Title: Role of the wound and ostomy specialist nurse in Colombia
Abstract:
Colombia's National Policy on Nursing Human Resources and Strategic Plan 2020–2030 highlight issues revealing a lack of knowledge regarding the characterization and development of the profession within the country, including postgraduate training. This issue extends to graduates of the specialization program in Wound and Ostomy Care—a pioneering program established by the Universidad del Valle in 2009. Seventeen years later, these graduates are still seeking to define their role within the healthcare system, and questions remain regarding this segment of the nursing workforce. Objective: To examine certain aspects of the professional environment of Universidad del Valle graduates specializing in wound and ostomy care.
Methodology: A descriptive, phenomenological qualitative study was conducted, involving interviews with 15 graduates of the specialization program who had over three years of professional experience in their field, carried out between 2022 and 2023. Following informed consent, virtual interviews were scheduled, recorded, and transcribed, enabling data analysis using the Atlas.ti software.
Results: Three categories emerge. Regarding the professional aspect, they achieve career development across functions or roles such as management, administration, teaching, research, and direct patient care despite noting diverse employment arrangements chosen for their convenience regarding scheduling and remuneration. In the academic category, they identify both strengths and areas for improvement. In the social category, the specialist's care improves the quality of life for patients and their families, reduces healthcare system costs, and fosters community integration through care for the individual and family; specialists act as leaders in the field, provide health education, prevent skin injuries, and contribute to the humanization of care. Regarding the impact on the specialist's own life, they report an improved quality of life, recognize themselves as professional leaders, and cultivate compassion.
Conclusions: Wound and ostomy specialists the designation used in Colombia work across all areas of the nursing profession in the country, and their functions are aligned with those roles; however, their compensation does not include a salary differential. Their practice demonstrates autonomy, leadership, and a humanized approach, with a strong emphasis on patient, family, and multidisciplinary team education. They describe their specialized care in accordance with the occupational profile, reflecting the high quality of their training.
Keywords: Nursing, Wounds, Ostomies, Professional Role, Leadership.
