The inherent components of the orthopaedic nursing role: An exploratory study

This research builds upon previous work and attempts to add to the limited evidence which suggests that orthopaedic nurses are specialists. The UK modernisation agenda has provided an impetus to further explore concepts of the uniqueness of orthopaedic nursing. The aims of the study were to explore the inherent components of the orthopaedic nursing role as perceived by the practitioners themselves and to add to the body of knowledge on orthopaedic nursing as a specialty. Using a focus group method, data was collated from eight practising orthopaedic nurses. The transcripts were subjected to a qualitative thematic analysis. The themes that emerged were: partner/guide, risk manager, comfort enhancer and technician. The data highlighted that although orthopaedic nursing has many generalist components, it also possesses distinctive specialist orthopaedic components.