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The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute is proud to announce the launch of its latest online educational course: the PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course. This comprehensive program is meticulously designed to equip Personal Support Workers (PSW), Healthcare Assistants, and Caregivers with the knowledge necessary to address skin health challenges adeptly. Skin health is paramount in patient care, particularly for individuals dealing with Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD), skin tears, and pressure injuries. Recognizing the pivotal role PSWs, Healthcare Assistants, and Caregivers play in preventing skin breakdown and wounds, this course is tailored to empower frontline healthcare professionals with targeted education in those key areas. Course Overview: The fully-online program comprises four modules, allowing participants to commence at their convenience and progress at their own pace over approximately 6 weeks: Unit 1: Maintaining Skin Health Unit 2: Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD) Unit 3: Pressure Injuries Unit 4: Skin Tears Course Outcomes: Registration Information: Registration for the PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course is now open at https://www.wocinstitute.ca/psw. To stay informed and be among the first to register, please email chair@wocinstitute.ca. For further information, please contact Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc, Academic Chair of the WOC Institute, at chair@wocinstitute.ca. About the WOC Institute: The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute is committed to providing state-of-the-art, accessible online learning communities for registered nurses and allied healthcare professionals. Our mission is to promote specialized knowledge, skills, and judgment in wound, ostomy, and continence care. About Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Canada (NSWOCC): NSWOCC, a registered charity, serves over 600 nurses specialized in wound, ostomy, and continence care. It advocates for high standards in nursing practice, education, research, and administration, aiming to achieve quality specialized nursing care. Contact Information: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute: 1-877-614-1262 | chair@wocinstitute.ca | www.wocinstitute.ca Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC): 1-888-739-5072 | office@nswoc.ca

Can you believe it? It's that time of the year once more! The registration deadlines for the upcoming cohorts of our SWAN™ and NSWOC® programs are rapidly approaching. To enhance your expertise and bolster your capabilities as a nurse leader, secure your spot before Friday, May 31st, 2024. Unsure about which program is the best fit for you? Discover more about each program below! The Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program For practical nurses and diploma RNs who aspire to become respected nurse leaders and integral members of their organization’s wound, ostomy, and continence leadership team, the CNA-accredited Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program is the only program in Canada that offers: competency and evidence-informed advanced knowledge in wound, ostomy and continence management confidence to transfer that knowledge into practice; recognition and respect for your competencies through the nationally recognized SWAN™ designation and continuous learning and lifelong support through mentorship and collaboration in a SWAN™-Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) team. SWAN™s are uniquely recognized for their advanced knowledge and their contributions as wound, ostomy and continence nurse champions in their workplaces and communities across Canada. The NSWOC® Program The WOC Institute’s flagship program is our Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) Program. The NSWOC Program is a state of the art, paced, 12-month, online program which prepares BN/BScN’s for the role of a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®). RN applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in another area are also eligible to apply for the program. The final exam for the program is the Canadian Nurses Associate (CNA) certification exam, which, upon achievement, enables the NSWOC to use the credential WOCC(C). NSWOCs are sources of specialized knowledge for interdisciplinary health care teams, best practice and protocol development, research, and more. The NSWOC graduate leads Wound, Ostomy and Continence teams, including SWAN and Skin Health graduates, and has the knowledge, skills, and judgement to manage complex patient issues in the areas of Wounds, Ostomy and Continence. So, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of these great course offerings and register today, before it's too late!

NSWOCC is thrilled to unveil the launch of three prestigious "Emerging Leaders" Awards, set to be presented at our highly anticipated NSWOCC 43rd National Conference Banquet and WOC Institute Graduation Ceremony on May 4, 2024, in Calgary, AB. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who have generously supported these awards, thereby nurturing the future of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence specialty in Canada. Application Deadline: April 15, 2024 2SLGBTQIA+ Nurses Award ($500) The 2SLGBTQIA+ Nurses Award is a momentous recognition and financial grant designed to honor the achievements and aspirations of students who identify themselves as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and are actively pursuing education in the Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOC) Program or Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program. This award celebrates the diversity, resilience, and dedication within the 2SLGBTQIA+ nursing community while providing vital support to those aspiring to make a positive impact in wound, ostomy, and continence patient care. Sponsored by Perfuse Medtec Inc. Black Nurses Award ($500) The Black Nurses Award stands as a distinguished recognition and financial prize, aiming to celebrate the achievements and aspirations of Black students enrolled in the Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOC) Program or Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program. This award acknowledges the dedication, resilience, and potential of Black nursing students who are committed to making a positive impact in the realm of wound, ostomy, and continence patient care. Sponsored by Perfuse Medtec Inc. Nurses of Colour Award ($500) The Nurses of Colour Award is a prestigious recognition and financial grant, aimed at honoring the achievements and aspirations of students of colour enrolled in the Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOC) Program or Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program. This award celebrates the dedication, resilience, and potential of students of colour who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the field of wound, ostomy, and continence patient care. Sponsored by NSWOCC

Modules & Course Length Registration & Costs Register now! PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute is proud to announce the launch of its latest online educational course: the PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course. This comprehensive program is meticulously designed to equip Personal Support Workers (PSW), Healthcare Assistants, and Caregivers with the knowledge necessary to address skin health challenges adeptly. Skin health is paramount in patient care, particularly for individuals dealing with Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD), skin tears, and pressure injuries. Recognizing the pivotal role PSWs, Healthcare Assistants, and Caregivers play in preventing skin breakdown and wounds, this course is tailored to empower frontline healthcare professionals with targeted education in those key areas. Are you a Personal Support Worker (PSW), Healthcare Assistant, or Caregiver dedicated to improving your skin health knowledge? Register now! Modules and Course Length The fully-online program comprises four modules, allowing participants to commence at their convenience and progress at their own pace over approximately 6 weeks: ​ Course Modules Unit 1: Maintaining Skin Health Unit 2: Moisture-Associated Skin Damage Unit 3: Pressure Injuries Unit 4: Skin Tears Course Length 6 weeks self-paced, online Rolling start, start at anytime Course Outcomes 01 Comprehensive Understanding of Skin Health: Increase your understanding of factors influencing skin health. Gain insights into the crucial role of skin health in overall patient care. 02 Strategies for Maintaining and Restoring Skin Health Boost your knowledge of effective strategies to maintain and restore skin health. Acquire practical skills to integrate into your caregiving routines. 03 Management and Prevention of Skin Injuries: Explore the causes, management, and prevention of common skin injuries, including MASD, skin tears, and pressure injuries. Enhance your ability to provide proactive and preventative care. 04 Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Elevate your ability to work seamlessly within interdisciplinary, interprofessional healthcare teams. Develop a holistic approach to patient care. 05 Virtual Mentorship: Access virtual mentorship with our team of CNA certified NSWOCs. Gain personalized guidance and support throughout your learning journey. Registration Process Step 1: Start your registration Registration is quick and easy! When you're ready to begin the course, simply click on the "Register now" button below. This will bring you to a site called Dual Code, which we use to host our on-demand courses. Register now! Step 2: Create a free a ccount You will be redirected to the Dual Code platform. If you don't have an existing account, click on the "Sign Up" or "Create Account" option. Enter your email address (used as a username) and a password. After creating your Dual Code account, you will be directed to the Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute course page. Create an account Step 3: Purchase the c ourse On the course page, click "Purchase Course" After clicking "purchase course", you will be presented with 3 payment options: a) Pay for yourself only, b) Pay for everyone in your organization at a group rate, or c) Pay for a specific number of users. ​Click on the "Checkout" button to proceed to the payment confirmation page. Sign into your account Step 4: Begin the course After successful payment, you will gain access to the enrolled course. Begin the course at your convenience by following the provided instructions. Sign into your account Step 5: Course Completion Progress through the course content at your own pace. Upon completion, you will automatically receive a certificate of completion. Congratulations! Thank you for choosing the WOC Institute to advance your career in wound, ostomy, and/or continence care. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our support team. Sign into your account Costs & Tuition: Total $50 $50 Course Fee Applied at the end of the registration process. $110 Optional Wound Textbook: If you would like to enhance your learning, you may purchase an optional Wound textbook at approximately $110.00 . ​ Bara noski, S. & Ayello, E. A. (2016). Wound Care Essentials: Practice Principles 4th Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer ​ You may order your textbooks through the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute Bookstore: lb.ca/wocinstitute .

Raising the standard for wound, ostomy and continence education in Canada: Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) NSWOC® Program Graduates are now eligible for formal credits towards a Master of Advanced Practice (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Specialization) online through Curtin University, Perth, Australia. ​ Applications are open for 2024. Learn more WOC Institute News WOC Institute 24 minutes ago 2 min Introducing the PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course: Empowering Healthcare Professionals for Enhanced Patient Care This program is meticulously designed to equip PSWs and Caregivers with the knowledge necessary to address skin health challenges adeptly. 71 Post not marked as liked WOC Institute Apr 30 2 min One month left to register for our SWAN™ and NSWOC® programs! The registration deadlines for the upcoming cohorts of our SWAN™ and NSWOC® programs are rapidly approaching - register by May 31st! 30 Post not marked as liked WOC Institute Mar 29 2 min Announcing Three New Emerging Leaders Awards! NSWOCC is thrilled to unveil the launch of three prestigious "Emerging Leaders" Awards 22 Post not marked as liked WOC Institute Mar 22 3 min Apply now for a WOC Institute Award! Applications for a wide variety of WOC Institute Awards are open until April 15th, 2024. Apply now before it's too late! 40 Post not marked as liked 1 2 3 4 5 Which program is best for you? Baccalaureate-Prepared Registered Nurses NSWOC Program (WOC-EP) Practical Nurses and Diploma Registered Nurses Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program Paramedics Paramedic Wound Care Associate Course NSWOCs, SWANs, or certain other Healthcare Professionals* Advanced Wound Debridement Course Industry Members Industry Skin Wellness Associate (ISWA) Program All Healthcare Professionals Wound and Ostomy Management Courses Programs & Courses Overview Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) Program Offered in English & French A state of the art, paced, 12-month, online program offered in English and French, which prepares baccalaureate registered nurses for the role of a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) and certification (WOCC (C)) for Wound, Ostomy and Continence through the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). Learn more Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program Offered in English only Become a wound, ostomy and continence champion and nurse leader. Advance your knowledge by becoming a Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™). Our CNA accredited SWAN™ program is designed by nurses for nurses (Diploma RNs, Practical Nurses) who aspire to advance their wound, ostomy, and continence skills. Learn more Industry Skin Wellness Associate (ISWA) Program Offered in English only Designed specifically for industry partners who want to strengthen their ability to collaborate with healthcare professionals and to achieve the new gold standard for industry education in the areas of wound, ostomy, and continence. Learn more Advanced Wound Debridement Course (PES) Offered in English only This unique program offers healthcare practitioners the foundation to develop and enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge when managing complex, hard to heal wounds that require debridement. At the end of this course, learners will have advanced debridement knowledge beyond the WOC-EP/ SWAN programs. Learn more Wound Management Course (PES) Offered in English only During this 6-week, self-paced, online course you will: Increase your knowledge related to evidence-based wound care Improve your ability to advocate for patients with wound related issues Enhance your ability to collaborate with wound care specialists Have access to virtual mentorship and knowledge consolidation opportunities with our team of CNA certified NSWOCs Learn more Ostomy Management Course (PES) Offered in English only During this 6-week, self-paced, online course you will: Increase your knowledge related to evidence-based ostomy care Improve your ability to advocate for patients with ostomy related issues Enhance your ability to collaborate with ostomy care specialists Have access to virtual mentorship and knowledge consolidation opportunities with our team of CNA certified NSWOCs Learn more Paramedic Wound Care Associates (PWA) Course Offered in English only This state-of-the-art course is designed to provide community care paramedics with the ability to provide optimal wound care in collaboration with an interprofessional team. Learn more 2SLGBTQIA+ Basics for Health Care Professionals Offered in English only We believe that education is a key factor in promoting inclusivity and equality. That’s why we created our 2SLGBTQIA+ course for Health Care Professionals – providing health care professionals with the knowledge and tools to provide competent care to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This course is designed to be completed at your own pace, making it easier for even the busiest professionals to gain valuable insights and understanding. Learn more Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute The Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute is wholly owned and operated by the association of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®). Our tri-specialty of wound, ostomy and continence nursing is unique, and we strive to improve the lives of those patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence. The WOC Institute also strives to support those who have chosen this dynamic and evolving field by providing nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals with comprehensive online education programs and skills-based training in wound, ostomy and continence care, given them with the tools necessary to progress their nursing careers and become an essential part of Canada’s healthcare system. The WOC Institute’s flagship program is the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Program (WOC-EP) for baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurses. The WOC-EP is the only program in Canada whose graduates become Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®), and are able to write the CNA certification exam for Wound, Ostomy and Continence. The WOC Institute’s educational programs are delivered by a team of highly knowledgeable and dedicated nurse leaders who are Canadian Association of Nurses (CNA) certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence.

Application Process Application Checklist Recognition of Prior Learning Costs & Tuition NSWOC® Program (WOC-EP) Application Information Who can apply? Acceptance into the program is competitive. Eligible applicants must be Baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurses with at least 2 years of full-time employment in the last 3 years as a Registered Nurse, in a clinically relevant area of practice. Applications are received twice per year in the English program and once per year in the French program. Apply today! Start your application Important Dates and Deadlines Students MUST begin with the Ostomy Management course as the first course of each cohort. Acceptance into the program is competitive. Applications are received twice per year in the English program and once per year in the French program. ​ Offers of admission will be emailed within two weeks of the application deadline date. Cohorte Date limite d'inscription Cours Date de début du cours Date de fin du cours Le préceptorat peut commencer Fall Cohort (English and French) 31/05/2024 Ostomy Management Late August Mid-December Mid-October Fall Cohort (English and French) 31/05/2024 Wound Management Early May Late August Mid-July Fall Cohort (English and French) 31/05/2024 Continence Management Early January Late April Mid-March Winter Cohort 31/10/2024 Ostomy Management Early January Late April Mid-March Winter Cohort 31/10/2024 Wound Management Late August Mid-December Mid-October Winter Cohort 31/10/2024 Continence Management Early May Late August Mid-July Application Process Step 1 Register as a WOC-EP Student Associate Make sure to enter your full contact and work information. Your personal email will be the email you'll use to log into your membership account in the future. ​ The personal information collected during application and maintained as part of a student’s records will be used for the purposes of admission, registration, and issuing receipts, graduation certificates and for NSWOC Program research and planning. Contact information will also be disclosed to NSWOCC for the purpose of providing membership information. Personal information will not be shared with any other business or organization. Click here to register Step 2 Register for the NSWOC Program After you've completed your WOC-EP Student Registration, click on "Register for Courses" in the left-hand sidebar. Sign into your account Step 3 Find the course & cohort, then "Add " and "Register " You will be shown all the current courses available. Please locate the course(s) you wish to register for (in your preferred language) and click the Add button. Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Register . Sign into your account Step 4 Pay the $50 Application Fee After you click Register, you will be brought to a page to pay your registration fee. Please complete this then continue back to the main page of your membership account. Sign into your account Step 5 Complete the course prerequisites Once you return to your membership account, click on "Review my course registrations", in the left-hand sidebar then complete the pre-requisites by clicking each item in the checklist. ​ For those items that require copies of scanned documents, you can upload them within the main Members area page by clicking "Upload Documents to NSWOCC" and following the instructions. Sign into your account Step 6 Pay for your course tuition fee Once all your prerequisites have been submitted, your application will be submitted to our review board. You will be notified if your application is approved or declined. Once your application is approved, you will then need to make payment(s) for your course tuition fee(s). This can also be done in the "Review my Course Registrations" section of the Members area, similar to how you paid for your registration fee. ​ If your course consists of multiple sessions, you have the option to pay for one or more sessions and to leave other sessions to be paid at a later date. Please be sure to pay for your course/session before the payment deadline date to ensure your seat is kept. Sign into your account ApplicationChecklist Application Checklist Entrance to the program is competitive. After you register with NSWOCC as a WOC-EP Student Associate, please follow the application procedures carefully, and complete and submit all materials for application by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Evidence of successful academic achievement in the completion of a Baccalaureate Degree in nursing or related field. ​ Transcripts are to be scanned and uploaded with the application. Transcripts must be from an accredited institution. The transcript must show that you were granted, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree. For programs outside of Canada, students must submit all formal equivalency testing. ​ Eligible applicants must be baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurses (or equivalent) with clinically relevant experience (for example: medical surgical nursing, clinical home care nursing, spinal cord rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation etc.). A RN who does not have a university baccalaureate degree may still can apply for the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) program . ​ Please note– Applicants who completed their Baccalaureate Degree outside of Canada or the United States must submit a formal credential evaluation completed by a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluation Service. ​ If transcripts are being mailed, please mail to: NSWOCC National Office 66 Leopolds Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1V 7E3 Current Resume Your resume should include the following: Your name appears at the top of each page Formal educational achievements (most recent listed first), including any credentials (degrees, certificates, diplomas, etc.) awarded Other training/educational experiences (for example, courses, workshops, etc.) that relate to Specialized Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Professional employment history (most recent listed first), with enough detail to adequately describe the experiences and your level of responsibility including total full-time years as a Registered Nurse Publications, professional presentations, and research activities; Membership and leadership involvement in professional organizations and governance activities (for example, participation in work committees); Grants, scholarships and awards you have received; and Your volunteer, important hobby and community activities. Proof of valid RN license Proof of valid RN license for the year you are applying for the program. Please do not send your RN certificate. Completion of the following professional practice questions (max 250 words per question) What is your vision of advanced nursing practice in the 21st century? Why have you chosen Specialized Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing and what factors influenced this choice? How has your nursing career prepared you for Specialized Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing and what factors influenced this choice? What are your professional and educational goals? How do you expect this NSWOC program will help you to achieve them? Physical Performance checklist You will find this Physical performance checklist by clicking the following link: https://membersnswoc.ca/physical_performance_checklist.phtml Two references One from previous educators, managers or a professional colleague. We need two different references of the three mentioned (i.e. one supervisor and one professional colleague). Access the reference form at: https://membersnswoc.ca/reference.phtml Proof of Criminal Screening Although the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute does not require proof of Criminal Screening, some facilities in which students will complete their clinical preceptorships may require proof of a criminal screening. Students are advised to contact the Preceptor Coordinator regarding proof of criminal screening. Policies & Forms Recognition of Prior Learning RECONNAISSANCE DES ACQUIS NSWOC Program (WOC-EP) Policies Politiques du programme ISPSC (PF-PSC) Costs & Tuition: Total $5,446 $5,250 Program Fee (Academic Tuition) If accepted into the WOC-EP program, students will have the option to pay the full program fee of $5,250 at the beginning of the program and prior to the continence and wound courses of the WOC-EP Program. Payment instalments can be arranged by contacting registrar@wocinstitute.ca . $46 JWOCN Subscription All Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute students are also required to purchase a subscription to the Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing (JWOCN) for a fee of $46, which is added on to your NSWOCC Registration Fee during the registration process. $100 NSWOCC Registration Fee All Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute students must become associate members of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Canada (NSWOCC) by registering as a "WOC-EP Student Student Associate " during the application process for a fee of $100. This associate membership fee provides access to the discussion forum, a national conference discount, the NSWOCC and more (click here to view the full list of benefits ). ​ If students are not accepted into the WOC-EP program they may contact the program administrator at registrar@wocinstitute.ca to request a refund for their $100 associate membership fee. $50 Application Fee All Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute students will also pay a $50 non-refundable application fee during the application process. Ensure you have all your information readily available prior to starting the application. E.g. contact information of references. Is the NSWOC Program right for you? Learn in small classes with flexible enrolment, building strong relationships with colleagues and specialists from across Canada online and in clinical settings. Care to be the best by graduating from the most rigorous academic and clinical wound, ostomy and continence education program available (225 hours of supervised clinical placement). Lead wound, ostomy and continence management in any Canadian Healthcare setting including acute care, rehabilitation, community care and long-term care. Eligible Applicants Acceptance into the program is competitive. Eligible applicants must be Baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurses with at least 2 years of full-time employment in the last 3 years as a Registered Nurse, in a clinically relevant area of practice. Applications are received twice per year in the English program and once per year in the French program. Up