This topic is about someone who has just embarked on an exciting journey to become a stomal therapy nurse. They have accepted an offer to study for a Bachelor of Nursing at Newcastle University in Australia. Here's the plan they have laid out:

- Three years of study to complete their nursing degree.
- One year of working as a graduate nurse to gain practical experience.
- Further training to specialize as a stomal therapy nurse.

They are reaching out to the community for support and good wishes as they start this new career path.

In their journey, they also wanted to confirm their understanding of the abbreviation "WOCN," which stands for "Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing."

Here are some pieces of advice and insights shared by experienced nurses:

1. Experienced nurses, some with 17 to 30 years in the field, have welcomed this decision. They believe that having an ostomy will provide valuable insight when caring for others with ostomies.

2. It's important to explore all areas of nursing during training. While the WOCN specialty is rewarding, having a broad range of experience is beneficial.

3. Consider how and when to share your personal experience with an ileostomy with classmates. One person shared that they received high marks when presenting on ulcerative colitis due to their personal experience.

4. New nursing graduates often lack practical knowledge about stomas, highlighting the need for specialized education. An ostomate entering the field can help bridge this gap.

5. Nurses with personal ostomy experience can contribute significantly by helping design better ostomy products and educating other staff about the differences between ileostomies and colostomies.