The Therapy Nursing ( Etn ) - 1362 Words

Enterostomal Therapy Nursing (ETN) has changed a lot in the last 50 years and continues to evolve today. The first ET Nurses were individuals who had undergone bowel surgery and their own experiences motivated them to help others learn to care for their ostomy (LeBlanc, Christensen, and McNaughton, 2005). In 1976, the entry to practice was limited to Licenced Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses. In 2005, entrance to the program became baccalaureate degree or higher (leBlanc, 2005). Wound care is currently a function of the Registered Nurse (CRNBC, 2015) and the ET Nurse assesses wounds and ostomies, consults with physicians to co-ordinate specialty care and educates other nurses to better care for their patients. The education level of the ET Nurse may change to become a Masters Prepared Nurse (Doughty, 2013) or the ET Nurse may function in the role of a Nurse Practitioner. Our population is aging and living longer. More than 4.7 million Canadians are 65 or older and developing chronic conditions and diseases and, along with aging, poor lifestyle choices are leading to increases in chronic diseases such as arthritis and diabetes (National Expert Commission, 2012). There will be increased focus on chronic disease management and health promotion with the goal of improving the individual’s quality of life and allowing them to stay in their own homes longer. This change will reduce healthcare costs by decreasing the need for institutional care (CNA update 2012) but