Educational ObjectivesCourse DescriptionsApplication/Scholarship Details

 Educational Objectives

Graduation depends on successful completion of all course requirements and satisfactory clinical performance. Upon completion of the full-scope program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Utilize understanding of normal anatomy and physiology of the GI, GU, and integumentary systems as a basis for nursing management and education of selected patients.
   
   
2. Describe pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment modalities for selected disorders of the GI, GU, and integumentary systems.
   
   
3. Provide rehabilitative care for patients with ostomies or continent diversions, encompassing preoperative counseling, instruction, and stoma site selection; postoperative care and instruction/counseling; and long-term follow-up.
   
   
4. Devise appropriate management system for patient with draining wound/fistula to provide for collection/quantification of drainage and for skin protection/maintenance of patient comfort.
   
   
5. Implement program for prevention and management of skin breakdown on an agency-wide basis as well as for individual patients.
   
   
6. Collaborate with medical and nursing staff to provide assessment/intervention for patients with urinary or fecal incontinence.
   
   
7. Provide clinical consultation to medical and nursing staff in areas of expertise.
   
   
8. Utilize own expertise and educational/motivational principles to provide staff education in areas of wound, ostomy, and continence care.
   
   
9. Develop and maintain record-keeping system which accurately reflects their practice
   and contributes to role justification.
   
   
10. Participate in product evaluation and research activities related to WOC nursing practice.
    
    
11. Effectively implement the nurse specialist role.
    
    
12. Establish an evidence-based practice.

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 Course Descriptions

Ten-Week Traditional Onsite Program: The first five weeks of this ten-week course are devoted to Emory campus-based didactic instruction, while the second five weeks involve clinical preceptorship and project completion. Clinical assignments are selected to provide each student with a wide variety of clinical experiences in the tri-specialty of wound, ostomy, and continence care at a variety of clinical facilities in the metro-Atlanta area. The course also offers single or dual specialty programs. All clinical experience is provided in tandem with an experienced and approved preceptor.

Six-Week Split-Option Program: Following successful completion of the six-week Emory-based theoretical component of this nine-week session, the student returns home for the remaining four weeks to complete their clinical and project requirements. Students are required to obtain qualified and approved preceptors for their clinical component. Emory WOCNEC can assist in identifying potential preceptors in the student's geographic area.

Distance Learning Program: The theoretical component of this program is completed via four self-study modules, each of which includes learning objectives, suggested readings, core content, and learning activities, some of which are graded. Successful completion of each of the three clinical modules requires a score of at least 80% on proctored module examinations, after which the student is required to do a one-week onsite program at Emory focusing on simulations labs, clinical experience in foot and nail care, and critical thinking exercises. Following this module, students return home to complete their clinical and project requirements, though the student may arrange to do their clinical work in Atlanta. As with the traditional onsite course, this program offers single and dual specialty programs in addition to the standard tri-specialty program of wound, ostomy, and continence care. As with the split-option program, any offsite preceptors must meet established criteria and be approved by Emory; the WOCNEC office will assist in identifying potential preceptors.

Wound Management for Treatment Nurses: This three-day course in wound management is designed to provide the treatment nurse with the knowledge and skills required for preventing nosocomial breakdown and effectively assessing and managing chronic wounds such as skin tears, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, neuropathic ulcers and arterial ulcers. The emphasis will be on current research findings and guidelines for care, especially those used by regulatory agencies. The participant will become familiar with wound assessment; pressure ulcer staging; documentation of wound status; identification of factors contributing to delayed healing; selection of appropriate topical agents and dressings for wound management; and indications for referral. Those who complete the course will receive a completion certificate and continuing education credits.

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 Application/Scholarship Details

A Baccalaureate Degree is required for admission to the ten-week, six-week, and distance learning programs; RNs with a Baccalaureate in a field other than nursing must document coursework or experience in health assessment, research and statistics, leadership and management, and community health nursing. Please click here for application details and links to downloadable applications as well as the requisite health form.

Scholarships are available through the WOCN; for a downloadable PDF of the application, please click here (you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and download PDF files). Once completed, the application must be mailed to and received by the WOCN National Office by May 1st or November 1st, 2005. Applications may be submitted before the particular program begins, during the program, or by the first application deadline immediately following graduation.

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