To the Editor:

It is with the utmost respect that I write in response to the Letter to the Editor titled "The Focus of WOC Nursing Revisited" written by Mike D'Orazio in the March/April 2011 issue of JWOCN. Admittedly, I have never written a "letter to the editor" but feel compelled to express my thoughts on Mr D'Orazio's very passionate commentary. After reading (and re-reading) his letter several times, I came away thinking that Mr D'Orazio may be sadly misinterpreting the current state of affairs in WOC nursing.

Let's face it; no one "goes into WOC nursing" unless they have a true and unique passion for patients with wound, ostomy and/or incontinence issues. It is not a practice for the faint of heart. And may I be so bold as to say that not only do we have a passion in providing our unique skills, but we actually like doing what we do. That said, it is hurtful to think that a fellow WOC is somehow disappointed in this newer breed of WOC nurses filling our hospitals, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities. The truth, as is universal for all of nursing practice, is that we must do more and more with less and less. The fact is, the current hot topic in WOC nursing is pressure ulcers (in every way, shape and form)! And not because it is what we like to do (although some of us do actually like pressure ulcers), but because this is what is hitting healthcare facilities in the pocket. Our healthcare administrators rely on their WOC nurses to spend their time educating direct nursing staff in pressure ulcer prevention, assessment, and management. The proverbial "buck stops here" is the current state of affairs.

Oh how I wish we had the luxury of being able to focus on just one type of patient, for as much time as we want, but we are WOC nurses, and shine all of our facets equally. Right now, patients need us to spread the word about the prevention and care of their life-threatening wounds. Tomorrow, the tides may change. Please know that it is not necessarily our choice, but our duty to assign ourselves where the need arises.

Lisa Owens, BS, RN, CWOCN

Acute Care

Baltimore, Maryland