WCC^®  Preceptor FAQ

WCC Preceptor Handbook

Question:

How long after completing my education course do I have to complete my preceptorship?

Answer:

You must complete the 120-hour clinical preceptorship within one year of course completion. You have a total of two years (and four exam attempts) from the course completion date in which to pass the NAWCO certification exam. NAWCO suggests you do not wait too long to schedule your exam, in case you are unsuccessful on your first exam attempt and need to allow time for re-exams.

Question:

Can my preceptor be anyone who is certified in wound care?

Answer:

Your preceptor must be approved by NAWCO.^.  Wound care credentials that would qualify include the WCC^®, CWCN^®, CWON^®, CWOCN^®, CWS^®.

Question:

My coworker is a CWCA^®. Could she serve as my preceptor for the WCC certification?

Answer:

No, the CWCA offered by the ABWM is not recognized by the NAWCO for our preceptor program.

Question:

Will my preceptor’s facility allow me as an outsider to come in and precept with one of their employees?

Answer:

This is entirely up to the facility. A number of certification programs do require preceptorships and many facilities are accustomed to allowing non-employees in to be precepted by their employees. However, they may require some type of agreement to be in place for liability reasons.

Question:

If I agree to become a NAWCO approved preceptor, will you give out my contact info to strangers?

Answer:

We will only include individuals who choose to be a Public Preceptor to be included in the public list.

Question:

If I become a preceptor for aspiring WCCs, what’s in it for me?

Answer:

There is a personal fulfillment that one has by precepting as it’s a way of “paying it forward” to help new WCC candidates.

Serving as a Preceptor and working with at least one WCC candidate is one of the four pathways towards WCC Recertification. It is called Recertification by Mentoring.

Question:

Can I precept someone in their own facility?

Answer:

If the facility agrees to this arrangement then you can. They may first require an agreement to be in place, however, since you are not an employee. You may also precept someone in your own facility if your facility agrees to it. Again, an agreement may be required to be in place first.

Question:

If the facility where I am doing my preceptorship requires an agreement to be in place, will I need to provide that for them?

Answer:

Most facilities that do require an agreement to be in place will have their own document which they will ask you to sign.

Question:

I want to become Wound Care Certified through NAWCO. Can you help me find a preceptor?

Answer:

Check the list of current approved public Preceptors.

Question:

I am a CNA, and I am going to school currently for my RN. I will have my license in about 6 months. Can I complete my education course and preceptorship now, and then sit for the exam once I am licensed?

Answer:

You may take your education course at any time, as no RN license is required. However, you must have your RN license prior to beginning the preceptorship, which must be completed within one year of course completion.

Question:

Do clinical preceptors get paid for their participation in my preceptor training?

Answer:

Preceptors may charge you for their time. The amount would be agreed upon between you and your preceptor.

Question:

How much does it cost for a student to hire a preceptor?

Answer:

This is an arrangement between you and your preceptor. NAWCO must not get involved in setting charges for preceptors.