Definitions

Client

Is an individual or individuals of any age with the potential for or experiencing neuromuscular and skeletal challenges including degenerative, traumatic, inflammatory, congenital, metabolic and oncological disorders.

Individuals do not live in isolation, rather they are members of a larger family, a group, or a community with which they interact. Therefore, depending on the situation an individual, an individual & his family or an individual/individuals within a group may be the focus of care.

Practice Environement

Orthopaedic nurses practice in a variety of capacities and settings including the home, community and healthcare institutions, primary to tertiary, ambulatory and long term.

Orthopaedic Nurse

The Orthopaedic Nurse is a registered nurse who, in addition to his/her general nursing knowledge, brings to his/her practice a specialized and expanding body of knowledge pertaining to the care of clients with, or with the potential for, challenges of the neuromuscular and skeletal system.

Health

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. Health is a resource for living, a positive concept, the extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment. (World Health Organization, 1984a). Health is influenced by social, economic, political, developmental, psychological, physical, biological, and cultural factors. Moreover, health is individually defined and can be understood only in the context of the client's personal value system. Therefore, value placed on health varies among individuals, as does an individual's health potential vary from individual to individual.

Individuals influence their own health and may direct their behaviours towards the achievement of their own health potential, through preventive and promotive activities, maintenance and rehabilitation efforts.

Context of Practice

Orthopaedic nurses practice independently and/or collaboratively as a member of a healthcare team providing care required by clients in a variety of settings. The orthopaedic nurse co-ordinates client care activities, facilitates the exchange of information between the client, the family and other healthcare professionals, and offers a unique and comprehensive perspective drawing on specialized knowledge and clinical experience. Orthopaedic nurses play an important role in policy development in both the public and private sectors as a means of promoting neuromuscular and skeletal health in the population as a whole.