Beyond the Outpatient Clinic: High-Risk Clinical Exposure and Employment Inequities Among Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses in Türkiye
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCNs) frequently provide bedside care across multiple hospital settings, including intensive care units and other high-risk clinical environments. However, despite these responsibilities, many are administratively classified as outpatient nurses and may not receive the employment benefits available to staff formally assigned to high-risk units. This study aimed to describe WOCNs' involvement in high-risk clinical settings, their occupational exposures, and their employment benefits in Türkiye. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 WOCNs working in seven geographical regions of Türkiye. Data were collected through an online questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, time spent in high-risk clinical units during the previous month, occupational exposures, compensation status, and perceptions of working in these settings. Ethical approval and institutional permission were obtained prior to data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were examined using content analysis. Results: Participants had worked as WOCNs for a mean of 4.67 ± 4.75 years. During the previous month, WOCNs spent substantial time in high-risk clinical environments, particularly in intensive care units (median 40 [interquartile range (IQR), 10–80] hours), and palliative care centers (median 5 [IQR, 0–38.5] hours). The most frequently reported occupational exposures were blood (93%), feces (89%), and urine (83%). Although WOCNs regularly provided care in high-risk units, 76.0% reported not receiving the additional compensation available to staff officially assigned to these units. Qualitative findings revealed perceived inequities related to compensation, high infection exposure risk, excessive workload, barriers to certification, and assignments outside their area of expertise. Conclusion: Participants had worked as WOCNs for a mean of 4.67 ± 4.75 years. During the previous month, WOCNs spent substantial time in high-risk clinical environments, particularly in intensive care units (median 40 [interquartile range (IQR), 10–80] hours), and palliative care centers (median 5 [IQR, 0–38.5] hours). The most frequently reported occupational exposures were blood (93%), feces (89%), and urine (83%). Although WOCNs regularly provided care in high-risk units, 76.0% reported not receiving the additional compensation available to staff officially assigned to these units. Qualitative findings revealed perceived inequities related to compensation, high infection exposure risk, excessive workload, barriers to certification, and assignments outside their area of expertise.
Language: English
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7207588015