What does a medical/surgical nurse do?
Medical/surgical nurses support surgeons and primary care physicians by looking after patients’ needs before and after surgery, informing them about their procedures and administering medications and other treatments as prescribed by a doctor. They often work in hospitals or skilled nursing homes, where they have daily, hands-on contact with adult patients.
Some medical/surgical nurses visit patients at their homes, either to consult with them about an upcoming surgery or provide post-op services, such as wound care. Typical job duties for medical/surgical nurses include administering prescribed medications, changing dressings and answering patients’ questions about their care. Medical/surgical nurses are also sometimes called on to update patients’ charts and communicate patients’ needs to the doctor in charge of their care.
Medical/surgical nurse skills and qualifications
To be successful in medical/surgical nurse careers, a wide variety of skills are necessary, from the very technical to the deeply personal. Qualified medical/surgical nurses should also have several job-specific skills and certifications:
- Strong organizational abilities and good communication skills
- High-level interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with patients during stressful experiences
- A valid nursing certificate or BSN degree from an accredited college or university
- The appropriate license to work in their state/county
- Current vaccinations and a lack of communicable diseases that might endanger patients with compromised immune systems
- Fluency in patients’ language(s)
Medical/surgical nurse experience requirements
Most hospitals and outpatient surgery clinics look for medical/surgical nurses with several years of patient care experience. Postoperative care facilities, such as skilled nursing homes, may be willing to hire entry-level medical/surgical nurses to work under the supervision of a more experienced nurse manager. Many current medical/surgical nurses have experience in licensed vocational nursing or as certified nurse assistants.
Medical/surgical nurse education and training requirements
The basic level of education required of a medical/surgical nurse is a valid certificate of training in registered nursing from an accredited training program. It’s very common for hospitals and care facilities to require entry-level applicants to also possess a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing (BSN).
Every state has a licensing requirement for registered nurses, and many counties require working medical/surgical nurses to hold a health practitioners’ card issued under the authority of the county medical officer. Nurses are also generally expected to maintain current professional CPR/AED certification from the American Heart Association.
Nurse managers can be medical/surgical nurses with advanced positions and responsibilities. In addition to meeting all the education and certification requirements of entry-level nurses, nurse managers frequently have master’s degrees in nursing, as well as additional training in either communications or business administration.
Medical/surgical nurse salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a medical/surgical nurse in the United States is $128,148 per year. This average varies according to where they live, the type of facility they work at and how much experience they have in the field. Overtime is frequently available for medical/surgical nurses, which may add an average of $11,250 to their base salary.
Medical/surgical nurse salary expectations
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Common salary:
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Typical salaries range from
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Medical/surgical nurse job description FAQs
What is the difference between a medical/surgical nurse and other types of nurses?
Medical/surgical nurses focus primarily on adult patients undergoing surgery. Other types of nurses work with children, in an emergency department or intensive care unit or in administrative roles away from patient care duties.
Does a medical/surgical nurse have management responsibilities?
Entry-level medical/surgical nurses work under the supervision of a charge nurse or a nurse manager, and they don’t typically manage other nurses themselves. Some nurses in this role do have the authority to direct nursing aides or medical technicians in hands-on patient care.
What kind of hours do medical/surgical nurses work?
Medical/surgical nurses frequently work odd hours and overtime. Their schedules are primarily determined by the needs of the patients, although hospitals and facilities may have their own schedule systems. Nurses who do mainly management or administrative work are likely to keep regular business hours.
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