R.B. Turnbull, Jr. MD, School of WOC Nursing
Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing (formerly Enterostomal Therapy ET/WOCN) is a specialized field of nursing involving the care of patients with abdominal stomas, dermal wounds, pressure ulcers, incontinence and related skin conditions.
WOC nurses are in demand in colorectal surgery, urology, pediatrics, oncology and rehabilitation departments, to name a few. Their expertise makes them valuable not only in the hospital; but also in outpatient clinics, private practice, home care, at extended care facilities, in industry and research, and in nursing education programs.
Cleveland Clinic's R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD School of WOC Nursing, which was established as the first WOC school in the world nearly fifty years ago, will prepare you to play a vital role in pre- and post-operative management of the person with an ostomy; to be instrumental in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, fistula, and other skin disorders; and to be a specialist in the care of patients with urinary and fecal incontinence.
You'll acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to provide patients with effective psychological support, discharge planning, rehabilitative counseling and follow-up care.
WOC Nursing Education Program
Entire Application Packet-CC-WOC (PDF)*
Application (PDF)*
General Information (PDF)*
Program Description (PDF)*
Class Dates (PDF)*
Student Projects (PDF)*
Scholarship Information (PDF)*
Housing Options (PDF)*
Transportation (PDF)*
Dress Code (PDF)*
Preceptor Application
Note: Documents noted with a (*) are in PDF format. You will need the Adobe Reader to view; download it free.
History
The school is named for the late Dr. Rupert Turnbull, a colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, who developed the concept of enterostomal therapy in 1958 when he recognized the rehabilitative value of providing patients with specialized, one-on-one support and instruction. Akron native Norma Gill, herself an ostomate, was the first E.T. and worked with Dr. Turnbull to advance the specialty worldwide.
When it was founded nearly fifty years ago, Cleveland Clinic's WOC school was the first of its kind in the world. Since then, it has graduated more than 1000 of the approximately 3,800 WOC nurse specialists practicing throughout the world. The program is well-established, well known and highly respected.
What Sets Our Program Apart
Split option program
Four weeks of didactic instruction and the option of conducting your four weeks of clinical instruction at Cleveland Clinic, or at a facility closer to home with a Clinic-approved preceptor.
Extensive Clinical Exposure
Thanks to Cleveland Clinic's large volume of patients - between 40-60 ostomy-fistula and 35-50 pressure ulcer and incontinence patients are in the hospital on any given day - you will be exposed to a wide variety of medical conditions and treatments.
Working closely with one of our WOC nurses, you will receive hands-on experience in caring for patients with intestinal and urinary stomas, urinary and fecal incontinence, dermal ulcers, cutaneous fistula and other selected skin conditions.
Extensive Resources of Cleveland Clinic
Your classroom lectures and curriculum are enriched with input from specialists throughout Cleveland Clinic, including colorectal surgeons, fellows and residents; and experts from urology, pediatrics, dietetics, oncology and other departments.
Our Curriculum
The four-week didactic and clinical program is offered several times each year. The program combines classroom education with clinical experience in four major area of study:
- Ostomy and fistulae
- Pressure ulcers and draining wounds
- Incontinence
- Professional Practice
The didactic curriculum consists of 140 hours of lectures, demonstrations and discussion groups. The clinical component includes patient care in acute and ambulatory care with optional experience in long-term and home care.
As part of the curriculum, you will participate in the Clinic-wide Skin Care Team, a joint effort of the division of Nursing and Plastic Surgery. You'll practice a systematic approach to skin care management, including assessment; intervention, topical therapies and patient education.
Our curriculum is:
- Accredited by Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society*
- The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (OH-045) is an approved provider of continuing education by the Ohio Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation OBN-001-91. Provider status valid through 10-01-09**
- Approved by Allied Health & Education Council of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation*
- Recognized by The World Council of Enterostomal Therapists
*Contact the school office for expiration dates.
**Contact the school office for number of contact hours awarded
Our Faculty
The teaching faculty comprises board-certified WOC nurses, colorectal and urology surgeons and physicians, residents, and specialists from other departments within Cleveland Clinic. Also contributing to the curriculum are experts in home care, social service, plastic surgery, nutrition and other specialties.
Prerequisites
You must be a registered nurse with a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree, or baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing with demonstrated baccalaureate level nursing competencies in the areas of health assessment, leadership and management, research and statistics, and community health nursing. Masters in nursing without baccalaureate in nursing will be considered.
Benefits of WOC Nursing
Greater job opportunities since your ET/WOC nursing skills will be in demand throughout the country and around the world in hospital; home care; extended care facilities; outpatient clinics; private practice; industry and research; and educational institutions.
- The potential for higher pay as an WOC nursing specialty practice.
- The professional prestige of being an RN WOC Nurse.
- Eligibility to sit for certification from the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board.
- Fulfilling contact hours for continuing nursing education that your home state may require.
- The personal satisfaction of providing in-depth, individualized care to patients in need.
Scholarship/Grants
Scholarships for Enterostomal Therapy/Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Education may be available from:
For More Information:
Learn more about nursing at Cleveland Clinic through the Nursing Institute.
For further information, contact:
Paula Erwin-Toth, RN, MSN, ET, CWOCN, CNS
Director, Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Education
R.B. Turnbull, Jr., MD
School of WOC Nursing
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
9500 Euclid Avenue, NA-40
Cleveland, OH 44195
erwinp@ccf.org
Barbara J. Mandato
Administrative Assistant II, WOC Nursing
Ph. 216.444.6677
Fax: 216.445.6343
mandatb2@ccf.org
