Welcome to the Orthopaedic Nurses Association of Western Australia.
Setting the highest standards of Orthopaedic nursing practice for optimum patient care
We are a West Australian organisation committed to the advancement of the profession of Orthopaedic nursing.
Why Join ONAWA
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.
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."
— Unknown Nurse —