What is a Wound Care Nurse? Nursing Specialty Spotlight on Wound Care
Medical facilities and healthcare units employ wound care nurses to treat wounds in patients. These wounds include but are not limited to surgical incisions, emergency room wounds, intensive care units, burn care units, nursing homes, and many other medical facilities. A wound care nurse’s role is integral to helping patients heal from complex wounds, depending on their condition and patient. Depending on their practice setting, they have varying responsibilities and help carry out patient care plans. The wound care nurse frequently works with patients with chronic skin breakdowns. Wound care nurses are in very high demand right now, and Nursa is helping them find PRN jobs in many cities in the United States.
Steps Needed to Become a Wound Care Nurse
After a registered nurse (RN) earns their Bachelor’s of Science (BSN) degree, they may decide to further their education and make the decision to specialize in getting certified in wound-care nursing. This process takes a few steps but is not too difficult to navigate. One of the first steps to becoming a wound care nurse is deciding which certification program to enter. Only a few are available, but the location and local policy of the healthcare facility someone wishes to use will determine if it is viable. It is crucial to research which is suitable for the hospital or healthcare facility someone is choosing. Some courses are in class, in a clinical setting, online, or a combination of all three. Some of the most widely accepted certification programs include:
- Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)
- American Board of Wound Management Certified Wound Specialist (ABWM)
The other alternative to getting certification is getting on-the-job and hands-on experience. A few health care facilities, such as medsurg units, long-term care facilities, operation rooms, critical care units, and physical therapy units, require nurses to complete around 1,500 hours of clinical experience and continuing education credits, plus a five-year renewal instead of certification. The certification route takes approximately two to three months and will cost around $400 per certification. The last step in becoming a wound care nurse is to pass the final exam. To see more information on wound care nurses and recommendations for more certifications for the wound care nursing specialty, visit the Nursa specialty page for wound care nurses here.
How to Decide If Becoming a Wound Care Nurse is Right for You
When determining if becoming a wound care nurse is a viable career choice, many options exist. Job growth and stability are the most relevant aspects to consider when choosing a career path. The number of people with wound care needs is growing, and many need professional assistance from wound care nurses. By 2030, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment in this job category will increase by 52%. Additionally, wound care specialists are often hired as PRN shift nurses in hospitals and other healthcare facilities worldwide. This is due to the considerable cost of wound treatment and increased demand for wound care nurses. The work environment is another critical factor to consider. Wound care nurses, when working full-time at healthcare facilities, don’t have a lot of choices of hours or length of shifts given to them, whereas PRN travel nurses cannot only choose which states and cities they want to work (as long as the correct licenses are obtained) but also which shift and how long of an assignment they would like to complete.
What is the Nursa Staffing Application?
Nursa is an application that helps travel wound care nurses connect with per diem shifts all around the US. Autonomy is one of the most valuable benefits of being a wound care nurse. The specialty is one of the few independent by adhering only to assessment protocols and has a lot of freedom within a clinical setting.
How to Find High-Paying PRN Jobs for Wound-Care Nurses
By downloading the Nursa application, wound care nurses are one step closer to having the time to find the most suitable PRN shifts in many healthcare facilities all over the nation. After downloading the application, a profile must be filled out and completed by adding professional details and necessary documentation. After the profile is complete, wound nurses can start searching for the shifts desired in the cities and facilities they want to work in. Download Nursa now and see how the freedom of selecting personal timeframes for shifts opens a new world to explore and learn.
