Find information resources about Trauma and Orthopaedic Nursing including key resources, books, and journal articles. This guide is for RCN members including nursing students, nursing support workers, and registered nurses.

• Key Resources
• Books
• Journals

Key Resources Books Journals

Key Resources

Royal College of Nursing (2026) Acute limb compartment syndrome observation chart. London: RCN.

• View page

Royal College of Nursing (2022) Guidance on pin site care. London: RCN.

• View page

Royal College of Nursing (2026) Traction principles and application. RCN guidance. 3rd edn. London: RCN.

• View page

Clinical resources on RCN Learn

• Explore the range of quality-assured resources and courses we offer on trauma and orthopaedic nursing.

British Orthopaedic Association: BOA Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics (BOASts)

• View page

We would like to thank the RCN Trauma and Orthopaedic Nursing member community for their input into the development of this subject guide.

Books

Clarke S and Drozd M (2023) Orthopaedic and trauma nursing: an evidence-based approach to musculoskeletal care. Chichester: Wiley and Sons

• Access through RCN Library

Cunningham S and Moore T (2021) Nursing skills in supporting mobility. London: Routledge.

• Access through RCN Library

Greaves I, Porter K M and Garner J (2022) Trauma care manual. 3rd edn. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Hertz K and Santy-Tomlinson J (2024) Fragility fracture nursing: holistic care and management of the fragility fracture and the orthogeriatric patient. Switzerland: Springer.

• Access through RCN Library

Jester R, Santy-Tomlinson J and Rogers J (eds.) (2021) Oxford handbook of trauma and orthopaedic nursing. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Access through RCN Library

MacKenzie C, Cornell C and Memtsoudis S (eds.) (2020) Perioperative care of the orthopedic patient. 2nd edition. New York: Springer.

• Access through RCN Library

McQuillan K A and Makic M B F (eds.) (2020) Trauma nursing: from resuscitation through rehabilitation. 5th edn. Missouri: Elsevier.

• Access through RCN Library

Oliver S M (2020) Oxford handbook of musculoskeletal nursing. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Peate I (2025) The musculoskeletal system. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

• Access through RCN Library

Price J, McAlinden O and Veal Zoë (2024) (eds.) Essentials of nursing children and young people. 2nd edn. London: Sage.

• Chapter 23 covers care of children and young people with musculoskeletal problems.
  Access through RCN Library

Shortland A and Gough M (2022) Musculoskeletal system in children with cerebral palsy: a philosophical approach to management. London: Mac Keith Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Wallmann H W and Donatelli R (eds.) (2024) Foundations of orthopedic physical therapy. New York: Routledge.

• Access through RCN Library

Book subject searches

Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.

• Musculoskeletal
• Orthopaedic
• Orthopaedic trauma
• Trauma

Journal articles

Use these links for details of journal articles on each topic.

• Musculoskeletal assessment
• Orthopaedic and trauma nursing
• Orthopaedic and trauma

Journals

Journals of interest for trauma and orthopaedic nursing. Use these links to see details of availability.

• BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
• International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing
• Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research
• Journal of orthopaedics and traumatology
• Nursing Older People
• Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine
• Orthopaedic Nursing