“We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation.” – Thomas Edison

As the inventor of the phonograph, the motion-picture camera and, of course, the electric light bulb, Edison took on plenty of challenges in his time.

For healthcare clinicians of today, one of the biggest challenges is chronic wounds, which include diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers and venous, arterial leg ulcers. An estimated 67 million people are suffering with chronic wounds across the globe and treatment costs are estimated to be in the billions.

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Have you ever wondered if getting wound care certification is necessary? The answer is not always that simple.

By Bill Richlen, PT, WCC, DWC

You need to first ask why you want to be certified.

Among the many valid reasons for seeking certification is the increase in your credibility with colleagues and patients. Certification also can provide career advancement opportunities in the wound care industry while ensuring better quality care for patients.

But does it always ensure quality care? Not necessarily.

Over the years, I have encountered clinicians with wound care certification practicing outdated, non-evidence based wound care treatments. That may seem outlandish, and you may be asking yourself, “How can that happen? Shouldn’t they know better?”

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Whether you’re new to wound care or have worked in the specialty for many years, clinicians who frequently encounter and treat wounds may ask themselves if earning a wound care certification is worth the time and effort.

Will wound care certification expand your knowledge and skills while enhancing professional growth and providing more career opportunities?

One wound care professional who is happy she decided to take the plunge and become certified is Barbara Petersen, RN, WCC, DWC, OMS, nursing coordination specialist in wound care at Adventist Health Central Valley Network in Hanford, Calif.

Petersen has been a nurse for 35 years, the past 11 of which have been in wound care. Prior to changing specialties, she worked 15 years in the ED, then five additional years as an ED/med-surg/SNF director simultaneously — reporting to two CNOs, and all while still working shifts in the ED. (more…)

What does it take to get WCC^® recertified? A little preparation goes a long way – here’s what you need to know.  

Earning your Wound Care Certified^® (WCC^®) credential is one of the best feelings in the world. Once the exam is behind you (what a relief!), you can take all that new knowledge back to your practice and continue making a positive impact in wound care.  So, it’s completely understandable how tempting it can be to delay even thinking about recertification.

But trust us when we tell you that planning and preparing ahead of time will make it so much easier in the long run. When you’re ready for the nitty-gritty, please consult the WCC^® Recertification Handbook. For now, let’s take a look at the basic – and surprisingly easy – steps of the WCC^® recertification process.

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