Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program

The Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program is geared towards RPN, LPN and Diploma RNs who want to advance their knowledge in the areas in Wound, Ostomy and Continence. Upon completion they will be eligible to use the SWAN designation.
What is the SWAN™ Program?
The Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute, developed the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (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™ education program as a means to support and empower NSWOCs and improve clinical outcomes by enhancing wound, ostomy and continence care teams. The SWAN™ program prepares non-specialty nurses to provide basic, bedside wound, ostomy and continence care.
Skilled nurses provide optimal patient care.
The 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.
Course Length
- Two cohorts per year starting in February and August respectively.
- Courses are four (4) months long.
Topics Covered
- Integumentary System
- Wounds
- Ostomies
- Continence Care

Education Program Resources
Ready to Apply?
Prior to starting your application please refer to the admission requirements
Questions or Concerns:
Suzanne Sarda
Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute
Administrative Assistant
414-35, Allée de Hambourg, Gatineau, Quebec J9J 4J6
Office: Toll free at 1-877-614-1262
Academic Tuition
WOC Student Associate Registration
Course Admin Fee
Program Cost
Academic Tuition:
- $3,000.00
- May be paid online, and payment by installments can be arranged
NSWOCC WOC Student Associate Membership:
- $146.00 (This will be added to the Ostomy Course Tuition)
- SWAN Students are required to be WOC Student Associate Members which costs $100.00 and to purchase the Journal of Wound Ostomy and Continence which costs $46.00. The NSWOCC Membership includes access to the CINAHL Library for literature searches. Membership must be kept up to date for the duration of the program. This can be purchased during the program application and acceptance process. For information on membership please go to https://nswoc.ca/become-a-member/
Course Admin Fee:
- $50.00
Textbooks
NOTICE: The SWAN Program uses the new Core Curriculum Texts produced by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses Society. If you have questions please contact the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute Chair: Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc at chair@wocinstitute.ca.
Ostomy:
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ Core Curriculum: Ostomy Management, 1st edition
WOLTERS KLUWER LWW LIPPINCOTT
ISBN: 9781451194395
Wound:
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ Core Curriculum: Wound Management, 1st edition
WOLTERS KLUWER LWW LIPPINCOTT
ISBN: 9781451194401
Wound, Ostomy & Continence Institute students are able to purchase these books directly from the publisher at a discount. Students are encouraged to purchase their books early, to ensure that they have them at the opening of the course. Students are may go directly to Login Canada and purchase their textbooks at a discount. Please go to lb.ca/wocinstitute
Continence:
All continence readings will be provided by the WOC Institute
Please check your provincial nursing association for potential funding opportunities!
- College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses
- Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario
- College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Prince Edward Island (CLPNPEI)
- Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers auxiliaires du Québec
- College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba
- Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
- College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
- British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals