Welcome to www.orthonurse.org! It is my pleasure to welcome you to the newly redesigned web site for the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON). NAON’s mission is to advance the quality of musculoskeletal healthcare by promoting excellence in research, education and nursing practice. You will see that this web site has links to all the NAON productions and education you need to succeed, including information about NAON’s Annual Congress and the Allied Nursing Program held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Personally, serving on two concurrent boards, NAON and the US Bone and Joint Decade, has afforded me valuable opportunities to network with many other healthcare organizations.  One of the greatest benefits of NAON is the opportunity to network with fellow orthopaedic nurses and healthcare professionals.  As I contemplated this year's theme, it was these experiences that led me to choose: The NAON Network: Gateway to Excellence.

The NAON network consists of a diverse membership, spanning all specialties, geographic locations and backgrounds, with a common link to the specialty of orthopaedic nursing.  NAON is looking for opportunities to network with each of you as we embark on NAON's 29th year! On the website, you will find Willingness to Serve forms and Special Interest Group (SIG) forums. As a member, there are even more features located on the members-only section of the website, including the ability to download and view the association's newsletters: NAON News and Net News as well as articles from the Orthopaedic Nursing Journal (ONJ).  In addition, members can sign up for the SIG listserves.

NAON members are given an opportunity and are encouraged to help shape NAON's strategic direction by participating in many online voting initiatives. These votes are conducted right here, through our web site.

Please feel free to offer suggestions to make a better NAON! You can contact the National Office at (800).289.6266 or by sending an e-mail to naon@smithbucklin.com.  You may also contact me directly by e-mail at cindyhowe@gmail.com.