Meet an Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Most people experience some type of orthopedic injury in their lifetime. Work-related accidents, sports injuries, slip and fall accidents, or car accidents can all result in orthopedic injury. Did you know that there are more than 3.5 million orthopedic sports injuries in children and teens alone each year? And that’s just one segment of the population that orthopedic nurse practitioners work with each day.

This means that as practices are growing and surgeons are aging, there is an expanding and unique role for orthopedic nurse practitioners to fill. On this page, we share the experience of one orthopedic nurse practitioner before delving into how to become an orthopedic NP, what they do, and how much they make.

I grew up in a family of physicians and was always interested in health and wellness. I knew I wanted a career where I could help others and impact their lives in a meaningful way. When I became sick and was treated by a nurse practitioner, I knew I had found a career that would suit me well.

I had the opportunity to do some part-time work for a local sports medicine group and really fell in love with the specialty. I enjoyed working with high school and college athletes and learning more about the rehabilitation process.

I also enjoyed gaining more understanding of the procedures and was fascinated by the surgical aspect. I got to see how the expertise of our surgeon could impact the lifestyle of our patients, young or old.

I believe it is life-changing work, often with healthy patients. I also spent several years working with an orthopedic oncologist, caring for patients with musculoskeletal tumors and participating in their complex care.

So much of our work is meeting the patients where they are emotionally, helping them to feel seen and heard, and helping to decrease their anxiety. Having the dual skill set has been a real bonus for me, and I believe this has allowed me to provide more holistic care.

First, I listen. Regardless of the field of nursing, there are inherent stresses that come with taking care of patients with illness or injury. I encourage them to communicate well with their teams, express their needs, and to continue learning.

Nursing is a career where ongoing learning is critical; things change quickly. I also support them in their own self-care. It is important for all healthcare workers. Finally, I support them advancing in their careers and/or education if that is a goal or desire.

The relationships we have with our patients. We may have a patient whom we meet in a wheelchair, who is really limited in their mobility, and when they walk into our clinic unassisted, that is really the best feeling in the world — to know that I was a small part of their healing journey.

Talk to other nurses in the field. Shadow an orthopedic or sports medicine nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to make the change.

Orthopedic nurse practitioners’ patient populations have many musculoskeletal challenges, including:

They must be knowledgeable about ordering the correct imaging study and adept at reading them. Orthopedic NPs place splints and casts, prescribe medication, perform joint injections, and monitor patients after surgery and through rehabilitation.

These tasks may require collaboration with orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physiatrists, nutritionists, and orthopedic nurses. Orthopedic NPs work closely with patients who may have experienced a life-changing injury or with patients dealing with a lifelong chronic illness.

“So much of our work is meeting the patients where they are emotionally, helping them to feel seen and heard, and helping to decrease their anxiety.” – Nancy Brook, Orthopedic NP

These healthcare professionals must offer patients a compassionate, empathetic ear while providing care and comfort. Having bedside nursing experience in orthopedics is a plus and can help smooth the transition into the orthopedic NP role.

These are the key skills and responsibilities an orthopedic nurse practitioner can benefit from.

Orthopedic NPs start their career as registered nurses (RNs). After completing a nursing program from an accredited school, nursing candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination. All states use this test to get an RN license.

While most orthopedic NP candidates start with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, there are bridge programs for nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to move directly to a master of science in nursing (MSN). These are called RN-to-MSN programs.

Nurses with a BSN may also choose to move directly to a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. A DNP is a terminal degree in nursing. While a DNP is not mandatory to practice as an orthopedic NP, it may be advantageous if you want to teach in a nursing program.

On average, it takes four years to complete a BSN program when the nursing candidate attends full time. Some nurses may choose to complete an ADN program in 2-3 years and then finish their BSN while working.

After completing an MSN or a DNP program in adult, geriatric, or pediatric care, a nurse practitioner must be recognized and licensed in the state to practice. This means they are certified as a family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, or pediatric nurse practitioner.

To become certified by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board, a nurse must have the following:

The average annual salary for an orthopedic nurse practitioner is $100,040, according to Payscale in April 2022. This is only the base salary and doesn’t include bonuses and benefits.

Depending on where you work and what they offer, your benefits package may include:

As you’ll note, your benefits package should be considered with your salary since it can include a significant portion of the money. It is also important to include these benefits when negotiating with your future employer as a nurse.

Orthopedic nurse practitioners can work nearly anywhere that patients are treated for injuries. This may include:

After several years of experience, an orthopedic NP may find work with a medical device company, insurance company, and the federal government. Nurses interested in rehabilitation may work with a doctor in physical medicine and rehabilitation or may work in an oncology department with patients with bone or muscle cancer.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there was a greater density of orthopedic surgeons in Wyoming and Montana from 2008 to 2016 than in any other state. During the same period, Alabama had the lowest density, followed by Mississippi.

Several factors help determine an orthopedic NP salary. These include: