Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist people with an orthopaedic conditions to regain optimal function and lifestyle.
Enrolled nurses providing orthopaedic nursing care need to hold and apply specialised in-depth knowledge, effectively integrate theory and practice, and make reliable clinical assessments and judgements.
This unit applies to enrolled nurses, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, seeking specialisation in enrolled nurse work that is carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under direct or indirect supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Work in interdisciplinary health care team caring for a person with an orthopaedic condition | 1.1 Provide nursing care that supports the interdisciplinary health care team in caring for the person with an orthopaedic condition 1.2 Work effectively in the interdisciplinary health care team to foster positive group dynamics with other health care professionals 1.3 Identify when the acuity of a person is beyond own skills and knowledge and promptly consult with registered nurse and relevant interdisciplinary health care team 1.4 Use critical thinking and problem-solving approaches to propose actions and implement nursing interventions, in consultation with registered nurse and relevant interdisciplinary health care team |
2. Clarify the impact of the orthopaedic condition on the person, family and carer | 2.1 Maintain current knowledge of orthopaedic conditions and associated pathophysiology as they apply to each clinical manifestation 2.2 Identify the psychosocial impact and potential complications for the person and clarify their needs 2.3 Discuss impacts and complications of the person’s condition with the person, and their family or carer, as appropriate within scope of practice 2.4 Contribute to long-term management and planning of the recovery phase of care required for the person with an orthopaedic condition |
3. Actively promote improvement and advancement of orthopaedic nursing | 3.1 Monitor and evaluate own nursing care provided to the person to assist with organisation continuous improvement 3.2 Evaluate nursing interventions provided and consider outcomes against evidence-based best practice in orthopaedic nursing 3.3 Seek out opportunities and participate in professional development, acquiring knowledge to guide own practice and acting as a resource for colleagues |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
undertaken work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines
worked as part of the interdisciplinary health care team in the workplace providing orthopaedic nursing interventions for each of the following conditions:
fracture with external fixation
fracture with internal fixation
fracture requiring non-surgical management
musculoskeletal injury where the person requires continuous passive motion therapy (CPM)
amputation where the person requires assistance with a prosthetic aid or device
conducted 2 specific activities in the workplace or simulated environment to support quality and promote safe innovations in orthopaedic nursing for an interdisciplinary team based on knowledge acquired through own professional development and learning.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
the impact orthopaedic conditions may have on the person, including:
limitations in ability to perform daily living activities
loss or limitation of physical function
reduction in musculoskeletal function
accompanying trauma, injuries or impact of secondary disease processes
impact on sexuality, relationships, self-image, body image
grief and loss
need for support with personal coping mechanisms and community support mechanisms
need for support with maintenance, improvement of quality of life
anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of clinical manifestations of orthopaedic conditions, with sufficiently in-depth knowledge to make considered judgements and to contribute professionally to the orthopaedic care team
musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
gout
systemic lupus erythematosus
osteomyelitis
bursitis
epicondylitis
hallux valgus
avascular necrosis
compartment syndrome
thromboembolism
disseminated intravascular coagulation
delayed union
fat embolism
contractures
congenital musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
torticollis
spina bifida
traumatic musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
dislocations
sprains
fractures
traumatic amputations
degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
arthritis
back pain
muscle spasm
disc prolapse
osteoarthritis
osteitis deformans
osteomalacia
surgical interventions for musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
internal and external fixtures for fractures, applications of surgical braces
removal of bunions
elective surgical procedures (joint replacement surgery)
laminectomy
surgical amputation
bone tumours, such as:
metastatic bone carcinoma
multiple myeloma
bone tuberculosis
osteosarcoma
chondrosarcoma
specialised in-depth knowledge of orthopaedic equipment and devices used on the person including:
traction devices
castings
community and in-hospital rehabilitation services available for the person with orthopaedic conditions
diagnostic tests associated with orthopaedics and their meanings including:
X-rays
Computerised Tomography (CT) scans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans
ultrasounds
bone scans
biopsies
specialised medical and surgical nursing management of the person with orthopaedic condition including emergency management of complications
phases of recovery and how these impact nursing care for the person with orthopaedic condition
reflective practice and evidence-based practice in line with current literature and work of professional bodies associated with medical conditions.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources in line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s Standards including:
splints
bandages for casting
prosthetics
progressive notes of a de-identified person’s medical history
organisation policy and procedures on which the candidate bases the planning
modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in enrolled nursing work.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a Registered Nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.