guest08/02

I work on the same type of unit. We became a level 2 trauma unit 2 years ago, and since we were the surgical/ortho floor they became apart of us. I would suggest you joining NAON. They will be a great resource for you as you learn ortho and it will not only help you with total joints but with trauma also. If you are like us, most of the traumas have some type of orthopaedic injury too. The NAON Core Curriculum will be a great resource for you on all things orthopaedic nursing. NAON currently offers members 6 free webinars a year, there was one not long ago on hand trauma. Even if you join know you can go back and watch all the webinars that we have had this year. NAON also has a new committee that focuses on new nurses, and they would be a great resource. Unlike you I was a little intimidated by the trauma side, but I posted questions on our members forums, read about trauma in our Core and networked with ortho nurses who dealt with trauma. You can too, but you have to join first, Good luck and let me know if we can help. rob

Yes you do have to be an RN for 2 years and Have a minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience as an RN in orthopaedic nursing practice within the past three years.