Continuing Ortho Education for the little nurse

(beware, this post might jsut end up as self therapy....)

Beside self initated continuing education courses...does anyone know of any advanced education/certification in orhtopaedics for the LPN?

Background. Military setting. I assess and work up an avg of 80-120 patients a day for 3 docs. One a GP, one Ortho and one Sports Med/Ortho. High population of stress fx, with the daily completed femoral neck and femur. Lots of MTP, shoulder D/L....anyway I love it. I mean I LOOOOOOOOOVE my job!!! Stress doesnt even begin to describe our little clinic that sees 250-300 patients a day who desire to be noncompliant with ever order. But after these past few years, I think I have finally found my niche - Ortho. But, having a hard time continuing or finding certification at the wee LPN level. I have NO desire to become an RN. (No offense) But in this setting, where I CHOOSE to work, our RN is admin and not patient care. If I advance to RN and certify in Ortho, I cant work in this clinic. Im not shy in education, could complete BSN or PA-C in < 2 yrs. I have a dual masters and BS and AS. But none in nursing. I was NEVER going to become a nurse (who knew...). Darn, forgot the moral of this post.

I attend ever seminar I can afford to (cash and vacation time). And study my rear off. Would jsut be nice to advance more, but still within my scope. It wont get me promoted or a raise. Just, a recognition in my own little personal world.

For any of you who arent familiar with Military Health care, ask away. Pros and Cons jsut like anywhere else.

Im so jealous of Canada!, They allow and encourage certification in specialties for their LPNs.

If anyone has any ideas, Im a sponge...thnx