Previously Asked Questions
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Question:
I am a LPN. Can I start my own foot care company for elderly and diabetics
Answered November 30, 2023
We recommend you contact your state board of nursing to determine if this is within your scope of practice and what an LPN is allowed.
Question:
I am a Nurse Practitioner, preparing for my initial tri-specialty certification exams. Is it recommended to sit for the regular or the AP exams?
Answered November 28, 2023
You may choose either the basic or the AP level exams. The AP specialty wound, ostomy, continence exams do have different content from the regular level. Exam questions will focus on your level/scope, such as diagnosis, leadership, research, etc.
Question:
As there is a shortage of nurses, my question is why an ADN RN cannot become certified in wound care.
Answered November 28, 2023
WOCNCB has a certification in wound care for the LPN or Associate-degreed RN, as a Wound Treatment Associate - Certified (WTA-C). Please see our information on the website under "Certification / Wound Treatment Associate". For the other level of credentialing as CWCN,
the Bachelor’s degree requirement started in the year 2000. With a bachelor’s degree, the education provided looks at the bio-psycho-social aspects of the patient. The bachelor’s also brings in the statistics and research component and how to view research in your field. The CWOCN role is autonomous and looks at all aspects of what is going to impact the patient’s healing and what evidence is available that can be used to impact the patient’s outcomes and if the evidence is statistically significant.
Further, the WOCNCB supports the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) "Future of Nursing" Consensus Report which says:
*Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.
*Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.
*Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.
*Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and information infrastructure.
Question:
If I were to find a local practitioner willing to precept for Foot Care certification what is the process for having them qualify to precept? Do they need to complete a preceptor application?
Answered November 21, 2023
There is not a formal process or application to be a preceptor. You will list the individual's name, credentials, and contact information within our online exam application. This is our means to be able to contact them directly for verification. It is done within the "Employer" section of the application as if they are your employer - to show who is the individual with whom you worked with for the precepting.
Question:
Do you have to have your bachelor's degree to take the course/test for WOCN? I am currently WCC certified and my company wants to send me for WOCN.
Answered November 17, 2023
There is a requirement to hold a Bachelor's Degree for the CWOCN credentials, both for the education program and our board certification exams. Without the degree, there is a WTA-C (Wound Treatment Associate - Certified) available. Please see information on this site under "Certification / Wound Treatment Associate".
Question:
I am a CWOCN and am considering going to NP school to obtain my Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Would I be able to sit for the WOCN-AP exam with the AGPNP degree or do I need to have FNP to do so?
Answered November 17, 2023
You must have completed a MSN or higher nursing degree program to become an APRN (Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist(CNS), Nurse-Mid Wife (NMW), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)).
Question:
Why is recertification not through CME once you take the initial certification. This would make so much more sense from a professional standpoint and keep your providers UTD.
Answered November 14, 2023
There is a new 2024 Professional Growth Program (PGP) set of requirements that will allow you to use Practice Hours and CE for doing recertification via portfolio. Please see this website, under "Recertification/PGP" for information. There is a new 2024 PGP Handbook outlining the process. You would submit a portfolio for review, 3 months prior to credentials expiration.
Question:
I am considering doing the foot care certification. I put my address in and I am not finding preceptors within 50miles. What is process for getting a local podiatrist or practitioner to be qualify as a preceptor?
Answered November 14, 2023
The CFCN foot care preceptor directory may be limited due to the number of nurses signing up for the directory. Otherwise, you would need to find someone on your own at a nearby facility who is able to help. This can be an MD, Podiatrist, NP, other CFCN, etc.
Question:
I am not sure where to send these questions...
I have just got remarried and want to change my name on my CWON certificate. How do I go about doing this please?
I have just submitted my name change to the Arizona State board of nursing too.
I am also thinking of traveling with my husband in an RV in the next 12-15 months for 1-2 years around the USA. How long can I not practice nursing in wound ostomy care in order to not loose my certification? Plus What is the minimum number of hours a year do I have to practice as a CWON in order to not loose my certification?
Thank you for your support.
Answered November 13, 2023
You may email a copy of the marriage certificate, showing old a new name information, to: info@wocncb.org. Your credentials remain valid for 5 years, and in order to recertify, you would either exam prior to the expiration date, or would submit a PGP portfolio 3 months prior to the credentials expiring - which is reviewed for meeting the criteria in the PGP Handbook. If you take the exams, you do not necessarily need to be working in the role. The exam application requires proof of current RN licensure and then you may exam -- as long as the CWON is current. Please find recertification requirements in the Exam Handbook, also on this website under "Recertification" and click on either Exam or PGP.
Question:
Hi I am planning to take WOCN wound care provider certification, please let me know whether any study material available, where can I find it.
Answered November 13, 2023
Exam study information is found on this website, under "Certification / Exam Preparation".
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