like to make a comparison of the WOCNCB to the changing seasons, I really can’t as the seasonal changes are an expected pattern. The WOCNCB on the other hand, is dynamic and while some may view it as changing, I view it as also evolving! I have some exciting updates that will demonstrate these changes and evolution.

First, I would like to congratulate our newly elected Board Member, Sandy Fasing. Sandy comes from Virginia and is a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist. She has been WOCNCB certified since 1992. The Board of Directors (BOD) looks forward to working with her, and we are excited to meet her at the Fall Meeting.

I would also like to congratulate Holly Hovan on being elected for a second term on the BOD. Holly has filled multiple positions on the BOD from her start as Marketing Committee Liaison to Financial Officer. Her overall versatility will continue to be an asset to the Board in what ever new role she fills.

I am thrilled to announce that the Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN) Credential has received ABSNC accreditation. It has been a long journey to become accredited and I want to acknowledge the contributions and hard work from the Foot Care Committee, Jon Smith, the Board Liaison, the rest of the BOD, and WOCNCB staff, in particular Kathy Meyer. Accreditation is voluntary and only given to those certifications that meet or exceed the nursing certification industry’s most rigorous standards based on an independent peer-reviewed process.

Upcoming education events to watch out for include Desert Foot, on Dec. 6-9 in Phoenix, AZ. Board member, Cathy Harmon, DNP, MNS, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN and Marketing Committee member Yvette Conyers, DNP, MS, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS will be presenting.

Another education opportunity we would like to share is the WOCN Wound Education Day held on Dec. 9th. See below for a link to register.

I would like to conclude my last E-News letter on a bittersweet tone. Just as the fall season signals the end of the year, it is also approaching the end of my term as WOCNCB President. It has been an honor to serve in this role and I have no words to even begin to articulate the amount of personal and professional growth I have had because of my time on the WOCNCB. I want to encourage anyone who is reading this to consider volunteering, whether it is starting out on a committee, as I did, or going right for nomination for the board election slate! It does not matter if you have 1 year of certification, as I did when I started on the marketing committee, or 20 years. You all have unique experiences that have potential to bring value!

Clay Collins’, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN term as President will begin at the start of next year. Clay has a long history with the board from both his work on committees and as a board member. He is not afraid to step up to a challenge and in addition to his no-nonsense approach, his humor and compassion will positively impact the continued evolution of the WOCNCB.

Warm regards,

Jessica Simmons, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CWON, DNC
WOCNCB® President

What's New?

Welcome New WOCNCB^® Board Members!

From left to right: Congratulations to board member-elect Sandra Fasing, MSN, RN, CWOCN, ACNS-BC, from Virginia. Sandra will start a new four year term in January, 2024. Holly Hovan is currently a WOCNCB Board Member and was re-elected and will continue to serve the Board through 2027. Thank you for volunteering your time to the Wound, Ostomy, Continence and Foot Care nursing specialties!

ABSNC Grants Accreditation for CFCN®!

The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) announced it has granted accreditation for the WOCNCB Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN) credential certification program. This accreditation demonstrates that WOCNCB certification programs meets the high standards of ABSNC and that certified nurses possess advanced specialty knowledge and skills that empower them to provide the highest quality of care and promote optimal health outcomes. Beginning January 1, 2024, ANCC Magnet status will be limited to certifications accredited by ABSNC or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ABSNC accreditation validates your hard earned credentials!

NEW PGP PROGRAM REQUIREMENT

How will this affect you?

If you are submitting a portfolio in 2023, you will still use the existing PGP points structure.
If you are planning to submit a portfolio in 2024, you will use the new PGP points structure.
If you are due to submit a portfolio between now and 12/31/2023, and you want to use the new points structure, you can request a CREDENTIAL EXTENSION to file in the first quarter of 2024 (email: info@wocncb.org).

Check out PGP FAQs and listen to WOCNCB Certification Inspiration podcast: New Streamlined PGP Requirements – What you Need to Know!

Spotlight

New WOCNCB Inspiration Podcast!

A Conversation with Northside Hospital - 2023 Employer Recognition Award Winner!

WOCNCB enjoyed speaking with Northside Hospital, listen to podcast to see how the WOCNCB Certified Nurses serve as leaders, educators, consultants and administrators. Listen.

44 Years Certified: Bonnie Sue Rolstad MS, RN, CWOCN

WOCNCB is celebrating the 45-year milestone throughout the year by highlighting some of our longest continuously certified nurses! Bonnie is Director of Online Education and Faculty for WEB WOC and has been continuously WOCNCB certified for 44 years. We asked her to share some of her inspiration and insights:

What innovations have you seen during your career?

“Technology has impacted the world in which we live; it's given people opportunities to gain access to content they would have never known about before. Ruth Bryant and I started the WEB WOC nursing education program before the iPhone was invented, can you imagine that? Education needs to go farther; we have telemedicine and electronic medical records-we have so much technology around us that I think that's one of the big impacts in our practice. Students can watch/listen to videos on things they could never have seen before if they're curious about topics. Now they may see the correct and incorrect information, but that's OK as it raises good questions for learning.”

What inspired you to pursue WOCNCB certification?

“To elevate my status and verify my credibility. It was the late 1970s and I was heading into a program director position, so I needed to be certified. Later, to be a leader in an education environment being certified as well as master prepared was required.”

Since the pandemic, many nurses retired; what made you stay?

“People ask me- when are you going to retire? Well, I'm teaching more now because there are more people coming into the arena and evidence-based practice has become so important for WOC nursing. I also stay because I love it – it has been my life’s mission.”

Helping Hands

Live PGP Office Hours!

Join WOCNCB volunteers for PGP Office Hours, where you can ask questions in real time and learn more about the new PGP process and resources.

This is an informal session; please drop in via Zoom anytime between 4-5:30pm CT to ask questions face to face.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83685619793?pwd=Y1hqaGlvQStYaU9rRlNMQkR3ZE5JUT09

Meeting ID: 836 8561 9793
Passcode: 411130

Check out PGP FAQs and WOCNCB Certification Inspiration podcast New Streamlined PGP Requirements – What you Need to Know!

WOCNCB Team Celebrated Ostomy Awareness Day

WOCNCB team members joined to Celebrate Ostomy Awareness Day on October 7, 2023 by participating in UOAA's 2023 Virtual Run for Resilience Ostomy 5k! The Ostomy 5k event is a key fundraiser to support the programs and services of United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA). UOAA’s goal is to raise awareness and share the message that “Ostomies Are Life-Savers!” To learn more about the event and donate click here. Pictured below: WOCNCB Board member Sarah Erslev with her dog Luna in Colorado, Ostomy Education Cart in Ohio, and Public Policy & Advocacy Committee member Staci Bacon in South Carolina! Thank you to all who participated in this amazing event!

Thank you and Congratulations!

Heather Warner, MS, RN, CWOCN, is the winner of the Amazon Gift Card drawing! Heather completed the WOC Job Task Analysis (JTA) survey. The purpose of the JTA is to identify the responsibilities of WOC nurses in order to maintain content valid certification examinations that are representative of certified WOC nurses. Thank you to all those who participated.

Did You Know?

WOCNCB Certified Nurses Presenting at Desert Foot!

Earn up to 24 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

WOCNCB Certified Nurses presenting: