Wholly owned and operated by Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC)
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Education Programs
The WOC Institute’s flagship program is the Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) Program for baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurses and/or Nurse Practitioners (NPs). The NSWOC Program is the only program in Canada whose graduates become Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®), and are able to write the CNA certification exam for Wound, Ostomy and Continence.
The WOC Institute’s educational programs are delivered by a team of highly knowledgeable and dedicated nurse leaders who are Canadian Association of Nurses (CNA) certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence.
NSWOC® Program
A state of the art, paced, 12-month, online program offered in English and French, which prepares baccalaureate registered nurses and/or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for the role of a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC®) and certification (WOCC(C)) for Wound, Ostomy and Continence through the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA).
Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program
For practical nurses and diploma RNs who aspire to become respected nurse leaders and integral members of their organization’s wound, ostomy, and continence leadership team. SWANs are uniquely recognized for their advanced knowledge and their contributions as wound, ostomy and continence nurse champions in their workplaces and communities across Canada.
Advanced Wound Debridement Course
This unique course offers healthcare practitioners the foundation to develop and enhance their theoretical and practical knowledge when managing complex, hard to heal wounds that require debridement. At the end of this program, learners will have advanced debridement knowledge beyond the NSWOC & SWAN programs.
Industry Skin Wellness Associate (ISWA) Program
Designed specifically for industry partners who want to strengthen their ability to collaborate with healthcare professionals and to achieve the new gold standard for industry education in the areas of wound, ostomy, and continence.
Wound Care Collaborator Course
During this 6-week, self-paced, online course you will:
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Increase your knowledge related to evidence-based wound care
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Improve your ability to advocate for patients with wound related issues
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Enhance your ability to collaborate with wound care specialists
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Have access to virtual mentorship and knowledge consolidation opportunities with our team of CNA certified NSWOCs
Ostomy Management Course
During this 6-week, self-paced, online course you will:
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Increase your knowledge related to evidence-based ostomy care
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Improve your ability to advocate for patients with ostomy related issues
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Enhance your ability to collaborate with ostomy care specialists
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Have access to virtual mentorship and knowledge consolidation opportunities with our team of CNA certified NSWOCs
Continence Management Course
Through this 6-week, self-paced, online course you will:
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be able to perform a basic continence-focused patient interview and physical assessment.
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understand the physiology of urinary and fecal incontinence and identify associated risk factors.
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have enhanced foundational knowledge, so students will be able to select appropriate management strategies to maintain skin health and improve patient outcomes.
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will employ evidence-based practise in the selection and use of urinary catheter supplies, containment products, and barrier products.
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will identify and advocate for patients with continence-related issues and advocate, with an enhance ability to collaborate with the interprofessional team, including continence care specialists.
Pharmacist Wound, Ostomy and Continence Course
The Pharmacist Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Course is a state-of-the-art interactive online course developed by Canadian Nurse Association (CNA)-certified Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs®) in collaboration with pharmacists and physicians. The course is designed to equip pharmacists with evidence-informed foundational knowledge to enhance the patient-centred, interprofessional care of individuals living with wound, ostomy, and continence issues across care settings.
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This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development.
Nurse Continence Advisor (NCA) Course
Are you a Registered Nurse seeking advanced knowledge & clinical expertise in continence care?
The Canadian Nurse Continence Advisor (NCA) Course is a rigorous, paced, 12-month course that prepares baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses for the specialized role of a Nurse Continence Advisor (NCA).
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Grounded in nationally recognized nursing standards and competencies, the program equips graduates to deliver safe, ethical, and evidence-informed continence care. It supports the acquisition, integration, and practical application of knowledge, enabling learners to confidently translate theory into clinical practice.
2SLGBTQIA+ Basics for Health Care Professionals
We believe that education is a key factor in promoting inclusivity and equity. That’s why we created our 2SLGBTQIA+ Basics course for Health Care Professionals – providing health care professionals with the knowledge and tools to provide competent care to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This course is designed to be completed at your own pace, making it easier for even the busiest professionals to gain valuable insights and understanding.
Community Paramedic Skin and Wound Course
This state-of-the-art course is designed to provide community care paramedics with the ability to provide optimal wound care in collaboration with an interprofessional team.
PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course
This CNA-accredited course is designed to give Personal Care Providers* (PCP), including PSWs, and caregivers, the knowledge and skills to recognize at-risk patients and implement effective strategies to prevent, identify, and manage skin health challenges.