WOUND OSTOMY CONTINENCE NURSES SOCIETY

MISSION

We accomplish the mission by: 

• Providing leadership in establishing and advocating for standards of wound, ostomy, and continence care.
• Mentoring WOC nurses who desire skill development in specific areas, to be guided by experienced mentors as they implement their individual plans.
• Promoting ethical standards of practice in our membership.
• Providing a program of education to members, nursing communities, the general public, and health care institutions on the roles of WOC nurses and the special skills and knowledge required.
• Providing and recognizing the level of expertise designated by certification in wound, ostomy, and/or continence care within the community
• Partnering with organizations and institutions to reach nurses in practice and in training who may be interested in becoming a Wound Ostomy Continent nurse.
• Lending educational and practical expertise to patient support groups.
• Advocating on behalf of patients, members and medical professionals on issues affecting the care of wound, ostomy and continence patients.

The Values, Beliefs and Assumptions that govern our day-to-day performance and decision-making: 

• Our members demonstrate utmost integrity and expertise in providing high quality patient care by adhering to WOCN standards and placing the patient's health and well being first.
• We believe that wound and ostomy patients benefit the most when they receive timely care from a professional health care practitioner who has been trained in a WOCN accredited professional educational program to deliver the highest quality service.
• We believe that continuing education and certification of WOCN-NER members is the best way to assure the highest quality patient care.
• We assume patients expect to be treated by a nurse trained and skilled in providing wound, ostomy and continence care.
• We believe skill-building is a continuing process and through WOCN-NER educational programs and seminars, nurses who care for patients with wound, ostomy, and continence issues advance their learning and improve their skills.
• More general and specialty nurses are needed to meet the current and future demands.

VISION 

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE: 

• WOCN-NER's standards of practice are uniformly understood and accepted within the health care communities and uniformly applied by all who care for patients with wound, ostomy, and continence issues.  

ADVOCACY: 

• WOCN-NER partnered with other health care organizations in effectively advocating for higher quality and cost-effective healthcare on behalf of WOC nurses and wound, ostomy and continence patients. Payment and reimbursement for services are made on a timely basis covering all patient needs.  

MEMBERSHIP: 

• WOCN-NER membership significantly increased through an effective marketing plan aimed at educating BSN-level nurses and student nurses/interns about the benefits of selecting the WOC specialty. An "alumni" association of retired WOCN members is created and actively involved in programs to increase membership.  

EDUCATION: 

• All nurses in the region who are currently, or will be engaged in providing services to wound, ostomy and continence patients have the necessary skills developed through WOCN-NER educational programs.
• Courses in WOCN certification are conducted regularly nationwide.
• Every emergency room will be staffed with nurses trained in wound, ostomy and continence patient care.
• WOC nurses consult with the majority of ostomy patients prior to surgery.
• WOCN-NER conferences and educational programs are well-organized, high quality, affordable and well attended. Over the next five years, WOCN conferences have a minimum of 25% attendance from other health-related organization. Presenters meet high standards and seek out opportunities to participate in WOCN-NER conferences.
• A cadre of senior WOCN-NER members, trained as mentors is available to accommodate all members who need and desire a mentoring relationship.
• The general public is informed about wound, ostomy and continence issues through WOCN-NER educational and publicity programs, and through patient support groups.

GOVERNANCE: 

• The WOCN-NER Board of Directors is staffed with qualified, oriented and trained volunteers assigned manageable tasks who perform their responsibilities as members of an effective and efficient team.
• Operational accountability system is in place and all WOCN-NER's goals and objectives are tracked, measured and evaluated.
• A well-organized and accountable financial resource management system generates sufficient resources to carry out the goals and objectives of the organization.
• WOCN-NER images are well-known and respected in the health care community and the general public.

CARING AND RESPECT: 

• WOCN-NER members treat all patients with dignity, love and care.  

QUALITY: 

• WOCN-NER members are experts at providing

  

  the highest quality of care to all wound, ostomy and continence patients.  

COMMITMENT: 

• WOCN-NER members have a unique job to do in the nursing profession and approach that job as a special "calling". 

ETHICS: 

• WOCN-NER members maintain the highest ethical practices according to a strict code of ethics.