President's Message | 10.12.2023
Let's Celebrate
Over four million strong, nurses in America have ranked as the #1 most honest and ethical professional for the 21st year in a row in Gallup’s annual poll. Patients rely on their nurse of any specialty to save their lives, intervene on their behalf, educate, and take good care of them. As orthopaedic nurses, we care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions that require special care to help patients overcome functional limitations and injuries. Pain management, mobility, post-operative care and healing rise to the top of priorities for this specialty. While we are essential members of the patient care team, we also benefit from the joy and gratification that comes with seeing our orthopaedic patient make progress, whether it be standing for the first time after surgery, walking independently after years of using an assistive device, or having quality time with their family and friends.
International Orthopaedic Nurses Day is October 30th and right around the corner. But we think that ortho nurses deserve celebration and recognition for a whole week, so we at NAON are celebrating you October 30 – November 3rd this year! Every year we love to see the ways that our colleagues embrace this specialty and share recognition of each other. Nurse leaders, we’re calling on you! NAON has a list of some suggested activities for each day of the week for you all to highlight your nurses to include short videos, reflections on “why ortho”, photos with your team, trivia, and special thank you’s for your team. Other special ways to celebrate your nurses could include shopping for NAON swag such as bags, shirts, tumblers, patches, and more from our online store.
If you’re on social media share your videos and pictures with NAON and your orthopaedic colleagues so we can ALL see the excitement and buzz that you and your team are generating! And don’t forget to use the hashtags #OrthoNursesWeek2023 and #IAmAnOrthoNurse. This kind of visibility elevates awareness around our beloved profession and our specialty!
Orthopaedic Nurses’ Week is also a great time to focus on ortho specific skills, a review of evidence based practices, and highlight opportunities for professional growth and development by way of mentorship initiatives and encourage your nurses to get certified in orthopaedics through the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board!
On behalf of the NAON executive board, we honor and celebrate you this Orthopaedic Nurses’ Week. Thank you for all you to to make a difference in the lives of your patients and communities!