Dear NAON Members,
As October arrives, I am reminded of the extraordinary impact orthopaedic nurses have on the lives of patients and families every day. From the clinic to the bedside, the operating room to rehabilitation, orthopaedic nurses bring expertise, compassion, and advocacy to every stage of the patient's journey. Your commitment to excellence is what makes our specialty so impactful and so rewarding.
This month, we proudly celebrate Orthopaedic Nurses Week, October 26-30 2026. It is a special opportunity to recognize the dedication, knowledge, and professionalism of orthopaedic nurses across the country. Whether your organization celebrates with educational programs, team recognition events, professional development activities, community outreach, appreciation luncheons, or simply by acknowledging a colleague's contributions, I encourage you to take time to celebrate the remarkable work being done within our specialty. Every orthopaedic nurse plays a vital role in helping patients regain mobility, independence, and quality of life!
I encourage each of you to share your Orthopaedic Nurses Week celebrations with NAON via social media! Show us how your team recognizes the profession, supporting one another, and highlighting the value of orthopaedic nursing within your organization. These stories and experiences help showcase the strength and passion of our community.
I am also excited to share that NAON’s NEC has worked diligently to evaluate all podium and a poster presentations that will be presented at the 47th NAON Congress, May 1st- May 3rd 2027. This is a tremendous accomplishment and an opportunity to highlight the innovative work being done by orthopaedic professionals.
As we celebrate Orthopaedic Nurses Week and look ahead to sharing our work with a global audience, I am grateful for each member of this association. Your dedication to your patients, your colleagues, and our profession continues to inspire me every day.
Thank you for all that you do, and I wish you a meaningful and celebratory Orthopaedic Nurses Week.
Warm regards,
Deb Valentine RN, MSN, CCM, ONC, FNAON
47th President, NAON