[mogiee]

I am currently a cardiac nurse and have accepted a position as an ortho nurse at the hospital where I work. This will be the first time I have worked in orthopedics. Can anyone tell me what to expect and how it compares to cardiac nursing?

[P_RN]

If it is a primarily elective ortho procedure floor, the patients have been cleared by their PMD to have surgery. That being said most of the patients are elderly with all the accompanying medical problems of that age group.

Trauma/ortho will have a little of everything.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the two units will be less similar than if you went from cardiac to cardiothoracic or cardiac stepdown. I frankly love ortho because you can repair your patient and he goes home better than he came in. Our code cart was used less than 2-3 x a year. Regular ortho patients don't die.....mostly.

[meownsmile]

I agree with Prn,, orhtos are great patients to work with for the most part. Sure you have your NH granny who is confused and fell, broke her hip and thats ok. They usually are a pretty short stay (3 nights) post op and they go back to the NH for PT. Elective arthroplasties are usually pretty straight up and do pretty well. There is a lot of muscle work to do though before they get moving again. The first couple days can be pretty physical. But if you learn to lift safely, there isnt a problem.

[LouisianaNurse2006]

Since I am starting in Ortho as a new graduate next month, I am interested in the Pros and Cons of the Orthopaedic Floor....... give me the best and worst parts of working in Ortho!

Also, is it normally spelled Orthopedics or Orthopaedics where you work? I have seen it both ways online. At the hospital I will be working they always refer to it as the "Ortho" floor, but I don't want to look stupid when I have to spell it out!

Thanks!

[Sueilp]

Originally Posted by LouisianaNurse2006

Since I am starting in Ortho as a new graduate next month, I am interested in the Pros and Cons of the Orthopaedic Floor....... give me the best and worst parts of working in Ortho!

Also, is it normally spelled Orthopedics or Orthopaedics where you work? I have seen it both ways online. At the hospital I will be working they always refer to it as the "Ortho" floor, but I don't want to look stupid when I have to spell it out!

Thanks!

I am from the UK and we spell it Orthopaedics, but I am now in the USA and found everyone spells it Orthopedics. I am on an Ortho unit and everybody refers to it as Ortho. Have only been on the Unit 2 weeks!

[P_RN]

To me it's Orthopaedics. And I'm in the USA. Small way of distinguishing that you know about the "real" spelling. naon.....National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses also uses the ae.