[trainer2070]

I have a question about ortho RN's. What kind of education outside of the AAS or BSN do you need to become an orthopedic nurse?

I'm currently finishing up my BS in kinesiology and need to decide if I want to enter the professional phase of my athletic training program or go ortho RN. The length of the RN program and the professional phase of my ATEP are the same, so I won't lose anything by switching.

I'm heavily leaning to ortho RN, but need some insite as to what other educational qualifications I need in addition to the AAS or BSN in nursing.

[suzy253]

You can work on the orthopaedic floor as an RN with a AS, BSN or diploma grad.

[LouisianaNurse2006]

I got hired on the Ortho floor right out of nursing school with no other education. You learn the basics in nursing school and the details in orientation in the hospital. It's hard work and you have to really care about the patients and not become insensitive to their pain. If you have time you may be able to volunteer at a nearby hospital with an ortho floor to get a good idea of what your getting into. Good Luck.

[trainer2070]

Thanks for the information.