Understanding the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses Fellowship Process: From Candidacy to Lifelong...

Professional development in nursing is a progressive path that begins with membership engagement in nursing organizations followed by the attainment of specialty certifications through clinical preparation and examination. The Fellow designation from a professional nursing organization is a culmination of continuous service, commitment, and meaningful contributions to the organization and to the associated specialty. The Fellow designation is the most distinguished and highest level of membership in an organization, recognizing professional leaders who have considerably contributed to their field and achieved notable accomplishments. The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) established the designation and the conferred credential, Fellow of NAON (FNAON) in 2022 to recognize nurses who have made significant contributions to orthopaedic nursing. The purpose of this article is to support future candidates in their journey toward fellow designation and navigating the associated application process.