Beliefs and Guiding Principles of Canadian Orthopaedic Nursing

The orthopaedic nurse values and believes in:

Caring

Orthopaedic nurses use a caring approach in interactions with their clients by demonstrating genuine concern for and interest in them as well as providing for their welfare, safety, and comfort.

Health and Well-being of their Clients

Orthopaedic nurses define health broadly recognizing that it is influenced by social, economic, political, developmental, psychological, physical, biological and cultural factors. Orthopaedic nurses respect the clients' perception of health and acknowledge that clients are accountable for their own health.

The Uniqueness of Clients

Orthopaedic nurses believe clients are holistic beings who have varying roles within their families, groups, and communities. Orthopaedic nurses recognize that responses by an individual to a health challenge are influenced by many factors, the interaction of which may result in complex and varied needs requiring consideration and attention.

The Rights of Clients

Orthopaedic nurses acknowledge that clients have the right to autonomy, respect, privacy, dignity, confidentiality, informed consent and access to information. Orthopaedic nurses respect and strive to protect, maintain and advocate for the rights of an individual in their care.

Fairness and Equality

Orthopaedic nurses strive to preserve, protect and promote fairness by attempting to make healthcare accessible to and equitable for all clients.

Mobility

Orthopaedic nurses acknowledge that mobility is a multidimensional concept and that all clients are capable of mobility within their individual limitations and/or strengths. Orthopaedic nurses recognize that mobility is affected by orthopaedic challenges/disorders. Alterations in mobility have an impact on client health, well-being, autonomy, and ultimately, quality of life.

Partnership with Client, Family, Peers and Other Members of the Healthcare Team

Orthopaedic nurses use effective communication skills, embrace the knowledge and expertise of others and respect the values, beliefs, abilities, rights, obligations and needs of all members of the healthcare team. Orthopaedic nurses support active participation, collaboration, and partnership with all members of the healthcare team.

Orthopaedic nurses view the client as an equal member of the healthcare team. The team achieves shared objectives when each team member applies his/her expertise to client health challenges.

Practice Environments Conducive to Quality Healthcare

Orthopaedic nurses believe that environment has a major impact on health and care delivery and that nurses can actively participate in enhancing practice environments.

Orthopaedic nurses value environments that:

• support the best possible client outcomes;
• support safe, competent, and cost-effective ethical care;
• involve and value nursing in decision-making of the practice environment;
• enhance professional nursing practice and quality of work life;
• support and facilitate continuing professional education and personal development; and
• recognize orthopaedic nursing as a specialty nursing practice.

Accountability and Responsibility for Nursing Practice

Orthopaedic nurses act in a manner consistent with their professional responsibilities, beliefs and values, and standards of practice. Orthopaedic nurses are accountable to their clients, to their employer, and to their profession in accordance with the requirements of the provincial regulatory body. Orthopaedic nurses believe nursing practice should be evidence-based and competency should be maintained through a professionally evaluative reflective process.

Learning

Orthopaedic nurses have and use unique knowledge to provide holistic care to their clients. Orthopaedic nurses are committed to lifelong learning. Orthopaedic nurses recognize their responsibility to share knowledge and skills in order for their clients to achieve their potential.

The Beliefs and Principles governing the standards arise from the values of nursing as described in the Code of Ethics for a RN (CNA, 1997c) and "A National Framework for the Development of Standards for the Practice of Nursing". (CNA, 1998)