Position Statements

WOCNCB credentials are viewed as The Gold Standard for Certification^®, and it is our goal to maintain our high standards by requiring both clinical and classroom education for certification.

These position statements reflect WOCNCB's mission to promote the highest standard of consumer care and safety by providing credentialing in the areas of wound, ostomy, continence and foot care nursing. Print and share them with your employer, patients, legislators, regulators, and other stakeholders in the healthcare field.

WOCN^® Registered Trademark Use Guidelines

Entry Level WOC Practice

Summary: The WOCNCB states that although certification is voluntary, nurses who hold WOCNCB credentials have demonstrated their commitment to and knowledge of WOC nursing practice by meeting stringent, predetermined standards and passing a rigorous comprehensive wound, ostomy, and/or continence examination. This position statement also outlines eligibility requirements for certification by the WOCNCB.

Advanced Practice in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing

Summary: The WOCNCB acknowledges the higher degree of professional accountability to which Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Practitioners are held. This position statement emphasizes the importance of measurement of advanced practice competency in the wound, ostomy, and continence specialty. It also states the belief that measurement of competency in a generalist scope of knowledge (e.g. via a Medical - Surgical CNS or Adult NP examination) does not assure advanced nursing competency in wound, ostomy, and continence care.

WOCN^® Society and WOCNCB Joint Entry Level WOC Practice Position Statement

Summary: In this joint statement, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board take this position: A nurse who is responsible for the management of the nursing care of patients with wound, ostomy or continence needs can best demonstrate competency by completion of a WOCN Society-accredited, Wound, Ostomy and/or Continence Nursing Education Program (WOCNEP) and/or certification by the WOCNCB in all of the specialty areas in which they practice. Supporting evidence is cited in the References section of the position statement.