what is an orthopaedic nurse?
An orthopaedic nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specialises in treating musculoskeletal conditions. Your job is to care for patients with issues related to bones. That means you work with patients recovering from orthopaedic surgeries, broken bones, and long-term orthopaedic conditions. Some musculoskeletal conditions overlap with trauma, which means you may be expected to care for patients with head injuries and wounds.
Your responsibilities vary depending on the healthcare facility you work for, but generally, you handle patient assessment, education, advocacy, and care coordination. If you work as an in-patient nurse, you focus on post-operative care, like pain management and changing wound dressings. When the facility only provides outpatient care, you assist patients with mobility issues, such as changing braces and other assistive devices.
Orthopaedic nurses work in diverse settings. You can work in hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities. Alternatively, work in rehabilitation centres and long-term care facilities for patients with musculoskeletal issues. As an orthopaedic nurse, you require extensive knowledge of the human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system. Aside from technical knowledge, you rely on your critical thinking skills, patience and resilience to work closely with patients.
view rolesaverage orthopaedic nurse salary
The average remuneration package for an orthopaedic nurse is $82,500 per year. In an entry-level position, you start with a salary of $79,000 annually. As you improve your experience and competency, you are likely to take home a higher salary of $108,000 per year.
how to increase your earnings as an orthopaedic nurse
Your remuneration package is slightly higher if you have additional qualifications or experience. If you have several years of experience treating patients, your exposure boosts your earnings. Improve your work experience by volunteering or getting entry-level orthopaedic nursing roles to enhance your knowledge of the musculoskeletal system.
Working in public sector healthcare systems also reduces your remuneration package despite the significant benefits. Private clinics and specialised rehabilitation centres are likely to pay more compared to public sector facilities. The size of the hospital you work for could also impact your earnings. When you work in a small clinic, you get a lower remuneration package due to the scope of your responsibilities. In large hospitals, you handle numerous patients, and the complexity of your role increases your earnings.
Want to know what you will earn as an orthopaedic nurse? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of orthopaedic nurses
In a hospital setting, you will find numerous subtypes of orthopaedic nurses. For instance, an orthopaedic staff nurse supports patients through pre-operative and post-operative care. As an orthopaedic staff nurse, you are a bedside nurse who handles patients’ immediate needs and assesses the risks of complications. You can also specialise as an orthopaedic surgical nurse to assist in operating rooms. Your extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal systems is useful during operations and post-surgical care.
Another area of specialisation is paediatrics, where you work with children with orthopaedic issues. Your job is to reconstruct congenital musculoskeletal anomalies and treat various orthopaedic conditions. In sports medicine, you treat sports-related injuries, rehabilitate injured athletes and guide patients through physical therapy.
working as an orthopaedic nurse
If you are interested in working as an orthopaedic nurse, check out the duties, responsibilities, work schedules and career opportunities in the role.
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orthopaedic nurse job description
Some of the duties and responsibilities of orthopaedic nurses include:
- assessing patients and examining symptoms: as an orthopaedic nurse, you evaluate a patient's health status through physical exams. Your job is to determine the illness and develop a treatment plan. Aside from physical exams, you conduct X-rays and laboratory tests to provide an accurate diagnosis.
- preparing patients for surgery: if the patient requires surgery, you prepare the operating theatres for the orthopaedic surgeons and prepare patients for the surgery. The preparation includes taking a patient's vital signs, ensuring the consent forms are signed and recording any allergies. While you perform minor surgical procedures, you also assist orthopaedic surgeons with major surgeries.
- post-surgical care: as an orthopaedic nurse, you provide post-surgery care. That includes monitoring the patient's vital signs and watching out for post-surgery issues. You also check for sepsis and infections and address the concerns or report them to orthopaedic surgeons. Aside from nursing care, you also keep patients comfortable when they have mobility restrictions post-surgery. You reposition them on the hospital beds and change their wound dressings.
- scheduling therapy sessions: as an orthopaedic nurse, you schedule therapy sessions for patients with musculoskeletal issues. After a major surgery, you organise therapy sessions to speed up the recovery of patients. You also help patients with supporting aids, like canes and crutches, to improve mobility.
- updating medical records: as an orthopaedic nurse, you review a patient’s medical history to help surgeons identify possible complications. You also chart vital signs and record the results of lab tests and X-rays to ensure accurate diagnosis. Updating medical records throughout the treatment makes it easier for surgeons and other medical practitioners to track the progress of patients.
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work environment
Orthopaedic nurses work in healthcare centres that cater to musculoskeletal health. You work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centres or mining community health centres. Your sub-speciality may influence your work environment. For instance, a general orthopaedic nurse has a wide choice of work settings, while working in aged care means you only work in care homes. As an orthopaedic nurse, you mainly work indoors in sterilised hospital settings. Sometimes, you assist surgeons in operating rooms, which requires protective equipment.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include general nurses, physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants. You might also be working in close proximity to occupational therapists and lab assistants, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, orthopaedic surgeons, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants.
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work schedule
The typical working hours for orthopaedic nurses in Australia is 38 hours weekly. In a full-time position, you are likely to work in rotational shifts of up to 12 hours. Your shifts can be early morning, late night or on weekends in 24/7 healthcare facilities. In an emergency, you may be required to work overtime, including evenings. You can also work part-time in rehabilitation centres or assisted-living facilities.
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job outlook
Orthopaedic nurses are registered nurses specialising in musculoskeletal systems. That means you can easily switch to a general nurse position. However, most orthopaedic nurses progress to orthopaedic surgeon positions or become osteopaths. Other exciting careers to explore include physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
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advantages of finding an orthopaedic nurse job through randstad
Finding your orthopaedic nurse job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an orthopaedic nurse is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
If you want to become an orthopaedic nurse, complete the necessary qualifications for becoming a registered nurse. Pursue a bachelor of nursing to meet the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). You should also register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and renew your nursing licence annually. When you have one to two years of experience in nursing, pursue a postgraduate certification to become an orthopaedic nurse.
If you want to progress in your career, join the Australian Orthopaedic Association or the Orthopaedic Nurses Association of Western Australia for professional development. After you've gained extensive experience, you can join the Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
orthopaedic nurse skills and competencies
Some of the skills and qualities to excel as an orthopaedic nurse include:
- clinical skills: while your focus is on musculoskeletal issues, you also require general clinical skills. For instance, you should understand basic procedures like taking vital measurements, including blood pressure, pulse rate and weight. Your clinical skills also help you insert IVs, take blood samples and prepare patients for surgical procedures.
- ability to stay calm: as an orthopaedic nurse, you sometimes work in high-stress environments, especially during emergencies. Your ability to maintain composure and stay calm in stressful situations helps you provide the best care to patients.
- interpersonal skills: as an orthopaedic nurse, you work with various health professionals to handle patients' conditions. Your interpersonal skills help you communicate calmly, show compassion and be empathetic to patients’ needs. You also collaborate well with other nurses to promote patient care.
- physical stamina: as an orthopaedic nurse, you assist patients with mobility restrictions post-surgery to ensure they are comfortable. You require physical strength to assist patients in wheelchairs and guide them through various therapies. Physical stamina also helps you maintain your energy and focus throughout your shift.
- empathy: as an orthopaedic nurse, it is important to show empathy to patients and their families. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes helps you understand their condition and provide better care.
FAQs about working as an orthopaedic nurse
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an orthopaedic nurse.
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how do I become an orthopaedic nurse in Australia?
If you want to work as an orthopaedic nurse, you should be a registered nurse. Complete the necessary qualifications for becoming an RN and register with the relevant regulatory body in your state or region. When you have two years of general nursing experience, you can pursue graduate qualifications to become an orthopaedic nurse.
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how much do orthopaedic nurses make in Australia?
The average remuneration package of an orthopaedic nurse in Australia is $82,500 per year. In an entry-level position, you start with a salary of $79,000 per year, while experienced orthopaedic nurses take home over $108,000 per year. Your earnings fluctuate based on experience and educational qualifications.
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what does an orthopaedic nurse do?
As an orthopaedic nurse, you provide nursing care and aid in the recovery of patients with musculoskeletal conditions, such as fractures, joint replacements or arthritis. You assist patients in wheelchairs with mobility issues, treat wounds and may perform minor surgeries, like repairing fractures.
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is orthopaedic nursing a good career?
Yes, as an orthopaedic nurse, you specialise in providing care to patients with musculoskeletal conditions. With experience, you may progress to surgical roles, such as an orthopaedic surgeon. Aside from growth opportunities, you also have promising remuneration packages.
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what makes a good orthopaedic nurse?
As an orthopaedic nurse, you need extensive clinical knowledge to understand the pre-operative and post-surgical procedures for orthopaedic patients. Good communication skills are also useful in explaining medical procedures to patients and nursing assistants.
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how do I apply for an orthopaedic nurse vacancy?
Applying for an orthopaedic nurse job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
