Wound care is a fundamental skill taught to nursing students early on in their three-year programmes. Students normally spend a significant component of their training within acute care settings and in the past would have gained a wealth of experience in caring for patients with wounds. However, given technological advances, less invasive surgical techniques and shor ter stays in hospital, students are no longer exposed to such experience and are often dependant on their, normally limited, 12-week community care experience to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills regarding wound assessment, care and management.
