NAON: Professional Development for Orthopaedic Nurses - Essay Sample

Introduction

The specialty professional associations help in addressing the problems within the specific scope of practice. The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses is one organization that helps its members achieve their career goals. The NAON supports orthopaedic nurses by guiding them in professional development. In understanding the significance of the NAON, it is relevant to underscore the vision, mission, benefits to orthopaedic nurses, networking benefits, and continuing education.

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About NAON

The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses is a non-profit professional organization. The association brings together nurses that provide orthopaedic services in the country. Founded in 1980, NAON has, over the years, engaged in advocating for orthopaedic nurses' rights and privileges.

NAON's purpose is to coordinate a platform where orthopaedic nurses interact with current information regarding their practice (NAON, 2020). The association integrates holistic processes to ensure that the caregivers understand the scope of practice in orthopaedic unit. The mission of NAON is to improve the value of orthopaedic nursing by providing a platform for rigorous research, nursing education, and training (NAON, 2020). NAON is an inclusive society engaging orthopaedic nurses as well as allied health practitioners. NAON's vision is to establish a community of professionals that appreciate how they care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions (NAON, 2020). NAON delivers valuable services by providing relevant and current information through research and education on musculoskeletal problems. Besides, the organization considers patients as part of this community. Therefore, NAON plays a critical role in bonding patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders, including supporting them through their challenges.

Benefits to Members and Networking Prospects

The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses has an array of benefits for its members. The first perk is on contact hours. Members earn contact hours by engaging in member benefit webinar series. They also get webinar products at discounted prices. Besides, they get reduced rates when attending the NAON's Annual Congress. Nurses can access the Orthopaedic Nursing Journal at lower costs (NAON, 2020). In terms of resources, members access the membership directory that has 6,000 orthopaedic professionals (NAON, 2020). They can engage in the Practice Discussion forum that has more than 200 discussions ongoing. They can access NAON News, exclusively eligible to grants and scholarships, and Orthopaedic Nursing Journal (NAON, 2020). Lastly, members enjoy a discount on professional liability insurance from NSO.

The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses enhances networking through diverse methodologies. First, members have the opportunity of joining a task force, committee, or local chapter of professionals (NAON, 2020). These platforms help allow members to interact with each other. They learn new methodologies or approaches to orthopaedic care. Besides, NAON provides a platform of interaction through its Annual Congress. The event offers ground for nurses to meet from every state to understand their practice. The "American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons" or AAOS meeting is significant in allowing nurses to interact with other related medical professionals (Matsen III, Jette, & Neradilek, 2013). Specifically, the interactions with surgeons enable nurses to advance their level of knowledge and experience.

Enhancing Knowledge on Current Trends

Nurses have to keep up with emerging trends in healthcare. Innovations help in reducing medical errors while improving the quality of care. NAON has an established system that it uses to enhance knowledge. The Orthopaedic Symposiums organized by NAON has influenced the members in helping how they take care of orthopaedic patients (NAON, 2020). Clinical concepts such as fracture care, cartilage repair, and resurfacing procedures require critical care with minimal errors. Thus, the symposiums provide nurses with an opportunity of presenting clinical approaches that may improve patient care.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

NAON collaborates every year with the AAOS and "National Association of Orthopaedic Technologists" to allow nurses and related health practitioners to continue their education (NAON, 2020). The continuing education programs are significant in helping nurses to specialize in orthopaedic topics. These aspects occur at the AAOS Annual Meeting. The meeting helps in both networking and career development.

In professional development, nurses advance their practice by being an editor, author, or reviewer of NAON's educational products voluntarily. Nurses can make presentations at national conferences. Members also gain access to Canyon Healthcare Education Collaborative Program (NAON, 2020). This educational program is a product of Grand Canyon University. Specifically, members receive scholarships at 10% off tuition (NAON, 2020). NAON also provides certifications during the yearly Orthopaedic Symposium (NAON, 2020). While the symposium focuses on networking, it is a platform that nurses use to learn the emerging trends in orthopaedic nursing. The seminars attract nurses with vast experiences, providing concepts on the treatment and care of orthopaedic patients. After such events, NAON offers certifications on how nurses presented their projects.

Conclusion

Nurses in professional associations have a sense of belonging. The organizations provide support to nursing careers. The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses undertakes its mandate in providing educational, professional development, experience, and networking opportunities to orthopaedic nurses. The discussion affirms the relevance of NAON in helping nurses achieve their professional targets, including career development and provision of quality care.

References

Matsen III, F. A., Jette, J. L., & Neradilek, M. B. (2013). Demographics of disclosure of conflicts of interest at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. JBJS, 95(5), e29.

NAON (2020). About NAON. National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses: http://www.orthonurse.org/page/aboutus