WOCN Nursing: Providing Knowledge of a Special Calling

VCUHS is a 779 bed Level 1 trauma center located in Richmond, Virginia. The Wound Care Team (WCT) is a nursing consult service consisting of 7.0 FTE's (5.5 clinical nurses, a part-time manager and a full-time program support assistant). The volume and complexity of patient consults has increased annually. Much of each day is spent at the patient's bedside evaluating complex wounds, new and challenging ostomies and fistulas, and other skin and soft tissue impairments of various etiologies.

Despite the high volume of patient encounters, education of all levels of staff remains a priority. Classes taught by the WCT include: General Care Basics for all new employees, advanced wound care for Critical Care Core classes, Diabetes Core, UHC Nurse Residency Program, and quarterly education for unit-based CSI team (Champions of Skin Integrity). On-line education modules and classroom lectures have been developed for all levels of nursing staff addressing pressure ulcer prevention. Ostomy and wound care lectures are provided for physicians, staff nurses and student nurses in 2 schools of nursing. In addition, the WCT provides 90-225 hour rotations for graduate nursing students on advanced wound care. Reciprocal student projects benefit the WCT's short-term goals.

Biannually the Wound Care Team presents a one day education program for the healthcare professionals in the community, “Stepping Stones to Excellence in Wound Care”. Drawing attendees not only regionally, but also from abroad, it is the largest conference sponsored by VCUHS.

Recently, the WCT has embarked on a project to enhance growth within the team itself called “Advancing the Practice”. Empowering through education is the pathway improving clinical decision-making, enhancing communication and implementing evidence-based practice into everyday practice at VCUHS.