Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) UK: Membership, Benefits & How to Join

A complete guide to the WOCN Society, its role in advancing specialty nursing, and why membership matters for wound, ostomy, and continence care professionals.

What Is the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society?

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) is the leading professional nursing organisation dedicated to advancing the practice and education of nurses who specialize in wound care, ostomy care, and continence management. Founded in the United States, the WOCN Society represents thousands of advanced practice nurses who deliver specialised care to patients with complex wounds, ostomies, and continence disorders across clinical settings nationwide.

As the premier authority in WOC nursing, the society establishes evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, offers continuing education opportunities, and promotes certification through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). The WOCN Society plays a critical role in shaping healthcare policy, driving research, and ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of specialty nursing care.

Whether you are a registered nurse considering a career in WOC nursing, an experienced wound care specialist looking to expand your professional network, or a healthcare administrator seeking to strengthen your clinical team, understanding the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society is essential.

History and Mission of the WOCN Society

The WOCN Society traces its origins to 1968, when a small group of enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses recognized the need for a professional organisation to support and advance their growing specialty. Over the decades, the society expanded its scope beyond ostomy care to include wound management and continence care, reflecting the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system.

Today, the WOCN Society is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and serves members across the United States and across the UK. The organisation's mission centers on advancing the practice and guiding the delivery of expert healthcare to individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence care needs.

Core Pillars of the WOCN Mission

The WOCN Society operates around several foundational goals. First, the society is committed to advancing clinical practice through evidence-based guidelines and research. Second, it supports professional development by providing comprehensive education programs and certification pathways for nurses at every career stage. Third, the organisation advocates for patients and nurses through active engagement with legislators, payers, and regulatory agencies to ensure access to quality specialty care. Finally, the WOCN Society fosters a collaborative community where WOC nurses can share knowledge, mentor one another, and advance the profession together.

WOCN Membership Benefits

Joining the WOCN Society provides wound, ostomy, and continence nurses with access to a comprehensive suite of professional resources and benefits designed to enhance clinical practice, support career growth, and connect members with a nationwide network of specialty nursing peers.

Professional Development and Continuing Education

WOCN members receive access to a robust library of continuing education programs, including webinars, online modules, and in-person workshops. Many of these educational offerings qualify for contact hours required for certification renewal through the WOCNCB. Members also receive discounts on the society's annual conference registration, where they can earn additional continuing education credits while learning about the latest advances in wound, ostomy, and continence care.

Clinical Resources and Practice Support

Members gain access to the WOCN Society's evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, algorithm tools, and quick reference guides. These resources help WOC nurses deliver consistent, high-quality patient care across settings, from acute care hospitals and outpatient clinics to home health agencies and long-term care facilities.

Networking and Career Advancement

The WOCN Society connects members through regional chapters, special interest groups, online forums, and the annual conference. These networking opportunities allow nurses to share best practices, discuss challenging cases, and build professional relationships that advance their careers. The society also maintains a career center with job postings specifically for WOC nursing positions.

Advocacy and Representation

As a WOCN member, nurses benefit from the society's active advocacy on Capitol Hill and with state legislatures. The WOCN Government Affairs team works to protect reimbursement rates for wound and ostomy supplies, expand access to specialty nursing services, and influence healthcare policy decisions that directly affect WOC nursing practice.

Types of WOCN Membership

The WOCN Society offers several membership categories to accommodate nurses at different career stages and levels of specialization. Understanding these options helps you choose the right membership tier for your professional goals.

Each membership level provides access to the JWOCN journal, online education platforms, the member directory, and the WOCN career center. Active members enjoy the fullest range of benefits, including the ability to vote on society matters, serve on committees, and hold leadership positions within the organisation.

Education and Certification Programs

One of the most valuable aspects of the WOCN Society is its deep commitment to education and professional certification. The society works closely with the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) to support nurses pursuing specialty credentials.

WOCN-Accredited Education Programs

The WOCN Society accredits education programs that prepare registered nurses for certification in wound, ostomy, and continence care. These accredited programs meet rigorous academic standards and provide the clinical training necessary to sit for WOCNCB certification exams. Programs are offered in various formats, including full-time on-campus courses, hybrid programs, and distance learning options, making them accessible to working nurses across the country.

Certification Pathways

Nurses who complete an accredited program can pursue several certification credentials through the WOCNCB. The most comprehensive credential is the Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN), which covers all three specialty areas. Nurses can also pursue single-specialty certifications such as the Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN), Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN), or dual-specialty certifications depending on their practice focus. Advanced practice certifications are also available for nurse practitioners who specialize in WOC care.

Continuing Education and Recertification

Maintaining certification requires ongoing professional development. The WOCN Society supports recertification by offering a wide range of continuing education activities, from live webinars and self-paced online modules to hands-on workshops and the annual conference. Members receive discounted rates on most educational offerings, making it more affordable to stay current with the latest evidence-based practices in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing.

The JWOCN Journal

The Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing (JWOCN) is the official peer-reviewed publication of the WOCN Society and one of the most respected journals in specialty nursing. Published bimonthly, the JWOCN features original research, clinical case studies, evidence-based practice updates, and expert commentary on wound, ostomy, and continence care topics.

For WOC nurses, the JWOCN serves as an indispensable resource for staying informed about emerging treatment approaches, new product technologies, and evolving clinical guidelines. Every article undergoes rigorous peer review, ensuring that the content meets the highest standards of scientific integrity and clinical relevance.

WOCN members receive complimentary access to the JWOCN as part of their membership. This includes full online access to current and archived issues, which represents a significant value given the journal's annual subscription cost for non-members. The journal also offers continuing education articles that allow readers to earn contact hours by completing associated assessments.

WOCN Annual Conference

The WOCN Society's annual conference is the premier educational and networking event for wound, ostomy, and continence nurses in the United States. Held each year in a different city, the conference brings together thousands of WOC nursing professionals, researchers, educators, and industry partners for several days of intensive learning and collaboration.

What to Expect at the WOCN Conference

The annual conference features a comprehensive program that includes keynote presentations from leading WOC nursing experts, breakout sessions covering clinical topics across wound care, ostomy management, and continence care, and poster presentations showcasing the latest research in the field. Attendees can earn significant continuing education contact hours during the event.

In addition to educational sessions, the conference includes a large exhibit hall where medical device companies, wound care product manufacturers, and healthcare organisations showcase their latest innovations. This provides nurses with hands-on exposure to new products and technologies they can bring back to their clinical practice. The conference also features networking receptions, chapter meetings, and special interest group sessions that strengthen the WOC nursing community.

Benefits of Attending

Attending the WOCN annual conference gives nurses the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, discover new clinical tools and products, network with peers from across the country, and learn directly from the researchers and clinicians who are shaping the future of WOC nursing practice. WOCN members receive discounted registration fees, making attendance more accessible for nurses at all career stages.

Clinical Practice Guidelines and Resources

The WOCN Society develops and publishes evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that serve as the gold standard for wound, ostomy, and continence care across the United States. These guidelines are developed through systematic reviews of the available evidence and undergo rigorous peer review before publication.

Key Clinical Practice Guidelines

The society produces guidelines covering a wide range of clinical topics. These include comprehensive guidelines for managing pressure injuries and chronic wounds, best practices for stoma site marking and ostomy management, evidence-based approaches to managing urinary and fecal incontinence, and protocols for negative pressure wound therapy and advanced wound care modalities. Each guideline provides clear, actionable recommendations that nurses can apply directly to their clinical practice.

Practice Resources and Tools

Beyond formal clinical guidelines, the WOCN Society offers a variety of practical tools for members. These include algorithm-based decision trees for wound assessment and treatment, patient education handouts that can be customised for clinical use, documentation templates designed specifically for WOC nursing encounters, and product selection guides to help nurses choose appropriate wound dressings, ostomy appliances, and continence products. These resources save nurses valuable time while ensuring consistent, evidence-based care delivery.

Advocacy and Public Policy Efforts

The WOCN Society maintains an active government affairs program that advocates for policies supporting wound, ostomy, and continence care at the federal and state levels. This advocacy work directly impacts the daily practice of WOC nurses and the patients they serve.

Key Advocacy Priorities

The WOCN Government Affairs team focuses on several priority areas that affect WOC nursing practice. The society advocates for adequate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for ostomy supplies and wound care products, ensuring that patients can access the specialised supplies they need. The organisation also works to protect and expand scope of practice for WOC nurses across state legislatures, allowing certified nurses to practice to the full extent of their training.

Additionally, the WOCN Society engages with federal regulators on issues such as home health care policy, durable medical equipment (DME) competitive bidding programs, and quality measures related to pressure injury prevention. The society regularly submits comment letters on proposed regulations and provides expert testimony to congressional committees considering healthcare legislation.

How Members Can Get Involved

WOCN members can participate in advocacy efforts through the society's Capitol Hill Day events, grassroots advocacy campaigns, and by contacting their elected representatives. The society provides members with advocacy toolkits, talking points, and guidance on how to effectively communicate with policymakers. This collective advocacy strengthens the voice of WOC nursing professionals and helps shape policies that improve patient care outcomes.

How to Join the WOCN Society

Joining the WOCN Society is a straightforward process that can be completed online through the society's official website. Prospective members should visit the WOCN membership page, select the appropriate membership category based on their credentials and career stage, and complete the online application form.

Steps to Become a WOCN Member

The process begins with determining which membership type aligns with your qualifications. If you hold a current WOC nursing certification from the WOCNCB, you qualify for active membership, which provides the full range of benefits including voting rights. If you are currently enrolled in or have completed a WOCN-accredited education program but have not yet achieved certification, associate membership is the appropriate option. Nursing students and other healthcare professionals can explore student and affiliate membership categories respectively.

After selecting your membership type, you will complete an online application that requires your nursing license information, certification credentials (if applicable), and contact details. Annual membership fees vary by category, and the society offers payment plans to make membership more accessible. Once your application is processed, you gain immediate access to online resources, the JWOCN journal, the member directory, and the full range of member benefits associated with your membership level.

Is WOCN Membership Worth It?

For nurses practicing in or pursuing a career in wound, ostomy, and continence care, WOCN membership provides exceptional value. The combination of clinical practice guidelines, continuing education resources, career support, networking opportunities, and advocacy representation makes it a worthwhile investment in your professional development. Many employers recognize WOCN membership as a mark of commitment to specialty excellence, and the resources available through membership can directly improve the quality of care you deliver to patients.

How SIIL Ostomy Helps Ostomy Nurses

At SIIL Ostomy, we understand the daily challenges WOC nurses face when supporting ostomy patients. That is why we have developed a complete suite of free professional resources designed to make your job easier and improve patient outcomes.

Free Professional Resources for WOC Nurses

SIIL Ostomy provides the following materials at no cost to qualified wound ostomy nurses:

• Free Brochure & Product Samples: Request complimentary brochures and product samples of our premium ostomy belts, stoma protectors, and adaptive clothing to share with your patients and evaluate for your clinical practice.
• Ostomy Troubleshooting Quick-Fix Hand Guide: A practical, evidence-based reference card covering the most common ostomy complications and their solutions. Perfect for bedside care and patient education. Download the Troubleshooting Guide
• New Patient Guide: A comprehensive guide designed to help newly diagnosed ostomy patients navigate their first weeks and months with confidence, covering pouch changes, skin care, diet tips, and emotional support. Download the New Patient Guide
• Nutritional Guide for Ostomy Patients: An easy-to-follow nutritional reference covering foods to eat, foods to avoid, hydration tips, and meal planning strategies specific to ileostomy and colostomy patients. Download the Nutritional Guide

These resources are trusted by WOC nurses across the United States and Canada. Whether you work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, home health, or long-term care facility, SIIL Ostomy is committed to supporting your practice with high-quality educational materials and innovative ostomy products.