Wound Management Fundamentals Course

This course prepares healthcare professionals to practice evidence-based wound management with expanded skills and knowledge. Content is based on national wound management guidelines for a broad range of wounds.

This course runs twice per year, in the Spring and in the Fall. Participants complete 6 weeks’ worth of online content prior to the workshop.

The course is presented in two parts:

• Six Weeks Online Learning: The online phase of the course is taken independently and establishes a baseline level of knowledge for each participant. All assignments are completed and submitted online and can be accessed 24/7.
• Workshop: Following the online phase, participants attend a workshop that includes additional lectures, demonstrations, and skill development. Registrants attend the workshop at the location and dates designated by the Agency Coordinator. Individual registrants come in person at the UW Seattle Campus or choose to follow online.

If you are an agency and are interested in becoming a co-sponsor, click here. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive 30 CEs.

“As a result of this class, my standard of care has been raised and I am a more proactive nurse. My assessments are more thorough, my care plans are more detailed, and I am a more confident nurse when it comes to wound care.”

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the basic structure and function of the skin.
• Identify changes in the integumentary system over the life span.
• Describe effective techniques for preventing skin damage.
• Describe the normal stages of wound healing.
• Describe the impact of comorbidities on wound development and closure.
• Identify systemic factors, such as nutrition, perfusion, and pathology that influence healing outcomes.
• Assess and measure wounds including venous, arterial, diabetic/neuropathic, and pressure injuries.
• Describe wound product categories.
• Demonstrate competencies in pressure injury staging, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement, application of selected compression wraps, and documentation.

Course Format

The course is presented in two parts:

• Online Learning: The online phase of the course is taken independently and establishes a baseline level of knowledge for each participant. All assignments are completed and submitted online and can be accessed 24/7. 
• Workshop: Following the online phase, participants attend a workshop that includes additional lectures, demonstrations and skill development. Individual registrants attend an in-person workshop, with a virtual option as needed. Registrants employed by a co-sponsoring agency attend the workshop at their agency location and on the dates designated by the Agency Coordinator.

“Knowing the principles for maintaining a physiological local wound environment helped me provide patients with the wound care they needed and provide my co-worker with knowledge to use for future wound encounters.”

Planning Committee

• Birgit Peterson, RN, CWCN – Workshop Instructor
• Beth Carlson, MSN, MS, BSN, BA, RN, CWON
• Kristen Childress, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, AGNP-C, CWCN-AP
• Ade Chu, PhD, MEd, RN – UW CNE, Associate Director

Please contact wmfc@uw.edu.