How to Become an Orthopedic Nurse
As an orthopedic nurse, you’ll be at the forefront of treating musculoskeletal injuries. In this role, you’ll be fitting braces and splints, educating patients on proper body mechanics, and assisting with the use of orthopedic equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, and prosthetics. This specialty combines the thrill of surgical support with the satisfaction of seeing patients getting back on their feet — literally.
If you’re considering jumping into this meaningful specialty, you’re in the right place. This article’s your go-to guide to kick-start your journey into orthopedic nursing.
Orthopedic Nurse: Career Snapshot
- Role: Restore and enhance musculoskeletal health.
- Duties: Assess, manage, and treat a range of bone, joint, and muscle conditions, from fractures to post-surgical care.
- Workplaces: Orthopedic clinics, hospitals, sports medicine facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
- Path: Nursing degree, experience in orthopedic settings, followed by optional orthopedic certification.
- Timeline: Approximately 2 to 4 years.
What Is Orthopedic Nursing?
Orthopedic nursing is a specialized field within nursing focused on the care of patients with conditions affecting their bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. In this field, you’ll treat a diverse range of conditions, including:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Bone disorders, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Congenital musculoskeletal conditions, such as clubfoot and hip dysplasia
- Bone infection, also known as osteomyelitis
- Joint replacements (e.g., hip, knee)
- Sports injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and rotator cuff tears
What Do Orthopedic Nurses Do?
In addition to typical nursing responsibilities like head-to-toe assessments, medication administration, and documentation, orthopedic nursing includes:
- Assisting with the closed reduction of fractures.
- Applying and removing casts, splints, and braces.
- Setting up and managing skeletal traction for bone alignment.
- Assisting with arthroscopic equipment setup.
- Preparing patients for orthopedic surgeries.
- Educating patients on the use of crutches, walkers, and other mobility aids.
- Guiding patients through post-operative physical therapy exercises.
- Managing continuous passive motion (CPM) machines for joint recovery.
- Preparing patients for diagnostic procedures like X-rays, MRIs, and bone density tests.
Where Can Orthopedic Nurses Work?
These specialists have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, each offering unique opportunities to apply their specialized skills in musculoskeletal care. Here’s a list of places where these nurses can find employment:
- Ambulatory surgical centers
- Home health care
- Long-term care facilities
- Military hospitals and clinics
- Orthopedic clinics
- Pediatric hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Surgical centers
- Sports medicine clinics
- Trauma centers
How to Become an Orthopedic RN
Getting into this meaningful nursing specialty may be simpler than you think. Here’s your guide to beginning your orthopedic nursing path:
1. Earn a Nursing Degree
Your orthopedic nurse schooling starts with earning either an associate or bachelor degree in nursing (BSN). Through a mix of coursework and clinical rotations, you’ll gain the solid foundation required to handle patient care.
2. Obtain a Nursing Licensure
To become a licensed registered nurse (RN), you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and provide all necessary paperwork to your state’s nursing board.
3. Gain Experience
You might land an orthopedic role as a new grad, but some employers prefer experienced nurses. Consider these relevant specialties to build strong nursing skills:
- Acute care
- Intensive care units (ICUs)
- Progressive care
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Neurology care
- Emergency room nursing
4. Attain Specialty-Specific Certification
To boost your credibility and skills, consider pursuing an Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) from the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB). To sit for the exam, you’ll need two years of nursing experience, including 1,000 hours in a relevant setting, and a valid, unrestricted nursing license.
5. Pursue Advanced Education (Optional)
Want to reach new heights? Consider advanced degrees like a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) Although this step isn’t required to enter this field, these degrees can open doors to primarily care or teaching roles.
How Much Do Orthopedic Nurses Make?
The national average nursing salary in the U.S. is $94,480 a year, though this can vary depending on your experience, education, and where you work.
One of the perks of being a nurse is the flexibility to work across different parts of the country. Your orthopedic nurse salary may be higher in these states:
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthopedic Nursing
How many years of college does it take to become an orthopedic nurse?
The fastest way to become a nurse is by pursuing an associate degree in nursing (ADN), which can be completed in approximately two years. You might also need to complete prerequisites — specialized courses required by nursing schools before they accept you into a program. This may take you additional one to two years, depending on your study schedule. So, overall, your education journey can take two to four years.
Adult vs. pediatric orthopedic nurse — what’s the difference?
Besides managing bone and joint conditions in children, pediatric orthopedic nurses specialize in treating congenital conditions such as hip dysplasia, clubfoot, and scoliosis. They also deal with growth plate injuries and juvenile arthritis, providing care that’s tailored to the specific needs of young patients.
Orthopedic vs. trauma nurse — what’s the difference?
Orthopedic nurses focus on treating bone and joint issues, like fractures, arthritis, and joint replacements. Trauma nurses, on the other hand, deal with emergency situations involving severe injuries from accidents or violence; they are usually found in emergency departments, handling critical cases.
What are continuing education opportunities for orthopedic nurses?
Staying on top of recent advancement in the field is one of the key responsibilities of a nurse. Orthopedic salary upgrade, patient satisfaction boost, and resume power-up are all possible outcomes of continuing education. Consider exploring these opportunities to stay on top of the game:
- Attending nursing conferences
- Taking continuing education courses
- Participating in specialized workshops and seminars
- Joining professional organizations, such as National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON)
- Reading orthopedic nursing journals for for the latest evidence-based practices
What is the career outlook for nurses in this field?
The demand for registered nurses, including those working in the orthopedic field, is expected to increase by 6% in the next decade, which is faster than the average for all jobs. With over 7 million orthopedic injury cases a year, there’s a steady demand for professionals in this field.
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