The Cleveland Clinic’s R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Nursing Education Program stands as a beacon of excellence in specialized nursing education. Established over six decades ago, it holds the distinction of being the world’s first WOC nursing program, setting the gold standard for training in this vital healthcare field. This program equips Registered Nurses with the expertise to play a crucial role in the comprehensive care of patients requiring wound, ostomy, and continence management.
Understanding WOC Nursing and Its Importance
Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Nursing is a specialized area within nursing focused on the care of individuals with a variety of complex needs. These include patients with abdominal stomas, chronic and acute wounds, pressure injuries, urinary and fecal incontinence, and related skin conditions. WOC nurses are highly sought after across diverse medical specialties, including colorectal surgery, urology, pediatrics, oncology, and rehabilitation. Their specialized knowledge and skills make them invaluable assets in various healthcare settings, from hospitals and outpatient clinics to home care, extended care facilities, private practices, industry, research, and nursing education.
With nearly a million individuals in North America living with ostomies and approximately 70,000 new ostomy surgeries performed annually, the demand for skilled WOC nurses is significant and growing. Cleveland Clinic recognized early on the unique needs of patients with ostomies, fistulas, pressure ulcers/injuries, and incontinence, leading to the pioneering of the Enterostomal Therapy (ET) Program, now known as the esteemed Wound, Ostomy Continence (WOC) Nursing Education Program.
Why Choose to Become a WOC Nurse Through Cleveland Clinic?
A career in WOC nursing offers numerous professional and personal rewards. WOC nurses are in high demand nationwide and globally, across the entire spectrum of healthcare environments, including hospitals, home healthcare agencies, long-term care facilities, outpatient centers, private practices, research institutions, and educational programs.
Becoming a WOC nurse offers compelling advantages:
- Enhanced Earning Potential: WOC nurses often command higher salaries due to their specialized skills and the high demand for their expertise.
- Professional Recognition and Prestige: The title of RN WOC Nurse carries significant professional prestige, reflecting advanced training and specialized knowledge.
- Path to Certification: Graduates are eligible to pursue certification through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), further validating their expertise.
- Continuing Education Opportunities: The program provides continuing nursing education contact hours that can be applied towards state licensing requirements, ensuring ongoing professional development.
- Deep Personal Fulfillment: WOC nursing offers the profound personal satisfaction of providing comprehensive, individualized care to patients with complex and often sensitive healthcare needs, making a tangible difference in their quality of life.
A Legacy of Innovation: The Cleveland Clinic WOC Nursing Program History
The roots of the Cleveland Clinic WOC Nursing Education Program trace back to 1958. Dr. Rupert B. Turnbull, Jr., a pioneering colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, discovered Norma Gill, a former ileostomy patient, providing support to stoma patients in her community. Recognizing her unique ability and compassion, Dr. Turnbull offered her a position at Cleveland Clinic, establishing her as the world’s first full-time enterostomal therapist and coining the very term “enterostomal therapy.”
Together, Dr. Turnbull and Norma Gill established the first formal training program for enterostomal therapy, which evolved into the R.B. Turnbull Jr., MD Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Education Program. This pioneering program laid the foundation for the WOC nursing specialty as we know it today.
Alt text: Norma Gill, the first enterostomal therapist, compassionately assists a patient with stoma care, showcasing early patient education in wound ostomy continence nursing.
In 1968, inspired by Dr. Turnbull, twelve of the program’s initial graduates convened and established the North American Association of Enterostomal Therapists. The following year, the organization held its inaugural convention at Cleveland Clinic. Today, this organization is known as the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), a testament to the enduring legacy of the Cleveland Clinic program, and it continues to host annual conferences that shape the future of WOC nursing.
For over sixty-four years, Cleveland Clinic’s WOC Nursing Education Program has remained at the forefront of WOC nursing education, graduating over 2,000 individuals who are now practicing WOC specialists worldwide. The program’s enduring reputation is built upon its rich history, rigorous curriculum, and the expertise of its faculty.
The program’s instructors are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in WOC nursing practice and education, representing diverse healthcare settings. The WOC Nursing Education Program actively collaborates with other WOC nurses to continuously enhance and expand WOC nursing education opportunities.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Extensive Clinical Exposure
The Cleveland Clinic WOC Nursing Education Program is distinguished by several key features that contribute to its exceptional quality and global recognition.
World’s First WOC Program:
- Cleveland Clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Rupert B. Turnbull, Jr., and Norma Gill Thompson, pioneered the Enterostomal Therapy Program, now the foundation of modern WOC Nursing.
- Established over 64 years ago, Cleveland Clinic’s WOC program is the first of its kind globally, leading the way in specialized nursing education.
- An impressive number of WOC nurse specialists worldwide—approximately 2,000 out of 6,000—are graduates of the Cleveland Clinic program, highlighting its global impact and reach.
Extensive Clinical Immersion:
- Cleveland Clinic’s vast patient population provides students with unparalleled exposure to a wide spectrum of medical conditions and treatment modalities.
- Students gain invaluable hands-on experience working alongside experienced WOC nurses, providing direct patient care for individuals with intestinal and urinary stomas, urinary and fecal incontinence, pressure injuries, cutaneous fistulas, and various other skin conditions.
Accreditation and Recognition:
- The program is fully accredited by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), ensuring adherence to the highest standards of WOC nursing education.
- Cleveland Clinic Enterprise holds joint accreditation from esteemed bodies such as the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), signifying its commitment to providing high-quality continuing education.
- The program is approved by the Allied Health & Education Council of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation* and recognized by The World Council of Enterostomal Therapists, further solidifying its credibility and global recognition.
Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education’s joint accreditation underscores its dedication to enhancing patient care through comprehensive continuing education for the entire healthcare team.
Expert Faculty:
The program boasts a faculty of tri-specialty board-certified WOC nurses, bringing a wealth of clinical and academic expertise to the program.
- Kelly Jaszarowski MSN, RN, CNS, ANP, CWOCN, Program Director, brings over 30 years of WOC nursing and healthcare education experience. A respected speaker and author, she is a Past President of both the Mid-East Region and national WOCN®. Ms. Jaszarowski has been a vital part of the WOC Nursing Education Program team since 2013.
Alt text: Kelly Jaszarowski, Program Director of Cleveland Clinic’s WOC Nursing Education Program, a highly experienced and board-certified WOC nurse educator.
- Patricia Slachta, PhD, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN, Assistant Program Director, contributes over 35 years of WOC nursing and education expertise. Dr. Slachta is a frequent lecturer and author in the field and has held leadership positions in numerous nursing organizations.
Alt text: Patricia Slachta, Assistant Program Director for the WOC Nursing Education Program at Cleveland Clinic, a PhD-prepared and board-certified WOC nurse with decades of experience.
- Mike Klements, RN, MSN, CWOCN, Clinical Instructor, offers over 5 years of specialized WOC nursing and education experience, complemented by prior experience in nursing management and pediatric nursing.
Alt text: Mike Klements, Clinical Instructor within Cleveland Clinic’s Wound Care program, a WOC nurse educator with a background in pediatric nursing and healthcare management.
Flexible Online Curriculum for Working Professionals
The online WOC Nursing Education Program leverages advanced technology to deliver the WOCN®-accredited curriculum through an engaging and interactive virtual learning environment. This flexible format enables students to gain the essential knowledge and skills for providing evidence-based clinical care, psychological support, discharge planning, rehabilitative counseling, and follow-up care to patients, all while accommodating their busy schedules.
The comprehensive online curriculum encompasses key areas of WOC nursing practice:
- Professional Practice Concepts in WOC Nursing
- Acute & Chronic Wound Management
- Fecal and Urinary Diversions
- Urinary & Fecal Incontinence Management
- Practicum (Clinical) Course
Graduates of the program are fully prepared and eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB), a crucial step in becoming a certified WOC nurse.
The online didactic portion of the program incorporates projects, self-directed learning modules, asynchronous discussion forums, and online assessments. Following the online coursework, students complete a clinical practicum under the guidance of an approved preceptor. The required clinical hours vary based on the number of specialty courses chosen, with a minimum of 40 practicum hours required for each specialty.
Throughout the online program, instructors are readily accessible to students, providing ongoing support and engagement through email, classroom discussions, and message boards, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning community.
Advantages of Online WOC Nursing Education:
- Learn from Anywhere: Students can complete the program and become eligible for certification from the convenience of their own homes, eliminating geographical barriers.
- Cost-Effective Learning: Avoid added expenses for travel, accommodation, and meals, unless choosing to complete clinicals on-site in Cleveland, Ohio, making education more accessible.
- Interactive Virtual Classroom: Enjoy ample opportunities to connect and collaborate with classmates and faculty, building a strong professional network.
- Practical Clinical Component: The program includes a mandatory clinical practicum that can be completed with an approved WOC nurse preceptor in the student’s local area, ensuring practical skill development.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Courses are designed to equip students to excel in pre- and post-operative ostomy management, pressure injury prevention and treatment, fistula management, and specialized care for patients with urinary and fecal incontinence.
- Holistic Patient Care Focus: Students develop the necessary skills to provide patients with evidence-based clinical care, coupled with essential psychological support, discharge planning, rehabilitative counseling, and comprehensive follow-up care, ensuring well-rounded patient management.
Prerequisites for Admission
To be eligible for the Cleveland Clinic WOC Nursing Education Program, applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
- Be a registered nurse (RN).
- Hold a minimum of a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree, or a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing with demonstrated baccalaureate-level nursing competencies in health assessment, leadership and management, research and statistics, and community health nursing.
- Possess at least one full year of RN clinical experience with current nursing clinical experience within the past five years.
- Be a legal U.S. resident.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships to support Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Education may be available through the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), offering financial assistance to deserving candidates.
Admissions and Inquiry Contact Information
For further information about the R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD WOC Nursing Education Program at Cleveland Clinic, please contact:
R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD WOC Nursing Education Program
Cleveland Clinic
Teresa Warnke
WOC Admissions & Business Office Coordinator II
Mobile Phone: 216.317.7163
Fax: 216.445.6343
Email: [email protected]
Take the Next Step: WOC Registration
Ready to advance your nursing career and specialize in wound, ostomy, and continence care?
Apply now: [Link to Application]
Access the Application Packet
For detailed information, download the comprehensive WOC Admissions Application Guide.
Looking for specific sections of the application? Use the links below to find and print exactly what you need. [Links to specific application sections]
Connect with the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN)
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society TM (WOCN®) is the leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice and delivery of expert healthcare for individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence care needs. WOCN® empowers its members through advocacy, education, and research, shaping the future of the specialty.
For more information and to explore the resources available, visit the WOCN’s website.
