Also, it is linked to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care. Upon earning your bachelor’s degree, the next step to becoming an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner is earning your nursing license. To do that, you must pass the NCLEX-RN or the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. With the NCLEX, you’ll be certified to enter the workforce as a registered nurse (RN). The StatPearls orthopedic nurse prep questions, orthopedic nurse review questions, and orthopedic nurse test questions will help you achieve a top score on the Orthopedic Nurse Certification Examination . 406 authors and 7 editors have contributed to the development of the Orthopaedic Nurse Certification Exam content, which is continuously refined and updated to improve your learning experience.
While orthopedic physicians may prescribe a therapy regimen or painkillers, orthopedic patients may need additional help with improving their quality of life and managing day-to-day tasks with minimal pain. Orthopedic Nursing is a rewarding specialty in the healthcare field. In addition to being one of the top-paying nursing careers, this specialization enables you to relieve the pain of countless individuals who suffer from bone, muscle, and ligament diseases. You will have a direct impact on their care and potentially change their life for the better. The Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) provides this Orthopedic Nursing certification, which is called the Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (ONP-C). One of the many benefits of this certification includes the ability “to work anywhere,” from acute care and emergency rooms to primary and home healthcare settings.
Locate nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing programs using our state-by-state directory. If you have any problems or questions, please send an email to and we will usually get back to you within 24 hours. The ten-member NAON Education Committee designs educational courses, textbooks, and tools. These committee members have two- to three-year tenure, and most NAON members are eligible to apply. Research committees exist to help offer a guiding focus in the medical research done by the community and its members. Other committees include leadership search and local affairs committees – these ensure the organization operates smoothly at every level.

We recommend that you utilize more than one resource when preparing for national certification examinations. Certification exams are taken following an application process through the appropriate organization. Nurse practitioners without orthopedic experience but with an interest in bone and joint health may wish to complete a fellowship program to further their specialty knowledge and establish themselves in the field.
The average nurse practitioner is exposed to 10 hours of orthopedic content throughout their nurse practitioner program. This educational program will fill in the knowledge gaps that practicing nurse practitioners have from learning on the job. In addition, some nurse practitioners only practice within a subspecialty of orthopedics (e.g., hand surgery) and have little knowledge or exposure to general orthopedics.
No matter how niche your field of interest might be, we’re here to help you prepare for test day. Additionally, ortho nurses have the opportunity to educate patients on lifestyle changes that can improve their bone health, which in turn, can improve their quality of life for years to come. At the end of the patient’s stay, nurses in orthopedic units are in charge of educating and discharging the patient so they can go home or head to a rehabilitation facility.
Know the degenerative diseases and peds complications from braces. If you don’t like this comprehensive book for ANY reason, you can return it for a 100% refund of the product price. You’re free to return it at any time, for any reason, up to one year after the purchase date, no hassle, no questions asked. Plus all of the other special tips and secrets we have included to help you prepare for the exam. “I purchased the study guide, and I just wanted to let you know that I passed my test. I just want to thank you again, and hope you have continued success in your ventures.”
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You’ll need a master’s degree (or equivalent program) in nursing to qualify to become an orthopedic nurse practitioner (OPN). If you want to move to the highest level of orthopedic nursing, your next step is to gain your orthopedic nurse practitioner certification. The orthopedic nurse certification requires you to pass the orthopedic nurse exam and work at least 1,000 hours in an orthopedics department within the last three years. You’ll also need 1,000 hours of experience working as an RN in an orthopedic department or orthopedic practice within the past three years.
Some nurses have the opportunity to participate in formal residency or apprentice programs. Texas Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, for example, participates in the HCA Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses (StaRN) program. A nursing student will have a well-rounded education with rotations in diverse practice areas such as pediatric, adult medical surgical, and psychiatric care. The work can including assessing patients, formulating treatment plans, administering medication, and providing patient education.
According to NP Schools, most Orthopedic Nurses prepare for their specialty through on-the-job training and experience. However, some colleges do offer specialized courses in this field to those who have already earned their MSN degree. Like many other nursing specialties, the hours of an Orthopedic Nurse will depend on their employer and workplace setting. For example, ONPs who work in hospitals emergency departments may work weekends, night shifts, or be on call 24 hours a day. Orthopedic Nurses who work in clinics or nursing home facilities, however, can typically expect a more consistent schedule, working during standard business hours.
Then, you need three full years of experience as an RN or advanced practice RN (APRN) and 2,000 hours of advanced practiced experience within the past three years. Orthopedic nurses also treat patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal diseases, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Allnurses is a Nursing Career & Support site for Nurses and Students. Our mission is to Empower, Unite, and Advance every nurse, student, and educator.

Table of Contents

Patients who receive joint replacements end up in physical therapy as part of their recovery. In addition, the NAON has several committees and task forces designed to help advance the field as well as help individual nurses succeed. The NAON Early Career Nurse Committee ensures that new nurses have a voice in the national orthopedic nursing conversation. In addition, it also provides resources and mentorships to encourage and support those new to the field.

As with all jobs in the nursing field, earning potential increases with additional education and experience. While the BLS does provide salary information specific to orthopaedic nurse practitioners, it does report on nurse practitioner salary averages. The median annual salary for nurse practitioners in 2020 was $111,680. Keep in mind that nursing salary will differ depending on location, employer, years of experience and more. Your orthopedic nurse practitioner certification must be renewed every five years. In addition to renewing certification through the board, renewal through the state is also required and may require additional fulfillment of continuing education contact hours.
Our comprehensive career guide will cover the duties, requirements, and benefits of this unique nursing specialization. While physicians who started their education at the same time as you are still in medical school, you will already reach a salary of $70,000 to $120,000 per year. As an orthopedic nurse, you can make that much within four years. You’ll make six figures within seven years if you take an accelerated route to become an ONP-C.
Or your patient could be a major league pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery. Next to these folks, you may have one middle-aged patient recovering from spinal fusion surgery. The process is so short because demand is exceptionally high for ortho nurses.
Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners can find work in various healthcare settings, including doctors’ offices, outpatient care clinics, and hospitals. Because of the versatile nature of their profession, Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners can also work in other settings, such as health agencies, assisted living centers, and rehabilitation centers. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners help patients with musculoskeletal issues, including broken or fractured bones, osteoporosis, arthritis, joint replacements, and other injuries or diseases. They often assist Orthopedic Surgeons in the operating room and follow up with patients throughout their recovery to ensure patients are regaining their strength and range of motion. In order to be eligible for this exam, one must hold a valid RN license in the U.S. or its
territories.

Where Do Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners Work?

As stated earlier, you must earn a master’s degree to become an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner. If you’d like to know about the core curriculum for ONP programs, you might want to look at nursing courses that fall under a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. For example, with assisted living facilities, sometimes elderly patients become confused by your treatment instructions. The high demand and array of subspecialties mean you’re more likely to find a job that fits what you want than other nursing specialties. Your patient could be a child that broke their foot sliding into second base at a little league game.
Fifteen percent of the examination consists of questions about how to identify activity and positioning parameters, as well as appropriate assistive devices for a given orthopaedic condition. For each state an individual is licensed, CEU hours will be required. Generally, NPs are required a minimum of 75 contact hours of continuing education in the specialty area (orthopedics). This exam is administered by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) and tests knowledge of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries and the roles required of ONPs.

Prior to her work as a freelancer/owner of The Write Reflection, Shari worked for a decade as a professional journalist for several publications covering education and politics. Nurse practitioners rank #1 in Best Health Care Jobs according to a survey by US. Deciding factor for the top spot included a job with low stress levels, good work-life balance, and solid prospects for career advancement. A family nurse practitioner may have the easiest time of all NPs in making the switch because of their broad foundation. You could work in a trauma care center that treats patients with broken and fractured bones.

Each chapter addresses key exam blueprint topics with an easy-to-read format, quick-reference tables, useful illustrations, and end-of-chapter questions to assess knowledge retention. The review concludes with a full-length 150-question practice test. An orthopedic nurse practitioner is a specialized nurse practitioner that focuses on the care and treatment of patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems.
To gain experience, nurses who have worked in critical care, emergency room, surgical or other applicable settings will be well-poised to work within the orthopaedic specialty. There are also continuing education courses related to orthopaedics that can be completed for those interested in going into the field, including specialized courses in osteoporosis care, osteoarthritis care, and bodily trauma. Changing your specialty to an orthopedic nurse practitioner involves a few steps.
Nurses on the ortho floor usually work three 12-hour shifts per week and care for four to six patients at a time. They stay very busy giving medications for pain, managing surgical drains and changing dressings. They also work with physical and occupational therapists to get the patients back on their feet and returning to their normal day-to-day activities. These nurses play a huge role in getting the patient to take their first steps post-surgery. Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Registered Nurses assist physicians with examinations, administer injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions, assist with minor surgery, and maintain medical records. More importantly, our nurses perform a critical role in patient education, effectively communicating the physician’s diagnosis and treatment plans.
In the sections below, we’ll discuss how an RN can progress to become an orthopedic nurses. I learned – and was pleasantly surprised by – how much I already knew. The more I studied, the more connections I made about how body systems affect each other in relation to orthopedics. I also better understand what patients might need both physically and emotionally from their nurse. It has empowered me to continue educating myself, encouraging my professional growth in orthopedics. The first step to becoming an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner is earning your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree.