What Do Orthopaedic Nurse Navigators Do? A Role Delineation Study

Patient navigation and care coordination have similar outcomes. The navigator role is necessary for integrated patient-centered care. The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses conducted informal surveys to understand the nurse navigator role and develop educational resources. A gap exists in understanding orthopaedic nurse navigator knowledge and tasks. The aim of this article is to define the knowledge and tasks necessary for orthopaedic nurse navigators. A survey was developed, tested, and disseminated to individuals who identified as orthopaedic nurse navigators. Ninety-three participants were included in the analysis. Full-time nurse navigators are orthopaedic certified, baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses. Ninety-five percent or more of respondents identified eight knowledge areas and 35 core tasks performed by orthopaedic nurse navigators. This study identified educational topics to be included in orthopaedic nurse navigator education and knowledge and tasks that should be included in orthopaedic nurse navigator position descriptions.