Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
What is an orthopedic nurse practitioner and how to become one
So you believe you might want to become an orthopedic nurse? Patients with musculoskeletal conditions caused by accident, sickness, birth defects, or degeneration are treated by an orthopedic nurse practitioner. These include ligament and tendon injuries or disease, muscles, joints, and backbone, and degenerative disorders such as arthritis. They usually work for many hours and may need to lift, turn, or move patients.
It is necessary to start with the right education to become an orthopedic nurse practitioner. There are several programs that can help to lead you to his/her role. You can obtain a two-year associate's degree, a four-year bachelor's degree, or a two-year diploma program. Most of them train students to have the knowledge in helping patients and perform medical testing.
Education usually requires fundamental medical assessments, basic pharmacology, and pathology. Some have a focus on female health, pediatrics, and behavioral health. Orthopedic nurse practitioners are also active in multiple clinical rotations under supervision. So it is very important to have training in leadership, critical thinking, and working experience outside of a hospital environment.
What general advice would you give to an orthopedic nurse practitioner?
Amy Grugan Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Nursing, Bradley University
Avg. Salary $98,419
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 40%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%
Asian 6.33%
Black or African American 4.66%
Hispanic or Latino 6.65%
Unknown 4.50%
White 77.54%
Genderfemale 85.81%
male 14.19%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Orthopedic nurse practitioner career paths
Key steps to become an orthopedic nurse practitioner
Explore orthopedic nurse practitioner education requirements
Start to develop specific orthopedic nurse practitioner skills
Skills Percentages Patients 39.99% Surgery 11.22% Rehabilitation 6.82% Patient Education 5.91% Medical History 4.17% Complete relevant orthopedic nurse practitioner training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New orthopedic nurse practitioners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an orthopedic nurse practitioner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real orthopedic nurse practitioner resumes.Research orthopedic nurse practitioner duties and responsibilities
- Experience in managing type 2 DM, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, COPD, sleep apnea, and asthma.
- Specialize in post-operative care and rehabilitation, in coordination with physical therapy department.
- Perform in-office procedures, such as dermal shave, punch biopsy and cryotherapy.
- Educate, instruct, and support new or experience bedside nurses in the Neurosurgical ICU.
Prepare your orthopedic nurse practitioner resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your orthopedic nurse practitioner resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an orthopedic nurse practitioner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable orthopedic nurse practitioner resume templates
Build a professional orthopedic nurse practitioner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your orthopedic nurse practitioner resume.
Apply for orthopedic nurse practitioner jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an orthopedic nurse practitioner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first orthopedic nurse practitioner job
Are you an orthopedic nurse practitioner?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average orthopedic nurse practitioner salary
The average orthopedic nurse practitioner salary in the United States is $98,419 per year or $47 per hour. Orthopedic nurse practitioner salaries range between $52,000 and $186,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do orthopedic nurse practitioners rate their job?
Orthopedic nurse practitioner reviews
Helping others
Lack of pay, paperwork, seeing the same patients and doing the same as a physician but getting paid alot less!
I like the autonomy and the fulfillment of helping others.
#1 Administration does not value you as a health professional. They are stuck in the image of the nurse meaning we follow. They don't see us as clinicians that make a difference not just by caring, but by evaluating organ systems, medication regimens, finding the answer by communicating and getting a great history in regards to chief complaints, evaluating labs and staying up to date with research. I and other NP's before me laid the groundwork for our profession y working hard and being smart and educated. I have seen how companies want to get rid of the experienced NP to fill the role with two entry level NP's. There is age discrimination on top of it, it's not just the pay. #2 Arrogant doctors who push most of the work onto you in regards to documentation and also patient's medical management. Then act like they are "so busy". We know the good doctors from the ones who are their own fan club.
Updated January 8, 2025
