Welcome to the Orthopaedic Nurses Association of Western Australia.

Setting the highest standards of Orthopaedic nursing practice for optimum patient care

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We are a West Australian organisation committed to the advancement of the profession of Orthopaedic nursing.

Why Join ONAWA

The Association is open to any nurse interested in orthopaedic nursing. Students are also welcome.

Association Activities

Professional Development Evenings with speakers

Monthly committee meetings

Professional Development Days & workshops

Networking with Orthopaedic Nurses Associations interstate

Grants for educational purposes

Opportunity to meet members at informal occasions

Annual conference

Affiliation with ANZONA (Australia New Zealand Orthopaedic Nurses Alliance)

Definition

The derivation of the term "orthopaedic" is from the Greek - orthos (straight) and paedis (child). The historic definition "the rearing of straight children" remains an important concept within the modern definition - the study of the form and function of the human frame.

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Scope

Orthopaedic care may take place in the home, clinic, community, acute care ward, long term facility or hospice, or anywhere else that care is needed. The success of orthopaedic care is in the team approach, the recognition of the skills and limitations of each member and acceptance of the client/patient as central and contributing to the plan of care.

Major Concepts

Careful consultation is required to formulate admission, transfer and discharge plans as part of the overall plan of care. Orthopaedic care involves all phases from prevention & maintenance, through early recognition of dysfunction, diagnoses, treatment, restoration of function and rehabilitation. People of all ages may develop locomotive problems through a variety of causes. The discipline of orthopaedics incorporates various subspecialties (eg. trauma, rheumatology & paediatrics).

“A nurse is not what you do. It is what you are…. I am a nurse. It’s not what I do, it’s what I am."