Episode 111 EP 111: Palliative Prowess: The Role of Specialist-Level WOC Nurses


On this episode of WOCTalk, we sit down with Dr. Charles Tilley, PhD, ANP-BC, ACHPN, CWOCN, to discuss the role of the specialist-level WOC nurse in hospice and palliative settings. Dr. Tilley dives into his recent JWOCN-published study on the impact of co-occurring symptoms in advanced cancer patients. Dr. Tilley advocates for dual certification in hospice and palliative care, and even triple certification in wound, ostomy, and continence care. Discover the significance of certifications and the crucial role of education in ensuring top-notch care in hospice and palliative settings.

Episode Resources:
Click here to view the article “Impact of Co-occurring Cancer-Related and Wound-Specific Symptoms on Functional Performance Among Patients With Advanced Cancer and Malignant Fungating Wounds” published in the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN) Nov/Dec 2023 issue.
Click here to learn about the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) certification.
Click here to learn about the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN®) certification.
Click here to learn about the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence CWOCN® certification.
Click here to view the face sheet “How Does a Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Fit into your Palliative/Hospice Care Team?” published in 2013.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Charles Tilley is an Adult Primary Care and Pain and Palliative Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and a post-master’s certificate in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. He brings 33 years of clinical, administrative, and education experience to the profession, currently in the role of Assistant Director of Graduate Simulation at NYU Meyers. Dr. Tilley’s most recent clinical work was as Hospice Attending, WOC Nurse, and Nurse Scientist at Calvary Hospital. His research interests include palliative oncology, palliative wound care, symptom science, and simulation outcomes. He has received grants from both the American Cancer Society and The Calvary Fund to study the symptom experience of patients with advanced cancer and malignant fungating wounds.