Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program Applicants

How to Apply

The Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Scholar Program (WOCNP) is available to all out-of-state WOCNEP students who meet the admission requirements and enroll in the WOC Nursing Education Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing. All WOC Nurse scholars must meet the WOCNEP admissions criteria and reside out-of-state. WOC Nurse Scholars will be provided with discounted tuition reflective of in-state student rates. NJ residents already pay the in-state tuition rate.

Application Deadline

While there are no formal application deadlines, we strongly urge prospective Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program students to send all necessary information well in advance of the fall semester, when the program begins.

Application Process

1. Application Track

Apply to the WOC program using the Rutgers University–Camden Graduate Admission Application. Please submit a formal transcript, RN license, professional resume, and two letters of recommendation. If you would like to learn more about how to apply, the Rutgers University–Camden Graduate Admissions portal describes the application process.

** Please be sure to indicate your choice of either the on-campus or online formats. **

2. Submit Transcripts

Submit copies of all of your official academic transcripts, including any prerequisite coursework in progress, to Rutgers University–Camden Graduate Admissions. We strongly urge you to submit your transcripts well in advance of the application deadline, August 30. Please mail your transcripts directly to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Rutgers University–Camden
406 Penn Street
Camden, NJ 08102
https://admissions.camden.rutgers.edu/graduate-admissions

3. Financial Aid

Rutgers University–Camden's Admissions Office provides detailed information about tuition and fees and a wide range of financial aid opportunities available.

Admissions Requirements

• Professional Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of New Jersey or in the state of the clinical preceptorship.
• Evidence of successful academic achievement in completing a baccalaureate degree.
• Evidence of one year of current clinical experience following RN licensure.
• Current clinical nursing experience within five years prior to application (e.g., current active practice, completion of a nurse refresher course or a clinical performance examination).
• Two professional references: one academic (may be staff development) and once clinical.
• Evidence of personal health insurance coverage (Needed only before starting clinical hours).
• Criminal record check clearance, child abuse history clearance, and urine drug screening (Needed only before starting clinical hours).
• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification (Needed only before starting clinical hours).
• Current professional liability (malpractice) insurance (Needed only before starting clinical hours).

Important Program Information:

On-Campus Format

The on-campus format combines exceptional classroom instruction with clinical experience and provides three graduate nursing courses totaling 13 credits. Two (5)-credit didactic courses are taught during fall and spring semesters in a once weekly, late afternoon-early evening format. Experienced faculty, distinguished WOC nurses, and interprofessional colleagues present on topics including wound care, urinary and fecal diversions (ostomy), and urinary/fecal incontinence. The (3)-credit clinical course component consists of a 160-hour clinical practicum with an expert credentialed preceptor, plus a bi-weekly class that meets in the summer semester.

Online Format

The online format consists of an online synchronous meeting once a week plus asynchronous activities and provides three graduate nursing courses totaling 13 credits. Two (5)-credit didactic theory courses are taught entirely online during fall and spring semesters. The (3)-credit clinical practicum requires a one and a half day visit to campus, a 160-hour clinical practicum with a credentialed preceptor, and periodic online synchronous meetings during summer sessions.

Curriculum

The WOCNEP curriculum is based on the WOCN accreditation curriculum blueprint.  Four major themes are represented in the two didactic courses: wound care, fecal and urinary diversions (ostomy), urinary and fecal incontinence, and professional practice.

Clinical Preceptor Information

Clinical preceptors must meet stringent accreditation criteria endorsed by the WOCN Society for clinical faculty. These criteria include:

• A minimum of a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing OR registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing.
• Current CWOCN Board certification or current national nursing specialty certification in the specialty they teach
• At least one year full time specialty practice after certification
• Experience as a clinical preceptor, or teaching experience, or clinical preceptor workshop
• Evidence of patient caseload that reflects full scope of WOC practice

Clinical Preceptor Manual | Download PDF

Clinical Preceptor Application | Download PDF

Note Well:  The Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden WOCNEP does not provide nor pay for the clinical preceptor as per WOC accreditation processes.  However the Rutgers-Camden WOCNEP will assist in the identification and selection of a preceptor.  Clinical preceptors are required to submit an application to the Rutgers-Camden WOCNEP.  WOCNEP administrators review and accept the clinical preceptor.  A contract is signed between Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden and the clinical preceptor’s employer.  Contracts require time so the sooner the student contacts preceptors the better.  The program requires 160 hours of clinical practicum.

WOCNEP students and clinical preceptors will, independently of Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden, negotiate financial arrangements for clinical instruction.  Students usually pay a fee to the preceptor/institution for the clinical practicum.  The fee varies widely based on region and institution.

Faculty

Janice M. Beitz, PhD, RN, CS, CNOR, CWOCN-AP, CRNP, MAPWCA, ANEF, FNAP, FAAN
Program Director

Jo Catanzaro, MSN, RN, CWOCN-AP
Program Co-Director

Kevin Emmons, DrNP, RN, APN, AGPCNP-BC, CWCN
Wound Faculty

Additional faculty and lecturers include multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, WOC nurse educators, and clinicians from the wider region who are experts in their fields.