Stoma Therapist

A wound, ostomy, and continence nurse helps people with complex wounds, surgical openings for waste called ostomies, and bladder or bowel control problems. You assess a patient's skin and wound, choose dressings and appliances, teach people how to care for themselves, and work with surgeons and primary care teams. Much of the job is education and reassurance, because patients may feel anxious or embarrassed. You might see people in a hospital before surgery, at the bedside afterward, and later in a clinic to troubleshoot problems.