The origins of orthopedic nursing can be traced back to Dame Agnes Hunt, a nurse crippled by septic arthritis of the hip. As a pioneer of orthopedic nursing, she dedicated her career to caring for crippled children and victims of war. Today, the field of orthopedic nursing has grown to include patients of all ages with a variety of conditions. Depending on the particular specialty and institution, a graduate of an RN to BSN program may be able to directly enter an orthopedic nursing position.
What is an Orthopedic Nurse?
RN to BSN program graduates who choose to work in orthopedic nursing care for patients with musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. Orthopedic treatment settings include: Operating rooms. Adult and pediatric orthopedic hospital units. Trauma units. Home health agencies. Rehabilitation units.
Orthopedic patients require treatment for a wide array of conditions, such as fractures, joint replacements, osteoporosis, and genetic bone disorders. RN to BSN program graduates may work as staff nurses, researchers, and educators within orthopedic nursing settings.
Required Education to Become an Orthopedic Nurse
All nurses must be licensed as Registered Nurses within the U.S. through a hospital diploma, associate degree, or RN to BSN program. Particularly for specialized areas of nursing, employers often prefer to hire Registered Nurses who have completed a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) due to its provision of specialized training and development of critical thinking skills. Orthopedic nurses also require hands- on training in the specific patient population of musculoskeletal injuries in which they choose to work. More information related to orthopedic nursing is available through the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses website.
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Tags: nursing, registered nurse, RN to BSN
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