Previously Asked Questions

Question:
I was a WOC student preceptor for Wound and Ostomy scopes. The student did 40 hours in each scope. The confirmation letter I have from the Practicum Coordinator says "60 clinical & 20 Professional Practice hours in the Wound and Ostomy Scopes". Do I put these in as 40 hours in Wound and 40 hours in Ostomy under the "Precepting WOC Nursing Education Prog students" activity? Or is there a different way to separately enter the clinical and PP hours as a preceptor?

Answered May 30, 2026
Thanks for your question! See page 14 in the 2024 PGP Handbook, precepting falls under specialty and not professional practice. See page 21 of the 2024 PGP Handbook for the records you should keep in case you are audited. Good luck on your portfolio!

Question:
I am recertifying for 2 specialties which should total $510, but the charge is coming up as $710. What should I do?

Answered May 28, 2026
Please email our office directly, and we will be able to assist. info@wocncb.org

Question:
I am in the process of working on my PGP for recertification. Is there a number on how many education tools for patients or health care providers you can submit per certification for ostomy? Thank you for your time.

Answered May 27, 2026
Thanks for your question! It sounds like you are asking if there is a limit to the number of educational tools you can submit for PGP points. If so, there is no limit but remember you must have at least 10 CEs directly related to the specialty and this can be found on page 9 of the 2024 PGP handbook. Good luck on your portfolio!

Question:
experiential pathway for RN without BSN”.

Answered May 26, 2026
As an RN without a Bachelor's Degree, you would qualify for the Wound Treatment Associate-Certified credential, WTA-C. Please see the website page under "Certification / Wound Treatment Associate" and click on "Eligibility". It requires course completion plus 16 clinical hours with a preceptor who is a wound care expert. There is another level for the RN with a Bachelor's Degree, for "Certified Wound Care Nurse".

Question:
I am looking for an ostomy nurse in my area. The zip code is 11937 and the town is East Hampton NY. Please respond as soon as possible because my wife has an ileostomy and is having frequent leakage and may need a new pouching system. Thank you Marie Ongioni 631-324-2012

Answered May 25, 2026
I’m sorry to hear your wife is struggling! Below are a couple of websites to locate a local ostomy nurse. The first one is for the WOCN find a nurse and the other is the United Ostomy Associations of America locate an patient ostomy nurse. https://findanurse.wocn.org/ https://www.ostomy.org/outpatient-ostomy-services-locator/

Question:
Is the cwocn called clinical nurse specialist?

Answered November 17, 2017
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are registered nurses who typically hold a master's degree, at minimum, along with national certification denoting advanced knowledge and clinical skills specific to a particular patient population or specialized area of nursing. Therefore, this designation (CNS) is not issued by our credentialing body, WOCNCB, but rather by a state board of nursing or perhaps given by the university while earning the MSN. In some states, it is a practice-based designation to use CNS.

Question:
Does the APN WOCN certification meet the requirements for CMS for an APN, and thus the Medicare provider #?

Answered May 30, 2009
The WOCNCB AP credentials would not meet the CMS requirements for an APN. The ability to obtain a Medicare provider number is based upon your advance practice credential, CNS or NP. Certifications of any type, including the WOCNCB credentials, enhance your scope of practice.