Admissions Requirements:

• Active, unencumbered RN license
• Baccalaureate (or higher) degree
• One year of clinical nursing experience post RN licensure
• Current, clinical nursing experience OR proof of an acceptable nurse refresher course OR proof of a clinical performance examination

Application Requirements:

• Completed Application
• Verification of active, unencumbered RN license
• Official BSN transcript; if baccalaureate in another field, then official nursing and baccalaureate transcripts
• Have the University email an Official E-transcript to wocnec@emory.edu or postal mail an Official Transcript to:  WOCNEC, 250 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite 400 Decatur, GA 30030

• International students must have official transcripts translated by CGFNS
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) with dates of employment (include month and year)
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Marriage certificate or proof of name change IF names differ on the submitted documents

Requirements AFTER Application is Approved:

• Clinical Preceptor Plan (due 90 days before Bridge Week)

Payment Requirements:

• Pay tuition in full at time of enrollment or choose a payment plan
• Application fee is non-refundable

If you have any questions about the admission or application requirements, please contact us before applying.

Join us for a Virtual Information Session. Information Sessions are a great opportunity to connect with our administration and instructor teams to learn more about our programs including admission criteria, program methodology, and graduation requirements.

COMPUTER RECOMMENDATIONS:

HARDWARE

• Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (or equivalent AMD processor)
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Hard Disk: 500 GB SATA or 256 GB solid drive (SSD)
• Removable Storage: Not necessary
• Display: 1024x768 minimum (1280x800.13" display or larger would be better)
• Networking: WiFi 802.11g (802.11n better, 802.11ac best)
• Operating System: Windows 10 home premium or higher, Mac OS 10.13.6 High Sierra or higher

SOFTWARE

• Modern Browser: Inbternet Explorer 11, Firefox (latest version), Chrome (latest version)
• Microsoft Office
• Anti-virus & Malware

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All courses are online, asynchronous, and self-paced.  The amount of time to complete a program depends on the program selected.  While there are milestones provided to keep students on track, there are no “due dates”.  The amount of time spent on each program requirement is up to the student and their unique schedule and needs (as long as the entire program is completed in the time allotted, e.g., 365 days for a tri-specialty program). 

Courses include required reading, video lessons (podcasts if you prefer to learn on the go), Learning Exercises (knowledge check at the end of each lesson), Case Studies, Quizzes, and Exams.

Wound

• General skin care
• Prevention and management of pressure injuries
• Differential assessment and management of lower extremity ulcers (arterial, venous, neuropathic, atypical)
• Diabetic foot care
• Management of infection
• Principles of wound debridement
• Appropriate and cost-effective selection of topical therapy
• Appropriate and cost-effective utilization of support surfaces

Ostomy

• Stoma site marking
• Pre-and post op anatomy and education
• Management of urinary and fecal diversions (standard and continent)
• Product selection and utilization
• Rehabilitative care, e.g., sexual counseling

Continence

• Assessment for causative and contributing factors
• Management, e.g.,
  • Diet and fluid management
  • Behavioral therapies (toileting programs)
  • Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation
  • Clean, intermittent catheterization
  • Absorptive and containment products
  • Medications
  • Surgery

Professional Practice

• History of WOC nursing
• Overview of the WOC nursing role
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Patient education
• Staff education and development
• Implementation of the WOC/specialty nurse role
• Professional Practice is a required course for all Traditional Pathway students unless:
• You provide a transcript from a WOCN® accredited program showing successful completion of the course within the past year OR
• You have been continuously WOCNCB® certified via the Traditional Pathway AND
• You currently work as a WOCNCB® certified WOC nurse in another specialty, e.g., work as a wound care nurse and wish to pursue certification in ostomy

***All exception decisions are at the sole discretion of the Program Director

Requirements for Graduation

1. Review the Bridge Week and Clinical informational Course
2. Complete all courses in program (any combination of Wound/Ostomy/Continence plus Professional Practice)
3. Attend Bridge Week
4. Complete Clinical and Logs (40 hours per specialty; 120 hours for tri-specialty) *
5. Evaluations

*Can deduct Bridge Week hours (26 hours for tri-specialty)

‍Requirements

• RN with a Baccalaureate Degree
• Current WOCNCB certification in relevant clinical specialty
• At least one (1) year of full-time clinical experience post WOCNCB certification in relevant clinical specialty
• Sufficient patient census to provide needed learning experiences - this must be documented by simple statistics.

*Requirement exceptions for the continence specialty only.  Please contact us for "Alternate Clinical Provider" requirements if a WOCNCB certified continence nurse is not available.

Most clinical sites require an affiliation agreement with Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. WOCNEC will work with the appropriate individuals in your identified clinical agency to establish the agreement. Establishment of an affiliation agreement can take a significant amount of time, so it is critical for us to get this information as soon as possible.

Student Preceptor Information

• Full scope students are required to complete 120 hours of clinical with an approved preceptor.
• Dual scope students are required to complete 80 hours of clinical with an approved preceptor.
• Single scope students are required to complete 40 hours of clinical with an approved preceptor.

Students are required to submit their preceptor and clinical site information 90 days prior to their scheduled Bridge Week. Clinical rotation links are sent to the student upon Bridge Week request and confirmation.

Bridge Week is a “bridge” between theory and application to prepare students for their clinical experience.  Bridge Week provides students the opportunity to practice critical psychomotor skills they may not have an opportunity to practice during their clinical rotation.  See the Bridge Week Schedule for a full list of skills and activities covered. 

Bridge Week is a requirement for all Traditional Pathway students. It consistently receives exceptional reviews and is the reason many students choose our program. In addition to coming onsite and working closely with our clinical instructors, students accrue clinical hours during Bridge Week that can be counted towards the total clinical hours needed.  For example, a tri-specialty student earns 26 clinical hours during Bridge Week, and therefore, only needs to obtain 94 hours of precepted clinical, instead of 120. 

Bridge Week is also an opportunity to network with other WOC nursing students from across the country (and Canada), meet the WOCNEC Team, clarify concepts, and prepare for certification.  Students attend the Bridge Week that correlates with their program of study (we offer one every six weeks, on average).  Continence Bridge Week is virtual only.

There is no tuition or extra fees for Bridge Week, but students are responsible for their travel, lodging, and other costs associated with traveling to Decatur, GA. The Emory Nursing Learning Center (ENLC) is located at 250 East Ponce de Leon, Decatur, GA. The ENLC is a short walk from hotels, shops, restaurants, and the MARTA station. It is not necessary to rent a car and a group discount code is provided for your hotel stay if needed.

Please join one of our Information Sessions if you have questions, or email us at wocnec@emory.edu.

2024 Bridge Week Dates

• Jul 9-11
• Aug 20-22
• Oct 1- Oct 3
• Nov 12-14
• Dec 10-12

2025 Bridge Week Dates

• Jan 28-30
• March 4-6
• April 15-17
• May 20-22
• Jul 8-10
• Aug 19-21
• Sept 30 - Oct 2
• Nov 11-13
• Dec 16-18

All clinical courses and comprehensive Final Exams must be completed prior to students scheduled Bridge Week. Bridge Week, the Professional Practice course, and clinical credentialing must be completed prior to beginning Clinical.

• Extension Policy‍
• Refund Policy‍
• Student Change Form ‍
• Tuition and Program Costs