This program is for enterostomal therapy nurses, wound, ostomy and continence nurses, and others who will be caring for patients following ostomy surgery. There is no doubt that a colostomy or ileostomy can be a life-changing event. It will be your job not only to care for the stoma, but for the emotions of the person who must adjust to this new fact of his life. In this program we will briefly review the digestive system and some of the different kinds of ostomies, the main medical conditions that may lead a surgeon to create an ostomy, post-operative and daily care for an ostomy and how this may differ for different sorts of ostomies. We will also discuss helping the patient prepare for discharge and the rest of their new life.