Orthopedic Surgical Nurse

Are you a nurse and want to branch out into a specialty? Are you someone who is thinking about a career in the nursing field? A career in Orthopedic Surgical Nursing might be just what you’re looking for! Just what does an Orthopedic Nurse do? Well, let’s check into it and find out.

An Orthopedic nurse cares for patients after arthroscopic surgery to help them regain their strength and mobility. You could also work with patients who have problems with their muscular skeleton systems before surgery. Some of these injuries or conditions could be total hip replacement or spine surgery. You would also be providing pain management, support and educating patients to enable them to perform to their highest function level. Helping provide patient education about using equipment such as braces, prosthetics and other orthopedic equipment also would be part of your job. You’ll learn about various equipment used to make patients more comfortable, improve mobility and help prevent complications. Orthopedic nurses also work with pre-and post operative orthopedic patients that have hand or upper extremity surgery, micro surgery, sports injuries and spine procedures. You can also work with patients who have arthritis, diabetes, fractures and congenital malformations.

Where do Orthopedic nurses work? This type of nurse works in hospitals, including specialty hospitals, extended health care facilities, home health agencies, physician offices and HMO’s. They can also be found in the trauma unit, gerontology, case management and staff education and also sports medicine. As you can see, the field is wide open to a lot of different options.

What qualities are needed in this type of career? For one thing, you have to have the ability to relate well to other people. You have to be considerate of a patient’s condition and be able to talk to patients about their fears and anxieties. You also need to have physical stamina, people skills, be able to work on a team and be flexible. Compassion, determination, patience and attention to details are essential characteristics. You have to be able to work effectively under stress, pressure and be able to make effective decisions in an emergency situation. There also can be difficult patients, stress and lots of paperwork. This career is an excellent choice for those individuals with a strong interest in orthopedics and providing care to a variety of patients.

What kind of schooling is required? Orthopedic nurses must be registered nurses with a diploma in nursing, associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. All registered nurses must become licensed by passing the National Council Licensure Examination-registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) certification requirements. Many orthopedic nurses gain voluntary professional certifications from the Orthopedic Nursing Certification Board. Certification requirements include minimum work experience and passing a written exam. You also must complete regular continuing education to maintain your licenses and certifications. You need to keep your skills up to date and stay on top of advancements in your field. You would be participating in seminars, workshop and conferences to advance these means.

With the Baby Boomers aging, there will be an increased need for orthopedic care in the near future. Job prospects are expected to be great for orthopedic nurses, especially those with extensive experience. A lot of job opportunities will open up from the need to replace orthopedic nurses that retire, transfer, or leave the field for other reasons. So if this is the type of nursing career you would be interested in, then check into how you can become an orthopedic nurse today!

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond and Healthcarejobsite. You can read more of her blogs on Healthcarejobsite blog.