To obtain certification from any of these organizations, a candidate needs a prerequisite degree and license. A nurse must complete an educational program and obtain a state license as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse or nurse practitioner. Working in the nursing field under a state nursing license, she can pursue work experiences in wound care.
The National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC) offers four paths to qualify for the certification exam. These paths are education, certification, experience and preceptor training. Nurses should note that the second path, certification, includes recognition of a credential in wound care from either the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board or the American Academy of Wound Management. Upon qualifying for the exam, a nurse must pay a registration fee and pass the exam with a score of 70 percent.
The NAWC offers an education option to nurses with wound-care experience. A nurse can take a wound-care certification course and provide records of working in wound-care delivery, management, education or research. These records must cover two years of full-time work or four years of part-time work in the past five years. With the right experience and the certification course, a candidate can take the NAWC exam for national certification.
For a nurse who does not meet the requirements above, another option is to work with a preceptor or professional mentor certified by the NAWC. This professional provides a nurse who has completed a wound-management certification training course from an organization like the Wound Care Education Institute with 120 hours or more of clinical training. Clinical hours substitute for work experience.
This option is not for nurses with a credential from a two- or three-year nursing program. The American Academy of Wound Management requires a person to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in life sciences and three years of clinical experience in wound-care management. For a nurse without a bachelor of science in nursing degree, this means holding a four-year degree in life sciences and demonstrating three years of working as a nurse.
This organization offers an independent certification just for nurses. A nurse can prepare for this organization's certification exam by obtaining a free sample exam and a free outline of course content. Certification is available in all three areas; wound, ostomy and continence; two areas; or just one area, such as wound care certification.