How to Become an Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner
Some may say orthopaedic nurse practitioners are everyday heroes. In physicians’ offices, clinics, and hospitals alike, they care for patients suffering from a range of musculoskeletal conditions affecting bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves.
Daily duties of an orthopaedic nurse practitioner may include conducting physical exams, taking detailed patient histories, prescribing tests and treatments, and then analyzing the results. By working closely with physicians and nursing staff, orthopaedic nurse practitioners coordinate patients’ care from the time of injury to discharge.
Orthopaedic nursing can be a highly rewarding career path for people who genuinely care about both helping others toward physical recovery and seeing their hard work pay off meaningfully.
According to the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON), “The role of the orthopaedic nurse is to advance musculoskeletal healthcare by promoting excellence in orthopaedic research, education, and nursing practice.” From prescribing pain medications for broken bones to analyzing hip replacement x-rays, orthopaedic nurse practitioners serve a diverse set of patients with diverse issues—empowering them on the path to recovery.
Note that “orthopaedic” and “orthopedic” are often used interchangeably but both relay the same meaning.
There are several common steps to earning an orthopaedic nurse practitioner (ONP) certification. Prior education, certification, and clinical practice are among the requirements for admission to a nurse practitioner program. Here’s the step-by-step path you can take to become an orthopaedic nurse practitioner:
In order to apply to a nurse practitioner program, you must have earned a license as a registered nurse in a U.S. state or territory. Passing the NCLEX-RN examination is required for certification as a registered nurse.
The program you choose should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These programs must be master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.
Sponsored online nursing programs
It’s important for aspiring NPs to have a clear understanding of state laws that govern their practice.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
4. Obtain 2,000 hours of practice as an APRN.
The ONP-C examination for certification as an orthopedic nurse practitioner requires at least 2,000 hours of practice. Some of your hours earned in your nurse practitioner program may count.
5. Apply to take the ONP-C exam to earn your orthopaedic nurse practitioner certification.
This exam is administered by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) and tests knowledge of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries and the roles required of ONPs. Final transcripts and proof of education are required.
6. Maintain your certification.
Your orthopedic nurse practitioner certification must be renewed every five years. In addition to renewing certification through the board, renewal through the state is also required and may require additional fulfillment of continuing education contact hours.
Should I Become an Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner?
Your personal attributes may help you to determine whether a job as an orthopaedic nurse practitioner is the best fit for you. Maybe communicating effectively is your strong suit. Or, you’re known for your attention to detail.
When considering a career as an orthopaedic nurse practitioner, think about the soft skills that might help you to get through tough days at work or enable you to gain the trust of your patients. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you explore this career path:
Do I enjoy regularly interacting with others? Strong interpersonal skills are critical to various healthcare occupations, including orthopaedic nurse practitioner roles. Each day, you’ll care for patients across the lifespan at different stages of recovery. During your face-to-face time, you’ll provide guidance on their journey toward musculoskeletal strength.
Do I have a strong sense of compassion? As an orthopaedic nurse practitioner, you may be caring for patients who have endured traumatic events and extreme pain, such as surgery, chronic illness, or a high-impact motor vehicle accident. Empathy is essential at every point of the recovery process.
Am I a patient person? The path from injury to discharge may be long and winding. As an orthopaedic nurse practitioner, patience can help you celebrate patients’ progress—no matter how small—while helping them power through setbacks and frustration.
Orthopaedic Nurse Certification
Founded in 1986, The Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) promotes the highest standards of orthopaedic nursing practice through the development, implementation and coordination of certification for orthopaedic nurses.
By taking the ONP-C exam, aspiring orthopaedic nurse practitioners can take strides toward achieving professional development and excellence in their field. According to the ONCB, gaining your certification is a way to prove both a commitment to lifelong learning and a high level of knowledge, all while increasing your confidence as an orthopaedic nurse practitioner.
Here’s some more information about the ONP-C certification:
Orthopaedic Nursing Certification Board (ONCB) – Oncology Nurse Practitioner – Certified (ONP-C)
- Eligibility Requirements: Those seeking certification must hold a valid RN license with three full years of practice experience, a master’s level degree from an advanced nursing practice (APRN) program and have a minimum of 2,000 hours of APRN work experience in the last three years.
- Fees:
- $350 for NAON/AANP/NOVA members
- $475 for non-members
- Renewal Process: Certification is valid for five years. ONP-Cs must present 1,500 hours of practice as a nurse practitioner during the last five years before renewal, and 100 contact hours of education (65 in clinical orthopaedics and up to 35 in general nursing).
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. The programs combine live classes, engaging coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences to help you advance your career as an NP. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.
- Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Full-time and part-time tracks available
Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing@Georgetown enables RNs to earn their MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University. Through a research-based curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, the program prepares students to pursue certification in an APRN specialty area and provide specialized care for patients in their communities. BSN required.
- Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
- Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
- Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Master of Science in Nursing
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. The online pathway combines live classes, 600 hours of clinical rotations, and on-campus immersions to prepare you to pursue NP licensure in one of four specialties: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, or AGPCNP.
- Part-time and accelerated tracks available
- Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Orthopaedic Nurse Resources
There are immense benefits to staying current in the healthcare field, such as advancing in the workplace and learning to provide the best possible care to your patients.
One way to stay current is to engage in continued learning and make use of professional development resources offered through professional organizations across the country. To that end, here are a few resources that may help you enhance your career and guide you through the path to orthopaedic nursing.
- Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board. As you know, this is the national certifying body for orthopaedic nurses and orthopaedic nurse practitioners.
- National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses. This is a membership-based organization for orthopaedic nurses in the U.S.
- Orthopaedic Nursing. This is a peer-reviewed journal available in print and online.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook for Nurse Practitioners. The BLS provides the most recent salary data for NPs, as well as job growth information.
Additional Nursing Degree Programs
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Online MSN Programs
- Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs Online
- Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Programs Online
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs Online
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs Online
Nursing Licensure
Select your state
- Alabama (AL)
- Alaska (AK)
- Arizona (AZ)
- Arkansas (AR)
- California (CA)
- Colorado (CO)
- Connecticut (CT)
- Delaware (DE)
- Florida (FL)
- Georgia (GA)
- Hawaii (HI)
- Idaho (ID)
- Illinois (IL)
- Indiana (IN)
- Iowa (IA)
- Kansas (KS)
- Kentucky (KY)
- Louisiana (LA)
- Maine (ME)
- Maryland (MD)
- Massachusetts (MA)
- Michigan (MI)
- Minnesota (MN)
- Mississippi (MS)
- Missouri (MO)
- Montana (MT)
- Nebraska (NE)
- Nevada (NV)
- New Hampshire (NH)
- New Jersey (NJ)
- New Mexico (NM)
- New York (NY)
- North Carolina (NC)
- North Dakota (ND)
- Ohio (OH)
- Oklahoma (OK)
- Oregon (OR)
- Pennsylvania (PA)
- Rhode Island (RI)
- South Carolina (SC)
- South Dakota (SD)
- Tennessee (TN)
- Texas (TX)
- Utah (UT)
- Vermont (VT)
- Virginia (VA)
- Washington (WA)
- Washington, DC (DC)
- West Virginia (WV)
- Wisconsin (WI)
- Wyoming (WY)
FAQs
Orthopaedic nurse practitioners care for patients with musculoskeletal problems, including broken bones, arthritis, osteoporosis, joint replacements, and other injuries and diseases. On a day-to-day basis, they are responsible for conducting physical exams, taking patient histories, and performing a variety of other tasks related to musculoskeletal strength and health. They often collaborate with physicians and nursing staff to provide individualized patient care.
As the population ages, the BLS expects demand for nurse practitioners to continue to grow. These professionals will be responsible for addressing complex conditions associated with aging. That may include musculoskeletal rehabilitation and more.
Information last updated: October 2025