Orthopedic Nurse
What is an Orthopedic Nurse?
An orthopedic nurse helps patients with musculoskeletal issues including broken or fractured bones, arthritis, osteoporosis, joint replacements, and other injuries and diseases. This often includes assisting in orthopedic surgeries as well as following up during recovery to ensure that patients are properly regaining strength and range of motion. In addition, orthopedic nurses are trained in casting, traction, and other therapeutic measures for those suffering from musculoskeletal problems, and often educate and train patients on ways to alleviate symptoms and prevent further injury.
How to Become an Orthopedic Nurse
To gain experience, nurses who have worked in critical care, emergency room, surgical or other applicable settings will be well-poised to work within the orthopedic specialty. There are also continuing education courses related to orthopedics that can be completed for those interested in going into the field, including specialized courses in osteoporosis care, osteoarthritis care, and bodily trauma.
What Are the Schooling Requirements for Orthopedic Nurses?
Earning an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed in the state is required. Many hospitals prefer a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree but it is not a requirement for all hospitals. Those wanting to continue their orthopedic nursing education are encouraged to complete a Master's degree or higher.
Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?
The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification exam (ONC) is the specific certification for the orthopedic nurse. Eligibility requirements include working as an orthopedic nurse for at least 1000 hours, working as an RN for at least 2 years, and having an unencumbered RN license. Contact hours are required for renewal.
As you can see, the exact amount of time that you’ll need to invest in your education, licensure, and certification can vary — here is a breakdown of how long you can expect with each milestone:
| Description | Timeline | |
| ADN/ASN or BSN | Foundational nursing education, includes coursework and clinical experience | ADN: 2-3 years, BSN: 4 years |
| Registered Nurse Licensure | Passing the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain RN licensure | After completing ADN or BSN (typically 1-3 months of preparation) |
| Clinical Experience | Gaining experience working as an RN, preferably in orthopedic settings | 1-2 years |
| Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) | Certification demonstrating specialized knowledge in orthopedic nursing | RN license, 2 years RN experience, 1,000 hours in orthopedic practice within the last 3 years, passing the ONC exam |
What Does an Orthopaedic Nurse Do?
Orthopedic nurses have many daily tasks, including seeing new patients and assessing symptoms, monitoring existing patients, and providing follow-up care to surgical patients. They also help with casting and wound dressing for the recently injured as well as motion therapy for those recuperating from injuries.
A large part of an orthopedic nurse's job involves pain management. They often help administer, monitor, and assess pain medications for patients and explain proper procedures to help minimize further injury and infection, thus minimizing future pain.
Where Do Orthopedic Nurses Work?
Typically, orthopedic nurses work in:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Private practices
- Home health agencies
- Assisted living centers
- Outpatient care facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Sports medicine and physical therapy
What Are the Roles and Duties of an Orthopedic Nurse?
- Assist doctors in providing care for musculoskeletal problems
- Monitor patients' vital signs
- Help treat injuries with wound dressings or castings
- Get a patient on a pain management schedule and assist in administering pain medications and monitoring for reactions and allergies
- Educate patients on how to safely recuperate from surgery or injuries at home
- Help patients improve strength and mobility following the correction of a musculoskeletal issue
What Does an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Do?
Nurse practitioners are healthcare providers that help meet patient care demands. In some states, nurse practitioners function independently. While nurse practitioner schools offer specialties in more general care areas such as family medicine or acute care, nurse practitioners can even further specialize in residency programs in subspecialties such as cardiology or orthopedics.
Orthopedic nurse practitioners have a variety of job duties. They see patients with many different musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. They can evaluate patients in the clinic setting or in the hospital setting, and order imaging, treatments, and procedures for patients. They may assist in orthopedic surgeries and setting broken bones, as well as perform joint injections, set casts, or place splints. They also track healing from treatment interventions and order subsequent tests, plan follow-up care, and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team (i.e. physical therapists, staff nurses, and nutritionists) to ensure patient needs are met.
Orthopedic NPs can even earn certification in the field. The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) offers certification for NPs. Requirements for certification include:
- Three years of experience as an RN or APRN
- Have a current, valid RN or APRN license
- Hold a master's degree or higher
Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of APRN experience within the previous three years in the orthopedic or musculoskeletal specialty, or who are enrolled in an orthopedic fellowship or residency program through an accredited university.
Orthopedic Nurse Salary & Employment
The average salary of an orthopedic nurse is $86,070. Many things can affect salary, however, including experience, location, certifications, and education. The setting an orthopedic nurse practices in can also cause wage fluctuations, as orthopedic nurses can work in a variety of medical settings. Here is a table that demonstrates the full range of salaries you can expect as an orthopedic nurse:
| Yearly Salary | |
| Lowest 10% of Earners | $63,720 |
| Lowest 25% of Earners | $75,990 |
| Median | $86,070 |
| Top 25% of Earners | $104,670 |
| Highest Earners | $132,680 |
Due to the aging population, the demand for orthopedic nurses continues to rise, making the job outlook very promising. Employers in many settings are in need of skilled orthopedic nurses, so RNs in this particular specialty tend to be attractive hires.
Helpful Organizations, Societies, and Agencies
- National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses
- Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board
- Orthopaedic Nursing Journal
- Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing
