Required education
BSN
Average annual salary
$57k–$97k
Attributes
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You’ll also provide post-surgery treatment for patients with ostomies, surgical openings that allow for the elimination of bodily waste.
What you’ll do
Collaboration
You’ll work with a healthcare team to decide on next steps, such as antibiotics, surgery and other treatments.
Documentation
You’ll maintain records for health insurance purposes.
Education
You’ll teach patients and caregivers about wound care, and how to prevent bedsores and infections.
Treatment
You’ll care for wounds, prevent bedsores and develop treatment plans for patients.
Where you’ll work
- Hospitals
- Home health care
- Long-term care centers
- Nursing homes
How to become a Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse
01
Get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.
03
Get your Wound, Ostomy, Continence and/or Foot Care and/or Advanced Practice and/or Wound Treatment Associate Certification
through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Certification Board.
04
You’re ready to work as a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
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