Wound Certification

By Fabiola Jimenez, RN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN

Nursing has given me great opportunities; some of them I never imagined possible. I started as a medical surgical nurse in an oncology unit where the treatment of the day was gauze soaked in Dakin's solution for the management of post op radical neck surgery. I moved on to intensive care, travel nursing, Army nursing, and endoscopy. It was in endoscopy and working with the colorectal surgeons, who helped me get my clinical experience while pursuing a master's degree in nursing, where I found out that it all could be tied together with a certification in wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC), and a wound care nurse is born!

By Karen Zulkowski, DNS, RN Wound Course Instructor, Excelsior College

Dr. Karen Zulkowski is recently retired from her role as associate professor at Montana State University-Bozeman, where she taught evidence based practice and lead field research for nearly 20 years. She began wound care research in her early days in graduate school, eventually obtaining her DNS from New York State University at Buffalo. She is currently working on the International Ostomy Guidelines for 2020 and is executive edit for the WCET Journal. Throughout her accomplished career, Dr. Zulkowski has displayed a commitment to advancing knowledge of wound care through research, mentoring and teaching.

By the Wound Source Editors

Martin D. Vera, LVN, CWS is the Coordinator of Wound Management at Patience Home Health Care in San Antonio, Texas. He has been working in the wound care field for nearly 20 years, helping countless patients, teaching wound care best practices, and improving standards at his care facility. His career has demonstrated an extraordinary passion for patient care, a commitment to doing the right thing, and a strong faith.

By Fabiola Jimenez, RN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN

Fabiola Jimenez is a Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse and Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist at Detroit Medical Center Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, a small community hospital of 158 beds in eastern Michigan. She has been a nurse since 1988, when she entered the field after graduating from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout her accomplished career, her work has demonstrated a dedication to caring for patients and a lifelong commitment to educating herself and others.

By Diana L. Gallagher MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

I just finished attending my first professional conference of the year. It was a combined meeting of the Wound Care Institute and the South Central Region of WOCN. Since becoming certified as a wound, ostomy and continence nurse, I have always contended that important components of professional practice include maintaining membership in your professional society as well as a commitment to lifelong learning.

By Miranda Henry, WoundSource Managing Editor

There are opportunities for health care providers at all levels to become experts in the field of wound care. This multidisciplinary field is comprised of a wide range of health care professionals including nurses, dietitians, surgeons, gerentologists, podiatrists, physical therapists…the list is expansive!

By Laurie Swezey RN, BSN, CWOCN, CWS, FACCWS

You want to become certified in wound care. That’s a great decision – the field is wide open and wound care consultants are in high demand. Wondering about the certification process and how you can write the exam? Here’s what you should expect at the wound care board examination.

By Cheryl Carver, LPN, WCC, CWCA, FACCWS, DAPWCA, CLTC

I was thinking back to the days when I worked as a hyperbaric technologist. Hyperbaric medicine has significantly evolved over the past decade. Many things stick out in my mind, such as criteria for insurance payor reimbursement, hyperbaric dosing, and regulatory standards, to name a few. Those were the days when we had to fax hyperbaric research articles and case studies to the utilization review departments of insurance companies. Ninety-nine percent of the time, panel review board members didn't know what hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was. I would also get asked, "Do you mean 'bariatric'?" (instead of hyperbaric). The legwork seeking prior authorization for HBOT was dreadful during that time.

By Cheryl Carver, LPN, WCC, CWCA, FACCWS, DAPWCA, CLTC

As a wound care consultant, I receive many requests to conduct ongoing in-services of various topics with "all" nursing staff. This request is intended for the LVN/LPN and RN staff. My definition of "all" nursing staff is licensed nurses AND certified or state tested nursing assistants.

By Michel H.E. Hermans, MD

The first time you see your name published as the lead author of an article you are filled with pride. If an article is rejected you are filled with frustration.