Orthopedic Nursing

When I first started to work ortho I did it just for experience. I now absolutely love the orthopedic field. You deal with all ages and it is specified care. You are able to care for patients as EOP's (extended care outpatient)eg with ACL's, RCR's, etc. and also the longer-term care patients eg total joints, MVA's, etc. I especially like working closely with physical therapy. It is very physical work, and you must use proper body mechanics or you won't last very long, but it is rewarding. You are able to familiarize yourself with discharge planning, education, and you gain expertise in many nursing skills. Good luck with your new career.

Shantel,
Use this site to check out the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses. It's funny but when I first started nursing in 1980 as an LPN I absolutely hated orthopaedics but now I plan to sit for the certification in October. I'm an RN now and work on a surgical floor with other types of surgical patients If you are interested go for it...

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Shantel,
I have worked in ortho for a little over two years, and I love it. I have just recently started working for an ortho doc in his office and scrub with him during surgery. It is the greatest nursing experience I have ever had. After seeing the actual surgery, you begin to understand what the recovery is like and the importance of good PT and a good floor nurse. I would not recommend ortho for everyone, because it is hard work, but it is very rewarding to see a total joint replacement pt. walk again.

Ditto. I am an LPN and work for an Orthopedic Surgeon as his office nurse and scrub/assist in surgeries. It is hard work with diverse knowledge of anatomy, it's injury and disease processes and tx course. The knowledge of PT/OT, casts, traction, ext fixators, knee braces, orthodics etc just broadens the variety of the feild! Not to mention the occasional amputation by table saw patients...4 last month! The range of ages of the patients you see keeps your communication and pt teaching skills challenged. Also, you become cognizant of diagnostic tests...MRI, CT, EMG, X-ray, Bone Scans etc giving you more insight to the complete picture of Orthopaedics.
Best of luck! ~Jodie


[This message has been edited by Jo_deye_yuh (edited July 30, 2000).]

Go for it. Orthopaedics is a great speciality. Huge knowlege of anatomy and physiology (as in any area, I guess). I have been in ortho for 5 years and have no thoughts of leaving. I have been involved in alot of pre-op education which is very rewarding (for example, total hip replacements used to be in hosp for up to 10 days. now with good preparation, pts are leaving (not being pushed out!) at 4-5 days with good support and outcomes). Pts are young and old and there is heaps of variety. I thought at one stage I should do some medical nursing, but with the older pts, we get plenty of that.

HI SHANTEL,
I HAVE BEEN IN ORTHO FOR 13 YEARS AND WOULD NEVER CONSIDER ANY OTHER NURSING. IT IS VERY REWARDING AND THE PATIENTS ARE GREAT TO WORK WITH. GO FOR IT YOU WON'T REGRET IT.