IN THIS ISSUE:     What's New  |   Helping Hands  |   Did You Know?  |   Save the Date

President's Message

I would like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. For the last 4 years I worked as board liaison for certification preparation. Through the work with volunteer certificants we have published flashcards for the many specialty areas of WOCNCB® certification. This year is my first year as President of the WOCNCB® and over the year I look forward to sharing with you updates on our exciting initiatives.  

As we begin the New Year, we have three new members of the Board of Directors. Sarah Erslev is a CWOCN and CFCN, and Jonathan Smith is a CFCN. Together they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board of Directors. We also have a new Public Member on the Board Jeanine Gleba. Jeanine is the Advocacy Manager for UOAA, and while she is not an ostomate, her work advocating for patients brings a new perspective and knowledge about regulatory and legislative issues that impact our patients every day. I would also like to thank our outgoing Board members Chenel Trevellini and George Salamy for their service to WOCNCB®.

In April 2019 the Board of Directors developed a new strategic plan for the next 3-5 years, which focuses on 5 global areas involving certificant excellence, constituent support and engagement, marketing, technology, and creating partnerships. We already have several initiatives underway. We launched mobile app versions of our exam prep flashcards and a podcast, Certification Inspiration. We have begun work on developing new webinars and videos with education about recertification, and a presence on Instagram is an additional outreach tool that will share the value of certification. Work is also underway on developing an employer discount program and new retired and inactive certification statuses. These will be rolled out later this year.

I have enjoyed meeting so many of you, listening to your stories; hearing the positive impact you make in your patient and family’s lives; and your ideas for future opportunities for our specialty has been inspirational! I would like to thank each of you for maintaining your WOCNCB® certification which sets the standard for wound, ostomy, continence and foot care nursing certification by validating nurses’ knowledge to provide safe, patient-centered care. I would like to take a moment to thank Jill Trelease, the Board Members, and WOCNCB® staff for their support and guidance over the last four years. I look forward to serving you in this new role.

Thank you,

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

What‘s New?

Welcome New Board Members!

Sarah Erslev, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN Jonathan F. Smith, BSN, RN-BC, CFCN

2020 WOCNCB® Board Members

Above from left to right front row: Jessica Simmons, Jonathan F. Smith, Jill Trelease, Cathy Wogamon, Holly Hovan. Back row: Clay Collins, Sarah Erslev, Shawn Meadows, Kathleen Kump, Michael Kingan, Melayne P. Martin. Click here for more information on the current Board of Directors.

Nominate Your Employer!

WOCNCB® 2020 Employer Recognition Award 

Accepting applications through February 18, 2020

The WOCNCB® Employer Recognition Award is awarded annually to honor an organization that has demonstrated exemplary support of the certification process in WOC nursing.

To nominate your employer:

  • Only current WOCNCB® Certificants can nominate an organization.
  • The application and full details on the submission guidelines can be found on the WOCNCB® website: http://www.wocncb.org/get-involved/employer-recognition-award 

Nominate your employer for the 2020 WOCNCB® Employer Recognition Award! Visit http://www.WOCNCB.org/about-us/employer-recognition-awards

Accepting nominations through February 18, 2020

 

Helping Hands

Thank you WOCNCB® 2019 Volunteers!

WOCNCB® is thankful for all those who donate their time to board or committee service. There are so many that contribute to the success of this organization. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to those volunteers whose service ended in 2019:

Bethany Eifrid, BSN, RN, CWOCN, (Indianapolis, Indiana), Public Policy, 2017 – 2019
Phill Botham, MSN, RN, CWON, (Charleston, SC), Public Policy, 2018 – 2019
Frances Wilson, CNS, MSN, CWOCN-AP, CFCN, (Tustin, CA), Foot Care Exam, 2013 – 2019
Patsy Martinsek, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, (Columbus, OH), Foot Care Exam, 2015 – 2019
Leslie Wilson, BSN, RN, CWOCN, (Hollidaysburg, PA), Item Review, 2018 – 2019
Christina Hotze, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, (Troutdale, OR), Item Review, 2018 – 2019
Sharon Ragsdale, BSN, RN, CWOCN, (Cypress, TX), PGP, 2018 – 2019
Mary Ann Brooks, MSN, RN, CWOCN, (Great Falls, VA), PGP, 2018 – 2019
Chenel Trevellini, MSN, RN, CWOCN, (Bayside, NY), Board of Directors, 2015 – 2019)
George Salamy, Board of Directors, (Chester, NJ) 2018 – 2019

Volunteer Nurses Needed for Youth Rally 2020

Each year the Youth Rally has a dedicated team of Licensed Medical Professionals who have experience with wound, ostomy and continence nursing. Youth Rally hosts kids and teens living with conditions of the bowel and bladder at a college campus for a 5-night one of a kind camp experience that promotes independence, self-esteem, learning, friendship, and FUN!

Emily Pellegrini BSN, RN CWON shares her experience as a 2019 volunteer:

I first heard about Youth Rally from my former manager, Phill Botham, who had volunteered in 2015 and had come back raving about the experience.  I volunteered in 2016 and 2019, and both experiences have had a profound impact on me. Initially, I had mentally prepared for a busy week filled with exciting activities, promoting ostomy independence, and spending time with adorable campers.  What I had not prepared for was joining a new family. I had no idea that this community was so strong and that after just one week, I would feel such an intense connection to it.  The adjustment to life with an ostomy often comes with a learning curve and a new set of challenges.  Youth Rally is the happy place I want all my patients to know about.  I wish my patients could see all the campers not letting an ostomy prevent them from doing gymnastics, playing soccer, swimming, lifting weights, or simply being happy and confident. I wish they could meet the counselors who did not let a bladder or bowel diversion stop them from becoming successful career women and men, triathletes, world travelers, and models. I encourage you to even tell your adult patients about Youth Rally as they too might be able to volunteer and thrive in this community.

The camp leadership and the other counselors and nurses are compassionate, friendly, confident, vulnerable, and warm.  The love they have for these kids and this camp is palpable.  The days were long and busy, but counselors and other nurses would gather their energy and go the extra mile for the kids to make sure they were having a good time.  I was especially impressed by fellow counselor, Jearlean Taylor. She is a top fashion model and ostomy advocate.  She and the campers put on the best fashion show I have ever seen. I kept seeing her in the craft room, deep in conversation with campers, and working on projects for hours.  The hard work paid off. I cried big ugly tears watching the campers confidently strut their stuff across the stage.  The campers glamorously modeled a round of beautiful evening gowns followed by beautiful, self-designed expressive outfits.  The applause was fitting for a professional sports team and absolutely deserved.

With all of the negativity reported in the news, it was comforting to see multiple examples of human kindness and positivity all week long. My fellow nurses drew campers into endless conversations and activities, donned ridiculous outfits for theme parties, accompanied campers to hospitals and urgent care centers when needed, and ensured the kids were staying on top of their medical needs.  I am so happy to be part of an organization that brings amazing people together, empowers kids to better understand and care for their medical needs, and provides a foundation for everyone involved to build unforgettable memories.

This year’s Youth Rally will be held in San Diego from July 20th – 25th, 2020. CLICK HERE to learn more about attending as a camper, counselor or nurse. 2020 applications are now available!

Above: 2019 Youth Rally Fashion Show put on by volunteer nurses, counselors and campers in Seattle, Washington.

Did you Know?

It takes over a year for a question to be placed on a WOCNCB® exam?

Lifecycle of a Test Question Part 2

Test questions go through another round of editing and review during exam form assembly before they are field tested on exams

Field Test Questions -Questions that are being field tested appear on the exams, but they are not included in the scoring to determine if a candidate passes or fails the exam.

Statistical Review - Items that are field tested undergo a statistical review to determine whether the percentage of correct answers is consistent with the scored items on those exams.

Eligible Scored Items -If the review determines the field test items are performing well, item response theory (IRT) calibration is used to examine individual items and determine the probability that an individual with a given ability will correctly answer the question.

Question Used on Exam -When IRT calibration is complete, the items are considered to be ready for assembly into an exam form and used on exams.

For complete infographic Lifecyle of a Test Question click here.

WOCNCB® Certification Inspiration Podcast!

We are pleased to introduce our new podcast WOCNCB® Certification Inspiration!

The new podcast kicked off with a series of episodes by WOCNCB® Certified nurses sharing experiences in different workplace settings: A Day in the Life of a WOCNCB® Nurse.

Each episode is 10-20 minutes in length and is recorded by our own certified nurses. Get ready to Be Inspired!

 

WOCNCB® Video Contest - Enter and Win!

Submissions accepted now thru March 19!

We are excited to launch our 2020 video contest! Open to all individuals currently certified by WOCNCB®. The contest theme: WOCNCB® Certification Inspiration: Share your 2020 Vision. If you’ve listened to the WOCNCB® podcasts you know there are many ways certification can inspire and empower nurses. What is your WOCNCB® Certification Inspiration and vision for 2020?

Now is your chance to share your story! All qualifying videos will be featured on WOCNCB®’s website. The winning video will be selected by fellow WOCNCB® certified nurses. A $300 prize will be awarded for the winning video and the opportunity to collaborate with us to create a featured WOCNCB® Certification Inspiration podcast! Learn more!

All WOCNCB® official announcements are sent via email

Update us with your contact information in one simple step!

Remember your certifications are with WOCNCB®.  Please keep both WOCNCB® and the WOCN Society up-to-date.  Don't risk a certification lapse!  All WOCNCB® official announcements are sent via e-mail only. If you have changed your e-mail address in the last 5 years, please contact the WOCNCB® office at info@wocncb.org. Help us help you to keep your contact information up-to-date to receive recertification reminders! 

The WOCN Society and WOCNCB® do not share contact databases to prevent any perceived or actual conflict of interest on the part of the certification board. Please keep both WOCNCB® and the WOCN Society up-to-date.

To learn more regarding the WOCN Society and the benefits of membership please visit wocn.org.

Please keep your email address Up-to-Date!

Save The Date!

Look for WOCNCB® at these upcoming 2020 conferences:
WOCNCB
WOCNCB®
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
Phone: (888) 496-2622
Fax: (414) 276-2146
Email: info@wocncb.org 		Stay Connected with WOCNCB®:

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