If you’re an orthopedic nurse, you may have heard some of your coworkers talking about ortho travel nurse jobs.
You probably found yourself wondering, “Is that a career path I should take?”
If you’ve ever been curious about orthopedic travel nurse jobs, we are here to answer your questions — from how much it pays to what the benefits are and more.
Keep reading to find out why ortho travel nurse jobs are a perfect fit for many people and how we can help you pursue the best options.
Table of Contents
- Orthopedic Travel Nurse Job Description
- Job Requirements for an Ortho Travel Nurse
- Where Are Ortho Travel Nurses Needed the Most?
- How Much Do Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs Pay?
- Are Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs in High Demand?
- How Long Is a Typical Ortho Travel Nurse Contract?
- What Can You Expect From a Job as an Orthopedic Travel Nurse?
- Searching Through Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs With No Luck? Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Help
Orthopedic Travel Nurse Job Description
An orthopedic travel nurse is a registered nurse specializing in the treatment and prevention of disorders that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. These include musculoskeletal conditions such as:
- Bone fractures
- Fibromyalgia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- And more
An orthopedic travel nurse’s main goal is to help patients with these kinds of issues become fully mobile and pain-free.
Typical duties of orthopedic nurse jobs may include:
- Assisting doctors with surgery
- Helping patients regain strength and mobility during recovery
- Assessing pain levels
- Administering and monitoring medications
- Educating patients and families about musculoskeletal disease
- Treating injuries with wound dressing, casting, or traction
- Facilitating at-home recuperation from surgery or injury
- And more
Job Requirements for an Ortho Travel Nurse
To start, you must be a registered nurse who has earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Some RNs with an Associate Degree in nursing may also work in ortho nurse jobs, but many facilities prefer a higher degree.
Other orthopedic travel nurses are Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners who have earned their Master of Science in Nursing degree.
To be a an ortho travel nurse, most travel nurse agencies, like Trusted Nurse Staffing, require at least 2 years of nursing experience. However, this is typically not a problem for orthopedic nurses. To be an orthopedic nurse, you must have 2 years of nursing experience and 1,000 hours in orthopedics before you can pursue certification.
Do You Need Any Advanced Certifications to Apply for Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs?
After completing the above requirements, you may then apply for certification through the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board.
There are three different levels of certification ranging from basic to more advanced:
- ONC Certification
- NP Certification
- ONC-A Advanced Certification
Passing the basic exam allows the RN to gain the Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC) credential. This certification is the only credential that indicates expertise in the specialty of ortho nursing.
What Skills Make a Good Ortho Nurse?
An orthopedic nurse will learn all the technical skills related to the job while training, pursuing certification, and practicing. But there are also other qualities and characteristics that will serve ortho nurses well.
These include things such as:
- Being organized
- Being resilient
- The ability to think on one’s feet
- Strong active listening skills
- Attention to detail
- Heightened critical thinking
- Superb communication skills
- The ability to show empathy for patients and form strong connections with them
You may note that many of the skills which make a good orthopedic nurse are also great for any travel nurse. When you are traveling to different places and starting new jobs over and over, being a fast-thinking and detail-oriented person will always help you out.
Where Are Ortho Travel Nurses Needed the Most?
The truth is, ortho travel nurses are needed pretty much everywhere!
Due to the ongoing healthcare crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are vast backlogs of surgical procedures that need to be completed. Having orthopedic travel nurses who can go wherever the need is greatest at any given time can help alleviate these issues.
Plus orthopedic care is needed now more than ever. More on that later.
What Types of Facilities Hire Travel Orthopedic Nurses?
Because orthopedic nurse work can be so varied and such a large chunk of the population requires it from time to time, there are many different types of facilities that hire travel orthopedic nurses.
Ortho travel nurses may work in …
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Outpatient care clinics
- Orthopedic surgery centers
- Rehab facilities
- Physical therapy offices
- Sports medicine clinics
- Home health agencies
- Assisted living facilities; or
- Ambulatory infusion centers
… around the country.
How Much Do Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs Pay?
The national average salary for orthopedic travel nurses is currently $92,283 per year. This figure may go up to $150,000 annually for some areas and orthopedic specialties.
Because orthopedic nurses are so highly trained, they generally earn more than many other types of nurses.
What Are the Top Paying Cities for Ortho Travel Nurses?
The top-paying cities for ortho travel nurse jobs are currently:
- Cincinnati, OH
- Houston, TX
- St. Paul, MN
- Coeur d’Alene, ID
- San Juan, Puerto Rico; and
- The five boroughs of New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens
What Benefits Do Ortho Travel Nurses Receive?
If you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your travel nursing contract, Trusted Nurse Staffing is the way to go. We are one of the highest paying travel nursing agencies around and want you to get everything you deserve for the hard work you do.
We offer:
- Maximum stipend pay
- Competitive rates
- A large selection of high-paying contracts
- Bonuses such as sign-on, completion, referral, and loyalty rewards
- Benefits options for health, vision, and dental
- Retirement benefits
- And more
When you call Trusted Nurse Staffing, a real person answers the phone! We guarantee 24/7 access to your recruiter so you’ll always have help when you need it.
We want you to reap the maximum rewards for your ortho travel nurse job and are passionate about assisting you in whatever way we can.
Are Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs in High Demand?
The demand for ortho travel nurse jobs is higher than ever before. One study estimates that nearly 130 million people — that’s half of all American adults — are affected by a musculoskeletal condition.
Why is there such a need for orthopedic specialists right now?
One reason is that people are living longer than ever before. An aging population means that more people:
- Need joint replacement surgery
- Have complications from arthritis
- Will have fractures due to osteoporosis
- Etc.
Another reason is that there are increasing sports-related injuries as people seek to live active lifestyles.
Workplace injuries have always been common among blue-collar workers, such as shoulder or back injuries due to lifting and moving heavy items.
But these days there are increasing orthopedic injuries in white-collar jobs as well due to spending a lot of time sitting at a computer — think neck problems or carpal tunnel syndrome.
The need for orthopedic nurses will never go away, and opportunities for ortho travel nurses to find jobs they will love are everywhere.
How Long Is a Typical Ortho Travel Nurse Contract?
A typical ortho travel nursing contract lasts for 13 weeks.
However, Trusted Nurse Staffing likes to offer flexibility whenever possible. We may offer contracts that are 6,8, or 13 weeks long based on a facility’s needs.
Trusted Nurse Staffing also gives you the option of taking time off between assignments, so you can build a schedule that is perfect for your lifestyle.
What Can You Expect From a Job as an Orthopedic Travel Nurse?
Orthopedic nursing is an exciting field with many opportunities for growth. Here are some things you can expect while working as an ortho travel nurse.
Fast-Paced Environment
Orthopedic travel nurses can work in a variety of settings, but because they are often dealing with things like …
- Broken bones
- Pain management; or
- Surgical procedures
… time is of the essence.
Because of the fast-paced environment, ortho travel nurses can have a long-term impact on their patients in a short amount of time.
Limited Orientation Time
The amount of training you will receive for travel jobs is specific to each facility — but because orthopedic nurses endure such rigorous training to get their certifications in this field, your orientation time may be limited for new jobs.
Rewarding Experiences
Besides the perks of a flexible schedule and high compensation, orthopedic travel nurse jobs come with rewards like:
- Travel experiences that let you see the country in different ways
- Being allowed to explore different things you love about nursing
- Building a large professional network
- Making friends all over — which is great when you want to just go back for a visit!
A Shining Resume
The skills you will gain as you work in a variety of orthopedic facilities across the country are invaluable. Plus, references from doctors and other professionals you have worked with will go a long way in building your career.
Searching Through Ortho Travel Nurse Jobs With No Luck? Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Help
Working with Trusted Nurse Staffing means putting your career in the best possible hands. We provide reliable and experienced assistance with:
- Finding work
- Securing necessary training; and
- Supporting you in your position
If you’re looking for ortho travel nurse jobs and just haven’t been able to find the right one, let us help.
Create a free profile to start viewing jobs today and find out how our exceptional commitment to service can help you follow your passions and earn more money — all while seeing the world!