Travel Orthopedics Registered Nurse

An Orthopedics Registered Nurse (RN) provides nursing care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, surgical repairs, joint replacements, fractures, and mobility limitations. This role supports adult and older adult patient populations across orthopedic units, post-surgical settings, and related acute care environments.

The Orthopedics RN assesses patient status, manages pain, monitors post-operative recovery, supports mobility and rehabilitation goals, and promotes safe healing. The role collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, case managers, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to support coordinated, patient-centered care.

Travel Orthopedics RNs work contract assignments in multiple healthcare facilities and must adapt rapidly to new clinical environments, unit workflows, documentation systems, and interdisciplinary teams. Assignments may include rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and floating to appropriate units based on competency and patient care needs. The role requires flexibility, professional independence, and the ability to maintain safe orthopedic nursing care while meeting facility-specific expectations.

Responsibilities

• Assess and monitor orthopedic patients, including neurovascular status, pain level, mobility, skin integrity, and post-operative recovery.
• Provide nursing care for patients with fractures, joint replacements, spinal procedures, orthopedic trauma, and musculoskeletal disorders.
• Administer medications, manage pain control interventions, and monitor patient response according to provider orders and nursing standards.
• Monitor surgical sites, dressings, drains, casts, braces, traction, and immobilization devices within the RN scope of practice.
• Support early mobility, fall prevention, safe transfers, and rehabilitation plans in collaboration with physical and occupational therapy teams.
• Educate patients and families on post-operative care, mobility precautions, medication use, wound care, discharge instructions, and signs of complications.
• Identify and report changes in condition, including infection, impaired circulation, uncontrolled pain, respiratory changes, or mobility-related safety concerns.
• Document assessments, interventions, patient responses, education, and care coordination accurately in the electronic health record.
• Assist with care planning, discharge readiness, and coordination of follow-up needs for orthopedic patients.
• Maintain infection prevention, patient safety, and evidence-based nursing practices in the orthopedic care setting.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• Licensure: Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license. Compact licensure may be accepted where applicable.
• Certifications
• BLS
• ACLS may be required depending on unit acuity and facility requirements
• Skills: Requires strong orthopedic nursing assessment skills, clinical judgment, pain management knowledge, mobility and fall-prevention awareness, and accurate documentation. Proficiency with post-operative monitoring, patient education, EHR systems, communication, time management, and interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to support safe recovery and coordinated care.

Experience

Minimum one year of recent orthopedic nursing experience required for travel assignments. Recent medical-surgical or post-operative nursing experience may be considered depending on assignment requirements. Additional experience with joint replacement, fracture care, orthopedic trauma, or spinal surgery patients may be preferred.

Preferences

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Orthopedic Nursing Certification (ONC)
• Recent experience in an acute care orthopedic or surgical unit
• Experience with post-operative mobility protocols and discharge planning
• EHR/EMR proficiency
• Quality improvement or patient safety experience
• Bilingual communication skills when relevant to the patient population

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan (401(k))
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Leave
• Continuing Education Assistance
• Professional Development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance
• Travel Reimbursement
• Housing Assistance or Stipend