Wound Care Champion

Nipissing is proud to be a primarily undergraduate university with a reputation for excellence in teacher education, arts, science, professional programs and nursing. Nipissing is committed to making an impact and playing a positive role in the educational, social, cultural and economic life in the communities it serves.

Type of Recognition

Completion-Based Certificate

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:

Clinical Knowledge, Skills, and Judgement:

• Risk Identification and Prevention of Wounds and Wound Recurrence
• Comprehensive Wound Assessment, Prevention and Treatment
• Patient Engagement and Self-Management
• Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

Professional Attitudes and Behaviours:

• Advocacy in Wound Prevention and Care
• Peer Mentorship and Leadership in Change
• Adoption of New Technologies in Wound Care
• Application of Knowledge to Clinical Practice
• Professional Networking and Engagement
• Commitment to Continuous Learning and Development

Knowledge Competencies:

• Burden of Wounds and Risk Identification
• Preventative Interventions and Wound Healing Processes
• Social Determinants of Health and Personalized Care Plans
• Comprehensive Wound Assessment and Clinical Decision Making
• Person-Centered Care, Referral Processes, and Collaboration

Course Content

1. Wounds Canada Institute Skin Health Advocate and Resource Professional (SHARP) Program
   • Understand anatomy, physiology, and healing of the skin
   • Prevent and manage common wound types (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, etc.)
   • Implement a systematic approach to wound care
2. Best Practice Champions Blended Learning Series: Part 1
   • Recognize yourself as a change agent and identify strategies for implementing change
   • Conduct gap analyses and develop action plans
3. Best Practice Champions Blended Learning Series: Part 2 (Live Session)
   • Develop skills in leadership, advocacy, and collaboration
4. Best Practice Champions Blended Learning Series: Part 3
   • Apply public visibility strategies and collective identity to drive change
5. Best Practice Champions Blended Learning Series: Part 4 (Live Session)
   • Craft messages for change and sustain practice improvements
6. Fundamentals of Research Utilization
   • Understand evidence-based practice and apply research findings to clinical decisions
7. Interprofessional Collaboration and Communication
   • Identify effective communication strategies and conflict management within teams
8. Nursing Toward Equity: Applying Social Determinants of Health
   • Addressing health inequities in wound care and advocate for affected individuals
9. Self-Management and Communication
   • Facilitate patient self-management and engagement in wound care
10. Effective Use of Technology to Enhance Practice and Care
    • Use technology to improve wound care assessments and communication
11. Skills Labs (Local Wound Care, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Venous Leg Ulcers)
    • Apply clinical skills in wound assessment and management, including debridement and dressing selection
12. Practical Examination
    • Demonstrate wound prevention and management competencies in live evaluations

Learning Experience, Activities

Students must complete all 43 interactive modules, as well as, 10 synchronous webinars, 1 blended learning course (two modules and two online workshops), and 4 robust assignments/outcome measures.

In addition to the online modules, webinars, blended learning course, and required readings, students are required to interact with each other and faculty in the online moderated asynchronous discussion forum. In this virtual learning community, students will be provided the opportunity to engage in dialogue with fellow learners about course content and associated applications and implications to their practice.

Participants are also expected to participate in 3 in-person skills labs that are completed over the course of 2 days. These skill labs allow the learner to apply their clinical skills in wound assessment and management.

Assessment

This is a Completion-Based Certificate.

Learners must complete the following:

• Submit a Letter of Approval from their Manager prior to completing the course.
• Complete pre-course, mid-course and post-course survey questionnaires to assess changes in confidence and knowledge.
• Complete the 43 interactive online modules. Each module requires a minimum passing score on the knowledge check questions. Students may repeat modules or knowledge check questions until they achieve a satisfactory grade (80% or higher).
• Participate in the 3 in-person skills labs, that are delivered over two days, with practical evaluations to test clinical competencies.
• Must attend or review all 10 Zoom webinars.
• Must participate in the discussion forums to help foster collaborative learning and reflection.
• Must completed the practical examinations where they are required to complete 3 out of 4 stations assessing clinical skills and judgement in wound care.
• Must take the Final Course Evaluation to assess their satisfaction with the program content and structure.

Completion of this micro-credential is based on scenario-based assessments, quizzes, and submission of reflection forms at the end of each module. All components, including the practical exams, webinars, and skills labs, must be successfully completed to receive certification.

Notional Learning Hours

82 hours.

Expected Outcomes

Upon successful completion, participants receive:

• Digital Micro-Credential Badge issued by Nipissing University
• Letter of Completion from Wounds Canada and RNAO
• If 80.0 hours are completed, an Advanced Certificate of Completion in Continuing Professional Development from Temertry Faculty of Medicine, Continuing Education Division, University of Toronto
• Best Practice Champions Certificate from RNAO
• Canadian Nurses Association Certification