Wholly owned and operated by Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC)
Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program
Are you a practical nurse or diploma-prepared registered nurse with an interest in becoming a leader in the field of wound, ostomy, and continence management?
The Skin Wellness Associate Nurse program is a state-of-the-art interactive online course designed for practical nurses (LPN/RPN) or diploma-prepared registered nurses who are lifelong learners who are passionate about improving care for patients living with wound, ostomy, and continence issues.
Accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association for 255 educational hours.
Program Goal
The goal of the (SWAN™) Program is to educate and prepare more skilled wound, ostomy and continence nurses across the spectrum of care (e.g. acute care, long-term care and homecare). Graduates will have an enhanced ability to provide optimal care for individuals with wound, ostomy and continence issues as members of a collaborative NSWOC team. The program is designed to provide non-specialty nurses the ability to provide optimal wound, ostomy and continence care under the direction of the NSWOC, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Wound, Ostomy or Continence) or Physician and to be integral members of the WOC team.
Why was the program developed?
The Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) WOC Institute developed the SWAN™ Program in response to the growing need in Canada for healthcare professionals with advanced wound, ostomy and continence knowledge. The NSWOCC and WOC Institute developed the paced online SWAN™ program as a means to support and empower NSWOCs and improve clinical outcomes by enhancing wound, ostomy and continence care teams.
Program Outcomes
Learning Objectives
By the end of this 5-month, paced online course, participants will be able to:
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Explain the fundamentals of skin, wound, ostomy, and continence care, including basic anatomy, physiology, and common conditions.
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Conduct focused skin, wound, ostomy, and continence assessments to identify risk factors and recognize early signs of potential complications.
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Interpret assessment finding to develop nursing care plans and implement evidence-informed strategies to prevent and manage wounds, support ostomy care, and promote continence.
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Select appropriate products and interventions to support skin integrity, wound healing, ostomy management, and moisture control.
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Communicate effectively with patients and the healthcare team, documenting findings and escalating concerns appropriately.
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Understand the scope and role of the SWAN in supporting interdisciplinary care, patient education, and early intervention.
Program Structure
The program is a paced, interactive, 5-month, online course based on standards of practice and core competencies. Students can expect to spend 15-20 hours per week completing educational content.
Course Overview
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5 months
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Fully online
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Paced
Topics Covered
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Integumentary System
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Wounds
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Ostomies
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Continence Care
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3 separate courses (Continence, Ostomy, Wound)
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Interactive workbooks and online resources
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Weekly mentorship hours with a CNA certified NSWOC
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Interactive online discussion boards
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Each course has assignments & final quiz
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Self-directed clinical preceptorship
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CNA accreditation for 255 credits
Important Dates and Deadlines
Cohort | Start date | End Date | Application Deadline | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall Cohort | Third Monday in August | Late January | 31/05/2026 | At the NSWOCC National Conference in May |
Winter Cohort | Third Monday in January | Late June | 15/10/2025 | At the NSWOCC National Conference in May |
What is a self-directed preceptorship?
A self-directed preceptorship is a structured learning experience in which the learner takes primary responsibility for their own educational goals and progress while working under the guidance of a preceptor (academic advisor). Self-directed preceptorships empower the learner to actively shape their clinical learning experience by setting personal learning objectives based on their needs, scope of practice, and knowledge gaps. The learner seeks feedback, incorporates it into ongoing skill development, and reflects on clinical experiences to build critical thinking and clinical judgment.
The learner’s preceptor will provide supervision, mentorship, and feedback.
How is the SWAN Program different from the NSWOC Program?
The Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) Program offers RPNs/LPNs and diploma-prepared RNs an opportunity to advance their clinical knowledge and become leaders in the management of wounds, ostomies, and continence-related conditions. The program emphasizes holistic patient assessment, including detailed skin, wound, continence, and ostomy evaluations.
Learners will gain the skills to develop care plans and implement evidence-informed interventions tailored to individual care goals, including strategies for wound healing, stoma care, continence promotion, and skin integrity preservation. Upon completion, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to manage skin, wound, ostomy, and continence challenges in clinical practice and collaborate effectively within the NSWOC and other interprofessional care teams.
Team Roles and Dynamics:
NSWOCs and SWANs work collaboratively within the wound, ostomy and continence team structure. NSWOCs take on the leadership and consultation roles, whereas SWANs provide support in managing routine cases. This collaborative dynamic ensures that patients receive high-quality care, while also fostering the professional development of SWANs under the mentorship of NSWOCs.
Economic Impact and System Efficiency:
By delegating stable and predictable cases to SWANs, healthcare teams can ensure that NSWOCs focus on more complex cases, enhancing system efficiency. This division of labor allows for optimal use of each nurse’s skills, potentially reducing healthcare costs while maintaining high standards of care.
NSWOC Program
Educational Requirements
The NSWOC Program is a 12-month advanced program at the Master’s level, requiring a Bachelor of Nursing (BN/BScN) or equivalent degree for entry.
Program Duration
The NSWOC Program is longer (12 months), reflecting its in-depth, specialized curriculum that includes 225 hours of clinical placements.
Clinical Placement and Preceptorship
NSWOC students undergo 225 hours of clinical placements (two weeks of 75 hours per course x3) that emphasize both the clinical and leadership aspects of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) care.
Leadership / Collaboration
NSWOC graduates are prepared as clinical specialists and leaders in WOC nursing. Their education equips them with high-level critical thinking skills to manage complex and unpredictable patient care, and to lead teams as consultants.
Scope of Practice
NSWOCs are expected to manage a broad range of WOC care, including unpredictable patient scenarios, given their advanced training in critical thinking and clinical judgment. Their role involves complex problem-solving and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
SWAN Program
Educational Requirements
The SWAN Program is a 5-month program designed for Practical Nurses or Diploma Registered Nurses. It prepares them to work above a generalist level but does not involve the same depth of advanced practice training as the NSWOC Program.
Program Duration
The SWAN Program is shorter, at 5 months, reflecting a more focused, practical approach to developing skills under supervision, particularly for stable and predictable patient scenarios.
Clinical Placement and Preceptorship
SWAN students work through a self-directed preceptorship in which they manage specific clinical scenarios under the guidance of an NSWOC, reflecting a more task-oriented, supervised learning experience.
Leadership / Collaboration
SWAN graduates are positioned to be members of WOC teams, working collaboratively under the guidance of NSWOCs. They are practical nurse leaders but are primarily responsible for predictable and stable patients.
Scope of Practice
SWANs focus on managing stable and predictable patients, deferring to NSWOCs for patients who require more complex care. This is due to the more limited training scope of the SWAN Program, which emphasizes practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge or leadership roles.
Points of differentiation | NSWOC® | SWAN™ |
|---|---|---|
CNA Accreditation | Program is accredited by the CNA. | Program is accredited by the CNA. |
Students are: | Registered Nurses with a Baccalaureate Degree and/or Nurse Practitioners | Licensed/Registered Practical Nurses and/or Registered Nurses with a Diploma |
Education Pre-requisite | BN/BScN or Equivalent | Practical Nurse or Diploma Nurse |
Academic level | Masters level | Practical nurse |
Cohorts | Applications are received twice per year in the English program (February and August) and once per year in the French program (August). | Two English cohorts per year starting in February and August respectively. |
Length of program | 12 months | 5 months |
Academic Tuition + applicable fees | Academic tuition: $6,000 CAD
Total: approx. $6,196 CAD | Academic tuition: $3,000 CAD
Total: approx. $3,186 CAD |
Depth of material coverage | In depth, +++ Critical thinking | Above generalist level |
Clinical Placement | 225 hours of clinical placements | Self-directed, student works through specific clinical scenarios under the guidance of an NSWOC |
Goal of program | Graduate clinical specialists / experts and leaders in wound, ostomy and continence nursing | Graduate practical nurse leaders |
Expectation of graduate | Graduates will lead wound, ostomy, and continence teams as clinical specialists and consultants in wound, ostomy and continence care. | Graduates will be WOC team members and work in collaboration with NSWOCs. |
Nationally - recognized Designation | NSWOC® | SWAN™ |
CNA Certification | WOCC(C) upon passing the CNA Certification Exam at the end of the program | None currently available. |
Translate Theory into Practice
After Sharon Hunter graduated from the CNA-accredited Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) program, she felt much more confident in promoting herself as an expert and resource within the field of wound care.
SWAN™ program graduates gain evidence-informed, advanced knowledge in the tri-specialty areas of wound, ostomy, and continence that they can confidently translate into practice. Not only can this confidence help registered practical nurses/licensed practical nurses and diploma RNs like Shanon advocate for their own skills as professionals, but advocate for patients’ needs too.