[OstomyOK.org - An Alliance of Oklahoma Ostomy Support Groups]

What is a WOC (ET) Nurse?

A "WOC" (Wound, Ostomy and Continence) nurse, referred to previously as an "ET" (Enterostomal Therapy) nurse, is often the best medical professional for dealing with problems involving ostomies.

A WOC Nurse is a graduate of an educational program accredited by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN). WOC Nurses specialize in the care of patients with selected disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and integumentary systems. They provide stoma care which includes:

pre- and post-operative education and counseling;
stoma site selection;
assistance with dietary, sexual, and lifestyle issues;
post-discharge care and counseling.

In addition, WOC nurses manage draining wounds and fistulas; they treat pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers, and neuropathic ulcers; and they help manage incontinence.

To locate a WOC nurse in your area: Many of the individual Group pages linked to this site include listings of WOC nurses affiliated with the group. Also, the WOCN Website includes an online referral database that you can search with your web browser to locate a WOC nurse near you.

This page last revised 2013-03-16

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What is a WOC (ET) Nurse?