"I couldn’t have imagined then what opportunities a career as a wound nurse would offer me. Not only is there the significant benefit of knowing you help patients with wounds and their caregivers every day, but there also have been other amazing 'perks.'”
“To this day, I am amazed about the opportunities in practice, education, and research this specialty provides. These opportunities have taken me all over the world, from classrooms to board rooms and from operating rooms to senior centers.”
"I work (and delight) in the WOC specialty because it allows me to make a difference for some of the most vulnerable and despondent of patients — for example, persons with chronic wounds, persons who have to adjust to a fecal diversion, or persons who are incontinent.”
"As an oncology clinical nurse specialist, I worked with certified wound care nurses to provide wound care, as well as preventive care, to persons with cancer. It was then and still is so exciting to view the interprofessional collaboration and the mentoring among wound care specialists in a variety of disciplines.”
“I pursued this specialty to make a difference in the lives of persons with chronic wounds (particularly pressure ulcers and lower extremity wounds), ostomies, and people whose quality of life is challenged by continence issues. My satisfaction comes from increasing patient comfort, easing the burdens of caregivers, and improving competence pertaining to my specialty in other providers.”
Catherine T. Milne is an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist practicing across the continuum in acute care, long-term care, home health and outpatient settings.
”I have loved every second of my nursing and wound career. I have shared my clinical and research findings in many publications and presentations. Find a passion, even if it is not mainstream, and fly with it!”
”As a wound care nurse, you can impact the lives of patients one at a time and sometimes you have the chance to change history. Either way, actively participating in the management of a patient’s wound, or being part of any type of Wound Care Team (however you define it) is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my entire life.”
”Fast forward (and it has been so incredibly fast!) 35 years and I have had such a blessed career. I have had the opportunity to practice and teach in all areas of care: acute care, home care, long-term care, and for the past 14 years, outpatient care, which is so rewarding because you actually get to follow the patients long-term.”
”During the first week of being a nurse, I attended an orientation session on wound care. I remember being extremely impressed with the science and complex physiology in wound healing and I said to myself, "this is how I can make a difference for patient care!" Since then, I have sought out different opportunities to increase my knowledge and further develop an expertise in wound care.”
Tracey L. Yap, PhD, RN, WCC, CNE, FGSA, FAAN is an associate professor in the Duke University School of Nursing, and a senior fellow in the Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.
Susan Kennerly, PhD, RN, WCC, CNE, FAAN, is professor in the Department of Nursing Science at the East Carolina University College of Nursing and a wound care certified and gerontological nurse educator and researcher. Dr. Kennerly’s scholarship is distinguished for its focus on enhancing both nursing care delivery and the nursing practice environment.