The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) is an American non-profit volunteer-run

professional association A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) usually seeks to advocacy, further a particular profession, the interests of individuals and organisations engaged in that professio ...

that aims to advance

orthopaedic nursing Orthopaedic nursing (or orthopedic nursing) is a nursing specialty focused on the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Orthopaedic issues range from acute problems such as fractures or hospitalization for joint replacement to chr ...

. Formed in 1980, NAON was designed to promote the highest standards of

nursing practice Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health c ...

by educating its practitioners, promoting research, and encouraging effective communication between orthopaedic nurses and other groups with similar interests. NAON membership consists of more than 7,000 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, student nurses, and associate members from across the United States and around the world who share an interest in

musculoskeletal The human musculoskeletal system (also known as the human locomotor system, and previously the activity system) is an organ system that gives humans the ability to move using their muscular and skeletal systems. The musculoskeletal system prov ...

health care. NAON is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the

American Nurses Credentialing Center The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is a certification body for nursing board certification and the largest certification body for advanced practice registered nurses in the U ...

's Commission on Accreditation. Starting in 1981, NAON has organized an annual congress at different locations in the United States.

History

One of the main goals of the founders of NAON was to form a stronger and firmer foundation for the development of an orthopaedic nursing organization. Recovering from the unexpected dissolution of the previous organization, Orthopaedic Nurses Association (ONA), members from across the United States met on March 8, 1980, in

Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...

, under the leadership of Nancy Hesselbach and Barbara Fiehler. This meeting was convened during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Subsequently, NAON was established and incorporated in

Missouri Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee): Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas t ...

on April 14, 1980.

Publications

NAON publishes: * ''

Orthopaedic Nursing Orthopaedic nursing (or orthopedic nursing) is a nursing specialty focused on the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Orthopaedic issues range from acute problems such as fractures or hospitalization for joint replacement to chr ...

'', a peer-reviewed

nursing journal This is a list of notable academic journals about nursing. *'' AACN Advanced Critical Care'' *'' AACN Nursing Scan in Critical Care'' *'' Advance for NPs & PAs'' *'' Advances in Neonatal Care'' *'' American Journal of Critical Care'' *' ...

* ''NAON News'' * ''Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing''

Foundation

The NAON Foundation supports the goals and mission of NAON by providing grants, scholarships, and awards to nurses pursuing careers in orthopaedic nursing practice, education,

administration Administration may refer to: Management of organizations * Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal ** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, admini ...

, and research.

External links

*
Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board
{{Authority control 1980 establishments in the United States Nursing organizations in the United States Orthopedic organizations Medical and health professional associations in Chicago