An enterostomal nurse, sometimes called an ET nurse, is a registered nurse who works with patients with new or long-term ostomies, such as ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy.  An ET nurse is also specialty trained in caring for complex wounds such as pressure ulcers and treating wounds caused by incontinence.

ET nurses care for patients of all ages in office, hospital, and home health care settings. For patients with new stomas, the ET nurse will provide guidance and education about the care of the patient’s stoma, products, and appliance fitting. They are also the best knowledge base for troubleshooting issues such as leaking and can offer assistance and advice.

ET nurses must complete 50 hours of experience or complete a Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Program and pass a certification test given by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Board (WOCN).

Certifications Given by WOCN:

• Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
• Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON)
• Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
• Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCN)
• Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN)
• Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN)

There is also a society called Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) that has 5,000+ members.

Expert Witness Nurses Expert 4524

Expert 4524 is a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN), and has been certified through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Board since 1992. Since 1997, this expert has been working in private practice as an enterostomal consultant, contracted by facilities and private pay clients to provide direct patient care. Through her practice, this expert also consults as a foot care specialist with her Certified Foot Care Nurse (WOCNCB) certification, which she has held since 2010.  Expert 4524 has been a registered nurse since 1981, and is currently working in North Carolina, but is available nationwide.