Wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nursing is a specialty focused on providing acute and rehabilitative care to people with gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), and integumentary (skin) system wounds and disorders.
What do wound, ostomy, and continence nurses do?
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WOC nurses manage abdominal stomas, wounds, fistulas, drains, pressure injuries, and continence disorders. WOC nurses work to prevent and manage pressure injuries; clean wounds; help ulcers, abscesses, and feeding tube sites heal; and develop wound treatment care plans.
What do wound, ostomy, and continence nurses need to know?
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Like other nursing specialties, a profession in WOC nursing requires an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, keen assessment and monitoring skills, vast knowledge about GI, GU and skin diseases and conditions, and ongoing education related to recommended treatment options.
More wound, ostomy, and continence nursing resources
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- Nursing Pocket Cards, including negative pressure wound therapy and ostomy management
- Blog posts, with infographics, mnemonics, tips, and more
- Journals
- Articles and nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) activities
- Headlines and news stories
- Society partners