FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2025
Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care Invests in Skin and Wound Care Education for 90 Long-Term Care Registered Practical Nurses through NSWOCC®’s Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program.
[Ottawa, Ontario] — Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®)’s Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute is proud to announce their partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care in a groundbreaking initiative to enhance wound, ostomy, and continence care expertise in Ontario’s long-term care homes.
As part of this initiative, the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care has created the Skin and Wound Professional Growth Fund, providing one-time funding for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This funding supports professional education and training, including backfilling staff who participate in skin and wound care education programs.
Hon. Natalie Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care, announced that this investment will make it easier for long-term care homes to access world-class educational programs and improve the quality of care provided to their residents.
Empowering Long-Term Care Nurses through the SWAN Program
Through this initiative, registration & tuition fees will be covered for 90 nurses to enrol in the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program, offered by NSWOCC®’s WOC Institute. This Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)-accredited program provides advanced knowledge in wound, ostomy, and continence care, preparing nurses to become leaders in their field and champions in their workplaces, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
SWANs are uniquely recognized for their advanced knowledge and their contributions as wound, ostomy and continence nurse champions in their workplaces and communities across Canada.
The five-month SWAN Program features:
26 online modules covering wound, ostomy, and continence care.
A self-directed clinical preceptorship.
Ongoing mentorship with CNA-certified NSWOCs.
Bi-weekly interactive learning sessions.
These 90 participants will be enrolled in a dedicated cohort separate from the WOC Institute’s regular winter 2025 intake, ensuring focused support and mentorship throughout their educational journey.
How to Apply
Long-term care nurses can apply for this opportunity by completing the application form available at: www.wocinstitute.ca/swan#ltc
Deadline: Applications must be received by 5:00 PM EST on February 15, 2025.
Eligibility: Applicants must be practical nurses or diploma-educated RNs employed in Ontario long-term care homes.
About the Skin and Wound Professional Growth Fund
The Skin and Wound Professional Growth Fund ensures that education and training dollars directly support staff who provide care for residents in Ontario’s long-term care homes. This dedicated funding is outside of the level-of-care envelopes and is protected to ensure its use for professional growth. Eligible expenses include program registration fees, backfill costs, and other expenses outlined in the Ministry’s funding policy.
For further details on this funding, including eligible expenses, please see the following:
If you have any questions for the Ministry, please contact them at ltc.info@ontario.ca
Transforming Care through Education
“We are thrilled to partner with the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care on this important initiative,” said Kimberly Leblanc, Academic Chair of the WOC Institute. “By investing in the education and development of long-term care staff, we are advancing specialized nursing care, enhancing the quality of life for residents, and ensuring better patient outcomes across Ontario.”
“We thank the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care for taking action to improve wound, ostomy and continence capacity in long-term care across Ontario” said Catherine Harley, Chief Executive Officer of NSWOCC®.
For more information on the SWAN Program, visit: www.wocinstitute.ca/swan
About NSWOCC®
Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC®) is a registered charity for over 600 nurses specialized in the nursing care of patients with challenges in wound, ostomy and continence and over 1,100 total Members and Associates.
NSWOCC® provides national leadership in wound, ostomy, and continence care, promoting high standards of practice, education, research, and advocacy to achieve quality specialized nursing care.
About the WOC Institute
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Institute is operated by NSWOCC® to provide accessible, high-quality education programs that equip healthcare professionals with the tools needed to excel in wound, ostomy, and continence care.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Catherine Harley
Chief Executive Officer
Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Canada
Phone: 1-888-739-5072
Email: office@nswoc.ca
Website: www.nswoc.ca