This study was conducted as a functional study, with an aim to produce a guide on plaster casting for new employees in two acute units. The study was carried out in co-operation with Pirkanmaa Health Care District. The study was made to be used to orientate a new employee to plaster casting with the help of the guide. The objectives of the study were to find out what kind of tools and materials are needed for plaster casting, how to do the most common castings and how nurses are supposed to help the patient.

Plaster treatment creates good conditions for ossification. Plaster casting is successful when materials and equipment are chosen correctly. Guidance of patients must also be of high quality. The theoretical part of the thesis focuses on the most common bone fractures and their healing process, casting materials and casting itself. Guidance of the patient and pain treatment also belongs to the matters concerned.

As an outcome a guide with a lot of illustrations was made. The illustrations are used to visualize plaster casting along with the theoretical part. The aim was to create the clearest possible picture of plaster casting. The guide will cover a shortboot plaster cast, dorsal wrist brace and gypsum. The thesis also covers guidance of patient and pain treatment.

Suggestion for development for the future would be producing video material to support the orientation guide. Suggestion for further research could be to examine how to to utilize the orientation guide.