The WCET® & Global Enterostomal Therapy Nursing Education

Abstract

Enterostomal Therapist is just one of the titles used globally to identify nurses trained in the specialty of ostomy, wound and continence nursing (OWC). Enterostomal Therapy involves components of expert clinical practice, education, leadership and research. Enterostomal Therapists (ETs) are entrusted to be accountable for using their expertise to provide consultation for patients, physicians, nurses, health care organisations and the public. As ETs we are responsible for our education, in developing our expertise and in ensuring our knowledge is up to date in order to base our practice on current evidence. We also need to be discerning enough to know when evidence warrants a change in practice and how to translate this evidence at the bedside for individual patients. The acquisition of knowledge, skills and competence required to develop the expertise necessary to care for patients with these complex conditions, is generally via formal education, clinical supervision and mentorship, experience gained over years working in the field, and last but not least self-study using the principles of adult learning.