What does an orthopedic nurse do? Learn everything you need to know about this in-demand nursing specialty including orthopedic nurse certification requirements, salary, typical duties, and much more. Orthopedic nursing is a growing and popular field of nursing that’s more than simply treating broken bones. It’s a diverse field that focuses on helping patients who suffer from a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries, diseases, and disorders. So what does an orthopedic nurse do? The specialty of orthopedic nursing treats patients who suffer from: Bone fractures Broken bones Arthritis Genetic malformations Joint replacements Osteoporosis Degenerative disorders Musculoskeletal tumors Neuromuscular disorders Pediatric