Preceptorship RequirementsAcquiring PreceptorsClinical Requirements

 Preceptorship Requirements

Those interested in the Split Option or Distance Learning programs will need to identify potential clinical preceptors in their geographic areas. Requirements for preceptors are:

		Baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing or Baccalaureate Degree in another field.
		Graduate of WOCN-accredited center.
		Current board certification in wound, ostomy, and/or continence care nursing.
		At least one-year of fulltime clinical experience as a CWOC, CWC, COC, and/or CCC Nurse.
		Current licensure as an RN.

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 Acquiring Preceptors

To assure exposure to different perspectives and the full scope of practice, the Emory WOCNEC requires students to have at least two preceptors and two clinical sites. Once the student has identified and contacted potential preceptors who then express interest and availability, the student must notify the WOCNEC office so that offsite preceptor applications can be sent to the potential preceptors. The projected preceptor plan and the preceptor information packet with application are available on this site.

Students will be notified when their preceptors are approved, at which point they will need to establish contracts for clinical instruction with the preceptors. The contract form can be downloaded here. After completing the contract, the student must send it to the preceptor for the appropriate signatures. Emory WOCNEC will assist throughout this process. The center maintains a listing of off-site clinical agencies here.

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 Clinical Requirements

Full-scope students are required to obtain 120 hours of clinical with an approved preceptor and specialty course students must obtain 40 hours per specialty course. In addition to needing a specific number of hours with approved preceptors, students' clinical experience must provide the following:

		Wound students: Experience with trunk wounds and lower extremity wounds. Most students need to arrange for experience in both an acute care or long-term care setting (for trunk wounds) and an outpatient wound clinic (for lower extremity wounds).
		Ostomy students: At least three-to-four days of focused ostomy clinical. The ideal option is to obtain experience with both standard and continent diversions; however, it can be difficult to arrange experience with continent diversions. Therefore, the required experience is with standard diversions.
		Continence students: A minimum of two days of clinical focused on restorative continence care (in-depth assessment, behavioral management, surgical intervention, biofeedback, etc.). If the student's primary clinicals sites do not provide such opportunities, the primary preceptor may be able to arrange appropriate learning experiences with clinicians/facilities in the student's area. In such cases, the coordinating preceptor must be certified in continence care and would need to assure that the student received appropriate clinical.

Please note that while it is necessary to have at least two preceptors, it is acceptable to have one preceptor who provides clinical in more than one area.

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