Wound and Skin Care (Post Bachelor Professional Certificate)

The Professional Certificate in Wound and Skin Care focuses on the identification, prevention, estimation, management, evaluation, rehabilitation, and skin lesion education of the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team. Includes caring of wounds that affect tissue integrity in different population groups, including, but not limited to pressure, vascular, peripheral and diabetic ulcers; as well as conditions resulting from incontinence, surgical procedures and traumas, among others. Application of ethical and legal principles during intervention. Integration of evidence-based practice during skin and wound care. Requires 180 hours of theory and 180 hours of practice.

The Arecibo Campus is authorized to offer this Certificate.

Competency Profile of Graduates

The certificate is designed to develop the competencies that allow the student to:

Knowledge

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. the anatomy and physiology of the skin.
2. estimation, diagnosis, management and evaluation of wound and skin care.
3. evidence-based practice as a resource for the care of skin lesions.

Skills

1. Apply concepts and skills related to wound care and prevention, management and risk reduction.
2. Apply skills of estimation, diagnosis, patient management, education, and care management of skin alterations.
3. Evaluate the patient’s response to skin lesion problems.
4. Design protocols and guidelines for wound and skin care.
5. Provide health personnel with wound and skin care competency education.

Attitudes

1. Value teamwork as an effective means during treatment of a patient with skin lesions.
2. Encourage patient safety in the various health care settings.
3. Use ethical and legal principles during an intervention.

Admission Requirements

1. Comply with the admission regulations established in the Graduate Catalog.
2. Hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution.
3. Hold a permanent and current nursing license.
4. Submit the following original updated documents:
   1. Permanent license and registration issued by the Puerto Rico Board of Nursing
   2. Current nursing registration
   3. Negative certificate of criminal background
   4. Health certificate
   5. Certificate of vaccination against hepatitis B, influenza and chicken pox
   6. Respirators N-95 certification

Graduation Requirements

1. The student will pass the certificate in wound and skin care courses (Professional Certificate) with a minimum B grade.
2. The student will complete the certificate in wound and skin care (Professional Certificate) with a minimum 3:00 point grade average.
3. Comply with the requirements stated in the Graduate Catalog of the University.

Requirements for the Professional Certificate in Wound and Skin Care

Professional Certificate Requirements - 16 credits

WSCN 5000	Principles of Wound and Skin Care	3
WSCN 5010	Etiology of Skin Lesions	3
WSCN 5020	Management and Administration of Treatment: Biophysiological and Biophysical Agents	3
WSCN 5030	Management of Wound and Skin Care in Special Patient Populations	3
WSCN 6911	Practicum in Wound and Skin Care I	2
WSCN 6912	Practicum in Wound and Skin Care II	2