Wound Care Nursing Profession

Literature Review

The wound care nursing profession consists of a group of medical professions who are responsible for treating wounded patients and are committed to outcome-based and cost-effective health care. In his study, Angela, A., E., & Inger (2016) denotes that a wound care nurse is dedicated to ensuring the availability and affordability of appropriate care for individuals with ostomies, wounds, and incontinence. In other words, a wound care provider ensures that wounds caused by diseases, medical treatments, and injuries are medically addressed so as to put the patient out of any related effect and fasten the healing process of the wound (Ebrahimi, 2014). They as well provide post surgery care and treatment for individuals with ostomies, surgical openings that allow the outflow of body fluids. Such nurses often work with the assessing patients and health care teams to manage the wounds and monitor the healing process.

This paper analyses and presents the nature of wound care nursing profession with a major focus on a personal reflection on my interest in becoming a qualified wound care nurse. The paper carries out analysis of the different literature on the scope of practice of the profession, certification requirements and standards, responsibilities of the nurse in different facets of wound cares with a focus on ulcers management. It as well presents a personal SWOT analysis and development plan before concluding with the relevant recommendations I need to adopt to qualify as an effective wound care nurse.

Scope of practice

According to Vicki (2010), the responsibility of wound care nurses varies from one facet to another and beyond just wound bandaging. These professionals are essential in carrying out other duties such as;

Allergic skin reaction treatment and prevention of skin breakdown as a result of diseases and infections
Management or treatment of various types of ulcers such as diabetic, pressure, and vascular ulcers.
Ensuring preventive measures are taken in avoiding wound occurrences to susceptible patients, organising the provision of wound care management plan through controlling odour among other causative agents (Doherty, 2010).
Assessing patient nutritional needs and providing topical therapies and educating the support persons like families of the patient on various care techniques (Wilson et al., 2012)
The assessment and treatment of fistulae and draining wounds as well as designing pouch systems for the drainage of fistulae and wounds
Ensuring effective implementation of relevant preventative actions aimed at reducing the incidences of vascular and pressure ulcers (Gosnel, 2014)
Instructing the patients as well as their families in all the guidelines on proper wound care and dressing

Nursing in general practice (2015) denotes that wounds can occur as a result of medical surgeries, pressure sores, as well as ulcers and it is depicted that 3.5 out of every 1000 patients have wound injuries. In his study, Smith (2012) denotes that as the field of wound care seeks validity and advances as a distinctive speciality in health care, it is becoming imperative to define practice competencies for every related profession within the arena. In other words, the myriad of wound nursing practitioners in varying settings across the health sector needs to be evaluated for the unique contribution to the process of wound care providers as supported by Dutton, Chiarella & Curtis (2014). Additionally, the wound care nursing hierarchy requires a well-trained and qualified professional who meets all the clinical and educational requirements. These include;

An individual must possess a degree in wound care nursing with a valid RN license.
Completing a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) program which is an accredited nursing education program as the body currently accredits 8 WOCN nursing education programs. After completion of the programs, nurses are qualified for sitting for the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society national certification examination.
Completing a minimum of 50 contact hours or an equivalent in a college work through a post bachelor’s degree, for every speciality before applying. The pathway includes a minimum of 1,500 completed clinical working hours within the five years before application. Out of the 1500 hours, 375 must have been completed within the last year of training or work as pointed out by Wound care certification (2017).

Certified and qualified WOC nurses are required to ensure effective prevention, maintenance, as well as therapeutic rehabilitation and convention healthcare for patients with gastrointestinal, integumentary or genitourinary system complications. WOC nurses are as well essential in preventing and managing pressure ulcers among other common skin damages as they provide care and extra support to the skin during the management and assessment and management of chronic wounds (Varga & Holloway, 2014). Wound care nurses hence help in ensuring a significant improvement if the condition of patients having wound care issues. In the case of non-healing wounds, the nurses provide a lot of information to the patients so as t motivate self-care while teaching the wound maintenance skills without affecting the process of healing.

SWOT Analysis

For patients with ulcer diseases, the nurses ensure they collect relevant patient information such as the pathophysiologic and psychosocial aspects of the infection. The information should include the medication the client is taking as some of the medications are proven to cause gastric irritation van Wijngaarden, Scholten, & van Wijk (2012). Information on cigarette smoking, stress and coping patterns, as well as alcohol intake are essential as they will also provide information on the lifestyle, leisure activities, work, occupation, of the patient (Sharon, 2011). In the process of collecting information, Madley (2014) denotes that the nurses also need to do a physical assessment so as to observe the symptoms the patient is showing due to the infection. A complete patient history on the possibility of any previous ulcers attack, frequency, symptoms, duration, and intervention procedure carried out should as well e collected for proper care and procedural measures.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths	· I am a qualified nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing · My interest and passion in working towards becoming an effective wound care nurse · I am hardworking and have a positive attitude towards the profession · I am keen on learning all the types of management options in wound care · I have a positive learning attitude and shares information with other students as a future-oriented approach to learning from other students.
Weaknesses	· Limited exposure to the healthcare system of Australia · Limited knowledge of anatomy · I am always nervous, impatient, and have poor time management and effective communication skills.
Opportunities	· There is a high demand for qualified wound nurses in the global health industry as pointed out by Lim et al. (2013). · The profession provides opportunities to explore different areas for medical advancements · The profession always comes with a good salary package · It is a profession with a very high reputation
Threats	· Visa taxation · So many students graduating in the same cause that may course a flooding of the career · Passing English proficiency test is a challenge since am not a native English speaker · Financial constraints may not allow me to complete all the certifications and programs recommended for the course · The Australian economy is inconsistent and may complete the living standard of nurses in the region · Lack of government support as denoted by the Woundcare report (2013) · Unexpected circumstances may arise such as changes in the immigration status

Student name: Student number:

Unit NCS3201 Date: ………………………………………………… Goal Number: …………

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Completing my Bachelors’ degree in wound care nursing and get to be registered	1. Critical thinking and analysis	2. Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships	3. Maintains the capability for practice	4. Comprehensively conducts assessments
Developing the relevant skills in wound care through practice, professional development and experience.	I am qualified to work together my other nurses to build effective professional relationships.	Having the capability to maintain a high standard of practice in accordance to the competency standards in wound care nursing.	Help in assessment and evaluation of research projects in relation to wound care nursing.
Areas of strength	I have learned on wound management, assessment , and treatment	I get along with a wide range of people and can develop healthy relationships	I have been registered as a wound nurse and will be capable to maintain the qualification through effective practice.	I have high assessment skills in different facets of wound care
Opportunities for future development	I will be doing more research to expand my skills and knowledge-base on wound care	Learning more professional skills and knowledge from my cycle of friend to boost my experience.	Teaching my junior and colleagues in how to maintain good practice in wound care.	There are more research, projects, and publications that will require qualified professionals for assessment.
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Completing my Bachelors’ degree in wound care nursing and get to be registered	5. Develops a plan for nursing practice	6. Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice	7. Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
I will ensures I effectively describe on how legislation on the care of wounds is affected and needs standard adjustments	Ensures effective description on how legislation on the care of wounds is affected	My future research work will focus on evaluating other research done by professionals to see areas of improvement.
Areas of strength	I have gained understanding of the full profession and the different types of wounds I will have to treat.	I am qualified and equipped with the knowledge and skills required for the practice	I have developed effective research and analytical skills in the process of pursuing my degree.
Opportunities for future development	Providing training on the relevant nursing practices to my juniors.	There are more patients with wound care needs. I will get the opportunity to offer my services after studies	More research is still required in different facets of wound care that will give me a base for my future studies
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Acquire more experience in wound management	1. Critical thinking and analysis	2. Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships	3. Maintains the capability for practice	4. Comprehensively conducts assessments
Practicing relevant and acceptable wound care based on quality standards	Develop professional and therapeutic relations with other seniors or experienced professionals to learn more on wound care.	More experience helps in being effective and perfect in service delivery while attending to patients.	Acquiring analytical nursing knowledge, attitudes, and skills in the field of practice
Areas of strength	I can apply evidence guidelines in health care systems to ensure safe practice.	I will engage in relationships with people who are more experience to gain more knowledge	With more experience, I am able to maintain a high record of performance and capable of maintaining high wound care provision.	I have more experience in the field, assessment is more comprehensive and of high-quality.
Opportunities for future development	My experience in safe practise has given me direction to effectively and efficiently work	I will also be able to share the skills I have learned with my juniors in the future.	I have developed skills that will ensure my future profession is fulfilling as I not only maintain but will gain more experience for better service delivery.	With continuous development in the medical field, experience will help me analysis any future develop in wound care nursing.
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Acquire more experience in wound management	5. Develops a plan for nursing practice	6. Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice	Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Experience is necessary for developing any plan for effective nursing practice.	Experience is necessary in the provision of appropriate, responsive, safe, and quality nursing practices.	More knowledge is essential in effective evaluation of the professional outcomes in wound care
Areas of strength	I have experience with developing different plans and intervention strategies depending on the state of the patient.	I have more experience that is sufficient to provide the appropriate wound nursing care for patients	I have effective evaluation skills and knowledge towards wound care
Opportunities for future development	Experience will help me have sufficient skills for future nursing care plans and practices.	With the experience, I am able to get more access to chances professional developments such as projects that I will be able to work on with safety, appropriateness, and responsiveness.	The results of the evaluation will be essential for future analysis and in effective wound care.
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Completing masters degree in wound management	1. Critical thinking and analysis	2. Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships	3. Maintains the capability for practice	4. Comprehensively conducts assessments
Ensure a continuous professional development activities to update and advance my practice	Ensure professional development in towards engaging in healthy professional relationships	Gain more professional qualification to gain more chances of effective capability in wound care	Developing more professional skills in conducting comprehensive assessments.
Areas of strength	I will develop critical thinking skills in wound management	I will develop positive professional relationships with high academic qualifications.	I have good and understanding and interpretation to ensure patient information is understood and handled with care.	I will develop comprehensive skills in conduction wound nursing assessments.
Opportunities for future development	I am confident and can work well under minimal supervision	I am skilful and good at making positive relationships	I am good in remembrance of and effective performance	I should be capable of addressing different patient needs for better results
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Completing masters degree in wound management	5. Develops a plan for nursing practice	6. Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice	7. Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
A master’s degree will help me develop high level of professional skills in planning for nursing practices.	I will obtain a higher degree of proficiency, safety, and responsive quality wound care to patients,	Demonstrate the capability of developing individualised care strategy, timely delegating duties and directing team members
Areas of strength	Masters degree has strengthened my nursing practice planning strategies and ability.	I will gather high academic qualifications towards wound care for future care	I will develop skills for deeper evaluation of wound care research outcomes for better interpretation.
Opportunities for future development	I will have opportunities for more development plans in different facets of nursing care	I will acquire opportunities for better jobs with better payments and benefits.	I will access more opportunities for professional evaluation in future nursing care developments.
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Obtain post graduate certification and relevant professional licensure.	1. Critical thinking and analysis	2. Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships	3. Maintains the capability for practice	4. Comprehensively conducts assessments
Recognizing the essentiality of the research activities in on wound management	Demonstrate the capability of developing individualised care strategy, timely delegating duties and directing team members	Acquiring analytical nursing knowledge, attitudes, and skills in the field of practice	Team-working in conducting nursing audits and reviews aimed at improving standard care
Areas of strength	I will develop familiarity with any wound management research field.	I am a team player and have a positive attitude towards helping others	I am capable of demonstrating effective knowledge in management of different types of wounds	I have effective evaluation skills and knowledge towards wound care
Opportunities for future development	Confidently sharing knowledge with team members.	I will engage in healthy professional and therapeutic relationships with practitioners and patients.	I will develop capability in different types of wound practice and maintenance.	I will develop familiarity with comprehensive assessment of wound care
Goal Achieved /year

Goal/ Please only use one goal per form	Strategy/performance criteria for achieving your goal under specified competency standard Domain
Obtain post graduate certification and relevant professional licensure.	5. Develops a plan for nursing practice	6. Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice	7. Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
I will qualify in comprehensive plan development for nursing practice.	I will diversify to prepare me for more job opportunities	A post graduate certification and license in relevant areas will boost my nursing evaluation outcomes in wound care.
Areas of strength	I am capable of teaching the junior nurse on different wound management strategies	I can adopt effective approach towards patient care to motivate other professionals	I posses a profession licence in different competency standard care and evaluation in wound care.
Opportunities for future development	I will develop familiarity with wound nursing care planning and reporting.	I have more opportunities of working in other areas with more satisfaction and enthusiasm.	I will develop effective proficiency and evaluation skills and knowledge towards wound care
Goal Achieved /year

Conclusion

In his study, Menage (2016) denotes that the history of the health information of the patient mainly in relation to ulcers is necessary to assess if the client can possibly develop gastric obstruction. For instance, the consistency and frequency of vomiting of the patient will help in knowing the right prescription, diagnosis, and medication to be used depending on the symptoms displayed so as to prevent any further gastric infections or obstructions (Jenny & Debbie, 2014). It is a necessary step as other complex cases may lead to pyloric obstruction of the nasogastric tube causing the release of intravenous fluids when not properly assessed, a condition that will finally require a surgical operation. With the interest in becoming a wound care nurse a future career, it is recommended that every learner in the profession will have a major duty of managing and treating different kinds of wounds both chronic and acute.

Apart from the benefits that come with the profession such as good payment, flexibility of work, etc, it is vital to realize that there is a deficit in the knowledge and lack of efficient individualized wound assessment leading to a serious concern in the construction and management of patients with wounds. With the interest of filling the gap, wound care nurses should have the patient at heart as they have every opportunity of working in different emergency departments, in-home care, diabetic foot clinics, and hospital wards among other healthcare settings. As a wound care nurse, some of the patients may be in a bad condition with draining and traumatic wounds, tubes and fistulas, pressure ulcers, and surgical incisions. Following the evidence based guidelines for the practice, every wound care nurse should utilize their experience in ensuring patients receive a high-quality care while educating them on the role they need to play so as to accelerate the wound healing process.

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