Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse – Career and Education Profile

Find Your Degree

Complete this form and we will match you with a school that offers the degree you’re interested in.

Nurses who work in the field of wound, ostomy and continence (WOC) nursing deal with patients who have wounds, which are often chronic.

Job Responsibilities

The type of tasks you’ll do on a daily basis depend on the specific patients you’re seeing and their medical conditions. In general, you’ll treat and assess wounds, which could include skin conditions, bedsores, abscesses, wounds from feeding tubes, surgical incisions, and more. as the name implies, this field of nursing also deals with patients who have bowl and bladder problems. Along with providing care, some of the tasks you could do include recording vital signs, tracking patient progress, educating the patient on home care, and speaking with family members about treatment options. Pain management is also an important part of WOC nursing, and you’ll have to continuously look for infection so it can be treated as quickly as possible.

Salary and Career Options

As a WOC nurse, your salary will depend on your level of education, location, employer, and experience. In general, RNs in this field make about $60,000, but you can earn more if you become an advance practice nurse. You can also consider becoming a legal nurse consultant after you’ve gained experience in this field, as many cases deal with allegations of nursing home abuse evident by bedsores, wounds that are the result of assault, and more.

Educational Requirements

WOC nurses can get started as LPNs, though many employers are more interested in hiring RNs for this job, as you’ll have more advanced education in the field. After earning your RN certification and either going through a dedication WOC nursing program or working in the field for several months, you can apply for certification as a WOC nurses from the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board; the National Alliance of Wound Care; or the American Academy of Wound Management.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.