Complete Guide to Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)

Wound care is a specialized and rapidly growing speciality in nursing—and earning your CWCN certification (Certified Wound Care Nurse) can open doors to new professional opportunities, increased salary potential, and deeper impact in patient outcomes. Whether you're already working in wound care or seeking to specialize, this guide will walk you through the CWCN certification process, requirements, benefits, and how Nomad Health supports your journey.

Certified Wound Care Nurse

The CWCN certification is a professional credential awarded by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). It verifies a nurse’s expertise in wound care and signifies a high standard of clinical competence in managing acute and chronic wounds, including pressure injuries and different types of wounds. Staying current with best practices and clinical guidelines in wound care is essential, as evidence-based practice continues to evolve in healthcare. WOCNCB is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), for the CWCN certification. The accreditation assures that the WOCNCB has met the most stringent and rigorous standards for issuing its credentials.

Definition: CWCN stands for Certified Wound Care Nurse—a nurse certified to deliver evidence-based care in wound prevention, assessment and provide treatment recommendations.

CWCN Scope of Practice

• Assessment and Treatment of acute and chronic wounds
  • Pressure Injuries (Stage 1-IV, Unstageable and Deep Tissue Injury (DTI)
  • Arterial and venous leg ulcers
  • Diabetic foot ulcers
  • Surgical incision sites that haven’t healed properly
  • Moisture-associated skin damage 
• Wound healing principles, including stages of healing, etiology, and progression
• Evidence-based interventions
  • Differentiating between various dressings (e.g. Alginate vs. Hydrocolloids, etc.)
  • Debridement techniques (e.g. autolytic, enzymatic, mechanical, and sharp debridement)
  • Wound cleansing techniques 
  • Advanced Therapies (e.g. negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or hyperbaric oxygen therapy)
  • Pain management
• Prevention strategies for pressure injuries and skin breakdown
  • Use of valid and reliable risk assessment tools
  • Repositioning
  • Support surfaces
• Patient and caregiver education on wound care at home
• Documentation and outcome tracking for wound healing

Benefits of CWCN Certification for Nurses

Obtaining your CWCN certification brings a range of benefits:

• Validation of advanced wound care skills
• Enhanced eligibility for wound care nurse positions in hospitals, long term care settings, home health, rehab, and travel assignments
• Improved patient outcomes and care quality
• Stronger negotiating power for roles and salary
• Professional recognition within your clinical team
• Enhanced job satisfaction and confidence

Career Opportunities and Growth

CWCN-certified nurses are in high demand across various settings:

• Wound care clinics
• Acute and long-term care facilities
• Home health agencies
• Rehabilitation hospitals
• Travel nursing roles specializing in wound care

Many nurses also use this certification as a pathway toward leadership roles, wound program coordination, or even independent consulting.

Increased Earning Potential for Wound Care Nurses

Wound care nurses with CWCN certification can earn significantly higher salaries than non-certified peers. While pay varies by location and experience:

• Average salary for CWCN-certified nurses: $80,000–$100,000+ annually
• Travel wound care roles may offer premium rates and contract bonusesoften leads

Tip: Certification to higher-tier job listings and access to specialty travel contracts.

CWCN Certification Requirements

To qualify for the CWCN exam, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the WOCNCB.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Active an RN license (U.S. or Canada)
• Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN)
• Completion of an accredited wound care education program (such as WOCN-accredited programs). For the most current list of programs, visit the WOCN Society website: https://www.wocn.org/become-a-woc-nurse/accredited-programs/. 
• There are two possible pathways to meet eligibility criteria, Traditional or Experiential
  • Traditional Pathway: Candidates must graduate from a WOCN® Society-accredited WOC Nursing Education Program within the past five years. If the program was completed more than five years ago, eligibility must be established through the Experiential Pathway instead.
  • Experiential Pathway: To qualify for certification in each WOC specialty, candidates must complete 50 specialty-specific CE/CME credits and 1,500 clinical practice hours within the past five years, with at least 375 hours in the final year (or 1,125 hours for all three specialties). All education and practice hours must be earned post-bachelor’s degree while functioning as an RN in a WOC or AP-WOC role.

Experience Requirements (if not using education route):

• At least 1,500 clinical hours in wound care within the past 5 years
• 375 of those hours must be in the past year

You can verify current pathways and program options on the .

How to Navigate the CWCN Certification Process

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Choose Your Eligibility Path:
   • Traditional pathway: WOCNEP program completion
   • Experiential pathway: with documented hours
2. Obtain RN License Verification
   • Available from state board of nursing website
3. Get a copy of Bachelor’s Degree
   • Your graduation diploma or transcripts suffice.
4. Submit Your Application:
   • Apply directly via the WOCNCB website and pay the required fees. This includes an employment history form.
5. Schedule the Exam:
   • Exams are computer-based and offered nationwide via testing centers.
6. Prepare and Take the Exam:
   • 120 multiple-choice questions, 2-hour testing time
7. Receive Certification:
   • After passing, you’ll be credentialed as a CWCN for 5 years.

Exam Preparation Tips

• Use WOCNCB-approved practice tests
• Enroll in CE programs or review courses
• Study wound healing stages, assessment tools, and common interventions
• Join nurse study groups or online forums focused on wound care

Many nurses recommend dedicating 4–6 weeks of concentrated review before the exam.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Obtaining CWCN Certification

Certified Wound Care Nurse Detailed Content Outline

Main Content Domains & Tasks:

1. Comprehensive Assessment (21% of exam)
   • Assess wounds using physical exams, diagnostics, and risk tools.
   • Identify causes and contributing factors.
   • Evaluate patient condition (nutrition, perfusion, etc.).
2. Develop Individualized Plans of Care (15.75%)
   • Create care goals based on patient needs.
   • Select evidence-based treatments and dressings.
   • Incorporate interdisciplinary input.
3. Promote Optimal Wound Healing (13.75%)
   • Apply appropriate wound management interventions.
   • Manage infections, moisture, and pressure.
   • Support systemic conditions affecting healing.
4. Support Partial/Full-Thickness Wound Healing (9.5%)
   • Prepare wound bed and manage complications.
   • Monitor wound progression and response to treatment.
5. Reassessment and Wound Prep (4.25%)
   • Evaluate effectiveness of current treatment.
   • Modify plan based on wound response.
6. Integrate Patient History and Assessments (6.25%)
   • Analyze health history and risk factors.
   • Adapt care based on holistic patient profile.
7. Evaluate Wound Management Outcomes (6.25%)
   • Assess clinical outcomes and patient goals.
   • Review and adjust interventions accordingly.
8. Educate/Communicate with Patient and Team (10%)
   • Teach patient/family about wound care.
   • Collaborate across the care team for shared decision-making.
9. Professional Practice and Ethics (13%)
   • Uphold clinical guidelines, documentation, and legal/ethical standards.
   • Maintain continuing competence and professional behavior.

Essential Online Resources and Communities for CWCN Candidates

• WOCNCB Examination Handbook (Review content outline on pages 21-20)
• WOCNCB Certification Pathways
• Nurse.org Certification Guide
• Online wound care CE platforms (e.g., WCEI, Relias)
• LinkedIn groups or nursing Facebook communities for wound care

How much does a CWCN Certification cost?

CWCN certification can cost approximately $3,245; however, the cost varies based on location. 

Here’s a breakdown of typical costs:

Cost-saving tips:

• Check if your facility offers tuition reimbursement
• Consider continuing education bundles
• Apply for nursing scholarships or grants where applicable

Ongoing Education and Renewal Requirements for CWCN Certification

CWCN certification is valid for 5 years. To renew, you must:

• Complete 80 continuing education hours OR
• Re-take the CWCN exam
• Submit documentation via the WOCNCB portal
• Pay the renewal fee

Be sure to track CE activities throughout your certification cycle to simplify renewal.

How Nomad Health Supports Nurses Pursuing CWCN Certification

Nomad Health is committed to helping nurses advance their careers—including those working toward specialty certifications like CWCN. 

Here's how we support you:

• Personalized licensing support for RNs
• Endorsement support for clinicians that have completed an assignment with Nomad
• License reimbursement when going on assignment with Nomad
• Access to high-paying wound care nurse positions nationwide
• Transparent platform—just real jobs and real pay
• Career resources tailored to certified travel nurses
• Flexible contract options that allow for education and certification prep
• Supportive community focused on professional growth and recognition

Nomad’s mission is to empower nurses to pursue clinical excellence—wherever their journey takes them. Our team works closely with travel nurses to ensure they're fully credentialed and ready to start assignments on time.