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What Does a Wound Care Nurse Do?

Wound care nurses, often referred to as wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurses, are registered nurse specialists in the treatment of patients who have sustained wounds due to injury, ulcers, diseases, or postoperative treatments, such as catheterizations. They not only provide wound care to patients, but they are also educators, instructing patients and caregivers about how to care for wounds at home. They may work in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities, nursing homes, or physician offices.

Education & Training Required to Work in Wound Care Nursing

Because wound care nursing involves a specialized skill set, it generally requires that practitioners be registered nurses--which can be achieved with a diploma, an associate degree, or bachelor's degree (preferred)--as well as complete a formal, accredited WOC training program. There are currently nine WOC Nursing Education Programs that are accredited by The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society; following this, you could complete an exam to earn formal certification. Clinical nursing experience is also a common requirement.

Opting for an online degree program enables you to earn your clinical experience while completing your wound care training at times that work with your schedule.

Typical Characteristics of a Wound Care Nurse

Like any registered nurse, a wound care nurse must be nurturing, sympathetic, and able to offer comfort to frightened patients of all ages, many of whom are in severe pain or duress due to their wounds. The ability to handle highly stressful situations is a must, as are strong communication skills, as their effective communication about wound care to patients and caregivers must be exact to ensure the right treatment will be administered.

High Demand for Wound Care Nurses

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that registered nurse jobs will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. While the BLS doesn't specifically track wound care nursing jobs, it does indicate that because patients are being discharged earlier, and because the aging baby boomer population is increasingly interested in being treated at home, the demand for wound care nurses and the education they provide to patients should grow.

Registered nurses earned a median annual salary of $62,450 in 2008, and nurses with specialty certifications and higher education levels typically earn the highest salaries.