From the Editor: Indeed, Why Wound Care?

  As we may be loathe or energized to do, we assess and reassess our life decisions. Where to go to school? What to major in? Who to marry? Where to live? Children or no? What career path to follow? In my case, I earned a degree in elementary education, knowing full well I preferred writing to teaching, and ultimately I pursued the former (the city and the choice of spouse was more-or-less decided in 10th grade).    And what parent among us hasn’t at least occasionally wondered if birth control could be made retroactive?

  The question de jour: Why wound care? The desire to help and heal brings many to medicine. But why do people choose this specific niche — a niche more gore than glamour and barely a specialty, although there are efforts to change that perception.

  In an effort to inform the decisions of potential wound care nurses, HMP Communications, LLC soon will be taking the wraps off a program — Why Wound Care™ — to incentivize nursing students and recent graduates to pursue rewarding careers in wound care. Nursing faculty also can obtain the information for their students and receive complimentary educational materials to incorporate into their curriculum. This initiative hopes to meet the needs of people with or at risk for wounds (and their caregivers) to enhance safe, effective care by increasing the number of nurses who choose a career in wound care.

  For almost 14 years, OWM, via our monthly column “My Scope of Practice,” has asked why wound care, trumpeting the reasons people choose this arena and the subsequent responsibilities and rewards inherent in their decisions. The column features clinicians who comprise all levels of formal education (from RNs to MD/PhDs), every care setting imaginable (from indigent third-world countries to pristine academic institutions and all manner of facilities), and every length of experience (practitioners new to the field to seasoned pros). Our first column in June 2001 featured Paul Farley, a board-certified wound, ostomy continence nurse (he referred to himself as an ET nurse) who provided home care through an inner city agency. In the column’s early days, I did in-person interviews; I met Paul at the home of an elderly woman with a Stage IV sacral pressure ulcer. He assumed I was a practitioner; he didn’t realize how grateful I was to have a camera between me and the patient to diffuse my view.

  That graphic introduction to the skill, dedication, patience, and “stomach” required of wound care providers whetted my respect for this niche and my determination to proliferate the many “because why’s” of wound care. My Scope of Practice featured clinicians have commented, “It never gets old” (Marietta Glazer, RN, PhD, CWOCN); “I wanted to treat the absence of pain from diabetic neuropathy” (David Armstrong, DPM, MSc, PhD); “I got to indulge a God-given love for older people” (Geraldine Weathers, RN); “I like providing quality care … through support and ongoing education” (Susan Logan, RN, BSN, ET, CWS, FACCWS); “I love the art and science of wound healing” (Barbara Aung, DPM, DABPOPPM, FAPWCA, CWS); “I saw first-hand the special care it took” (Nancy Morgan, RN, BSN, MBA, WOCN, WCC, DWC); “…my passion for pressure ulcer treatment and prevention” (Charlotte Lisco, RN, BSN, CWOCN); “I love the challenge and complexity of wound care” (Renee Cordrey, PT, PhD[c], MSPT, MPH). The common theme woven through all of their stories: Wound care may not be easy, but it is always rewarding. Editor’s note: the credentials listed reflect their status at the time their article was published; many went on to earn additional degrees and certifications.

  I know I am preaching to the choir regarding your decision to experience the pleasure and pride wound care affords. The reality, though, is that your numbers are shrinking as baby boomer practitioners age out of the workforce. Please think about proliferating your knowledge and/or encouraging colleagues to expand their education through specialization. Remember the value of your training, both from formal education and cherished mentors. Why wound care? Indeed, why not?

Synchronizing fun and learning
Yes to offloads. Yes to turning
Mentors teach through presentations
Products offer innovations
Old-time forts and new attractions
Sessions generate pro-actions
Informed, impressed, back home you share
Unbounded joy in patient care
May this be all you hoped it’d be
(Congrats to AAWC!)

This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.