Orthopedic nursing focuses on caring for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, such as broken bones and arthritis, as well as those recovering from joint surgeries. They must be highly compassionate and have strong communication skills to assist patients in recovery. To become an ortho nurse, you must first earn a nursing degree and license.
If you have ever broken a bone, you likely encountered an orthopedic nurse. Orthopedic nursing focuses on the body’s musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic nurses are prepared to care for a wide range of conditions, from broken bones and arthritis to joint replacement surgery.
At Utica University, our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate today’s healthcare environment in any nursing specialty. Our hybrid curriculum combines online learning with in-person experiences, allowing students to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing in as little as 16 months.
This post explores what orthopedic nurses do, education and licensing requirements, and career outlook.
Orthopedic Nurse: Job Description
Orthopedic nurses — sometimes referred to as ortho nurses—specialize in the skeletal and muscular system, treating and rehabilitating patients with a wide range of orthopedic conditions. These specialized registered nurses help patients heal from broken bones and orthopedic surgery and manage chronic conditions.
Their job description includes patient monitoring, administering medication, and educating patients on their conditions, aspects of their treatment plan, and how to use devices such as crutches in their recovery.
Ortho nurses must be highly patient and compassionate. Their patients often experience a great deal of pain during their recovery, requiring nurses to utilize a sensitive approach. Pain can also cause irritability, so nurses must possess strong, empathetic communication skills to help patients recover.
Communication skills are also essential for ortho nurses when assisting patients in taking their first steps after orthopedic surgery. Ortho nurses must be able to encourage patients to keep going and be proactive in their recovery.
What Does an Orthopedic Nurse Do?
Orthopedic nurses’ responsibilities and duties change depending on their patient’s needs and the work environment. They work in various settings, including hospital orthopedic units, outpatient clinics, and surgery centers, all of which can influence their day-to-day responsibilities. For example, nurses in orthopedic surgery centers are heavily involved in preoperative and postoperative care, and some may assist during the surgery if they have the appropriate credentials.
However, ortho nurses who work in hospital orthopedic units may complete more tasks focused on pain management and changing dressings. They also work closely with physical therapists to assist in patient recovery.
Ortho nurses perform a wide variety of tasks throughout their shifts, including:
- Assessing patient conditions, including musculoskeletal issues, mobility, and pain levels
- Managing patients’ pain through medication and therapies, such as heat and cold therapy
- Providing postoperative care through patient monitoring and wound care
- Assisting in rehabilitation by collaborating with physical therapists, providing recovery support, and educating patients on mobility exercises
How to Become an Orthopedic Nurse
Orthopedic nurses are registered nurses, so they must first earn a nursing degree and a license before practicing. Two nursing degrees can qualify you for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN): an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a B.S. in Nursing.
Below, we discuss the steps required to become an orthopedic nurse.
Educational Requirements
As stated above, ortho nurses must enroll in a nursing program to receive a degree before licensing. Although an ADN qualifies you for the licensing exam, many employers prefer a B.S. in Nursing.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the average job offer rate for new B.S. in Nursing graduates is 84%. This is because the depth and quality of a B.S. in Nursing education strengthens students’ skills in critical thinking, health promotion, and leadership, allowing them to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings and scenarios.
B.S. in Nursing programs are typically four years long; however, individuals with college experience may be eligible for an accelerated B.S. in Nursing program. At Utica, the ABSN program allows students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 65 non-nursing college credits to earn their B.S. in Nursing in 16 months.
The program utilizes a hybrid curriculum that combines online learning with in-person simulation and skills labs, and clinical rotations. Students complete their nursing coursework online through an e-learning platform that establishes core nursing theory and concepts.
The knowledge gained through coursework is applied to simulation and skills labs, where students practice essential nursing skills, such as checking vital signs and nasogastric intubation on anatomically correct medical manikins. They also participate in simulation labs, in which students work together as a team to navigate simulated clinical scenarios.
Finally, clinical rotations allow students to gain real-world patient care experience in various nursing specialties, such as adult health, acute care, and community health. Under careful supervision, students apply all they have learned and develop their clinical judgment while working in healthcare facilities.
Licensing and Optional Certification
Upon earning a nursing degree, students can register for the NCLEX-RN. The licensing exam tests applicants’ clinical judgment rather than their memorization of nursing concepts. Questions are determined by computerized adaptive testing, which generates the difficulty and number of questions on the basis of previous answers.
Everyone’s testing experience is unique, so it is vital to start preparing for the NCLEX at the start of nursing school. Reviewing practice questions, joining study groups, and completing practice tests are great ways to familiarize yourself with the exam and learn from others.
Learn more about the Next Gen NCLEX — the newest version of the licensing exam — and how you can prepare here.
After passing the exam and obtaining a nursing license, you are ready to start working in orthopedic units. Although it is not required for most positions, nurses can strengthen their credentials with the Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) offered by the Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board after gaining nursing experience. ONC eligibility includes two full years of registered nurse experience and at least 1,000 hours of orthopedic nursing experience.
Career Opportunities for Orthopedic Nurses
A nursing career, regardless of specialty, offers dozens of opportunities for further specialization or advancing your career. Additionally, the field offers strong growth projections and salary expectations. Should you pursue becoming an orthopedic nurse, you will have plenty of opportunities for career growth.
Advancement Opportunities
Several subspecialties and advancement opportunities exist within orthopedic nursing. Orthopedic nurses can specialize in sports medicine, rehabilitation, pediatrics, and orthopedic surgery. You can also pursue advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) positions, such as nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist, with a focus on orthopedic nursing. To pursue APRN positions, nurses must return to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice from an accredited program.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
The current national nursing shortage is partially due to the aging population’s increased healthcare needs, which include orthopedic care. Although the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) does not collect data specifically for orthopedic nurses, the need for these specialized nurses is expected to grow.
The BLS projects registered nurse employment to grow by 6% nationally between 2023 and 2033, higher than the total for all occupations. Moreover, registered nurse employment in New York is projected to grow even faster, by 17%, between 2020 and 2030.
Registered nurses also have high earning potential. The national median salary in 2023 was $86,070, while the New York median wage was even higher, at $104,570.
Are you ready to start nursing school? Read more to learn 11 tips to help you prepare for nursing school.
Take the First Steps in Your Nursing Journey with Utica
Utica’s ABSN program will help prepare you for a nursing career in any specialty. Whether you wish to become an orthopedic nurse or discover a new specialty to pursue during clinical rotations, our dedicated faculty and Academic Success Coaches are here to support you.
With two ABSN learning sites in Syracuse and Albany, NY, three start dates per year, and no waitlist, you can take the first steps toward a nursing career sooner than you may think. Contact an admissions representative today to learn about our admissions requirements and how the ABSN can help launch your career.
