Nurses provide many types of care to patients, ranging from routine care during wellness visits to emergency interventions following accidents or for acute illnesses. Some also provide hands-on care before and after surgical procedures.
For aspiring and current nurses who are interested in caring for patients during a time of particular vulnerability, the medical-surgical nursing position can be an excellent option. But what is a medical-surgical nurse? Learn more about this impactful profession, and find out how a nursing education can prepare you for long-term success as a medical-surgical nurse.
What Does a Medical-Surgical Nurse Do?
Medical-surgical nurses, also called med-surg nurses, provide care to patients who are preparing for, or recovering from, an operation. Med-surg nurses promote the safety, well-being, and comfort of their patients while also treating them for any complications that arise from the surgery, comorbidities, or other chronic health issues they have. Nurses in this specialty also monitor patients before and after a surgical procedure, alerting the attending surgeon to any significant change in their vital signs or overall condition.
What Is a Medical-Surgical Nurse’s Work Environment?
Most medical-surgical nurses work in hospitals and other large healthcare facilities, though some work in outpatient surgical centers, military facilities, and nursing homes. Their most common work environment is the med-surg unit, which is where patient intake occurs. Nurses in these units help their patients get ready for their surgical procedure, provide immediate assistance following the procedure, and ensure patients have the guidelines they need for a successful recovery once they go home.
Medical-Surgical Nurse Job Description
The responsibilities associated with this position can vary from facility to facility. However, a typical job description for a medical-surgical nurse might include the following duties:
Assessing, planning, and implementing care plans for patients who require surgery, all in consultation with doctors and other healthcare professionals
Providing direct bedside care to patients before and after an operation
Preparing, administering, and documenting patients’ medications
Starting patients’ IVs, inserting their catheters, and changing their surgical dressings
Monitoring patients’ vital signs and responding quickly to any adverse change
Collaborating with attending physicians on patients’ discharge plans
Answering questions from patients and their family members, and educating them about the patients’ recovery and aftercare
Medical-Surgical Nurse Education and Experience Requirements
Individuals interested in pursuing a medical-surgical nursing specialty need to gain the right set of skills and patient care competencies. This means seeking a robust education, getting licensed, and obtaining hands-on experience.
Undergraduate Degree
The first step for aspiring nurses is to earn an undergraduate degree. This may be an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A nursing degree program furnishes students with the foundational skills in patient intake and bedside care they will need to be a successful medical-surgical nurse.
Licensing
After completing their nursing program, individuals must take and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Once they pass the exam, they can become licensed as registered nurses through their state’s nursing board. Licensure is required for any kind of full-time nursing position.
Hands-On Experience
Nurses need to gain some experience in patient triage, intake, and surgical preparation procedures before they can be qualified for a full-time position as a medical-surgical nurse. This might mean completing a medical-surgical internship, or simply taking on a nursing shift that involves some time working with patients before and after their surgical procedures.
Certification
Medical-surgical certifications are not strictly required, but they can signify a nurse has achieved a high level of clinical acumen and patient care skills. Some of the most prestigious medical-surgical certifications are the certified medical-surgical registered nurse (CMSRN) designation and the medical-surgical nursing certification (MEDSURG-BC).
Required Skills
Through this pursuit of education and experience, aspiring med-surg nurses should focus on honing skills such as analytical thinking, communication, decision-making, and teamwork skills. All are essential for success as a medical-surgical nurse.
Job Outlook for Medical-Surgical Nurses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook for nurses is quite positive. The BLS projects 6% job growth for nurses between 2022 and 2032, which is higher than the average projected for all professions. This growth encompasses all nursing specialties, including med-surg.
Explore Your Future as a Medical-Surgical Nurse
Working with patients before and after their surgical procedures can be rewarding for any nurse. To prepare for long-term success as a medical-surgical nurse, start by pursuing a high-quality education. Learn more about the nursing school programs from Fortis which are designed to help students develop a wide set of nursing skills that are valuable in any nursing field.
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