What does a Medical-Surgical RN do?
Medical-Surgical RNs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics. They’re typically involved in patient care from beginning to end. The Med-Surg RN handles the admission process and conducts the initial assessment. After a Physician creates a care plan, the RN carries out the necessary monitoring, testing and treatments. Throughout the process, they document patients’ vitals, symptoms and progress.
Medical-Surgical Nurses also play a key communication role. They often coordinate care with different members of the patient’s medical team, including Physicians, Surgeons and Specialists. Depending on the situation, they may be responsible for educating and providing emotional support to patients and family members.
Medical-Surgical RN skills and qualifications
The medical-surgical field is one of the largest in nursing. Common skills and qualifications for a Medical-Surgical RN include:
- Assessing patient condition and noting it accurately according to the facility’s charting practices
- Safely administering medication based on medical orders
- Compassionately communicating with patients and family members
- Operating common medical equipment in accordance with care plans and manufacturer’s instructions
- Running or ordering diagnostic tests
- Paying attention to detail and staying organized when managing patient care and recordkeeping
- Understanding applicable state regulations and following compliance practices
Medical-Surgical RN experience requirements
The Medical-Surgical RN field is open to Nurses with all levels of experience. Because this position involves a range of responsibilities, many Nurses look for med-surg positions to gain experience. Entry-level jobs may not require any experience. More senior roles, including Medical-Surgical RN Care Managers and Medical-Surgical Supervisors, may require experience in med-surg nursing or critical care.
Specialized Medical-Surgical RN positions typically require experience and certifications. Examples include telemetry, surgical care, triage, clinical documentation improvement and post-acute care.
Medical-Surgical RN education and training requirements
Medical-Surgical RN careers require a nursing degree from an accredited institution and a current registered nursing license in the state of employment. Healthcare facilities also typically require Nurses to have a current basic life support (BLS) certification. Depending on the position and the age range of patients, Med-Surg Nurses may also need advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS) and/or neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) certifications. Some facilities request the certifications at the time of application, while others ask new Nurses to become certified within 6-12 months of the hire date.
Medical-Surgical RN salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Medical-Surgical RN is $139,964 per year. The exact salary may vary based on the employer, location and a candidate’s years of experience.
Medical-Surgical RN salary expectations
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Common salary:
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Typical salaries range from
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Medical-Surgical RN job description FAQs
What is the difference between a Medical-Surgical RN and a Registered Nurse?
A Registered Nurse (RN) has passed the NCLEX-RN exam, while Medical-Surgical RNs are Registered Nurses who works in the medical-surgical specialty. Registered Nurses may also work in other specialties, such as critical care or long-term care.
Who does a Medical-Surgical RN report to?
The exact reporting structure depends on the employer, but Medical-Surgical RNs usually report to a Nurse Manager or Nurse Supervisor. In some facilities, RNs might report to a Nurse Practitioner. Many Med-Surg Nurses are also accountable to Physicians, Surgeons and Specialists, although they’re not usually direct reports.
What are the day-to-day duties of a Medical-Surgical RN?
Daily duties of a Medical-Surgical RN depend on patient needs, but typically include updating Nurses on other shifts, charting, assessing progress, passing medications and communicating directly with patients. In a surgical center, Med-Surg RNs often prep patients for surgery and assist with recovery. They may also change dressings, run codes and respond to bed alarms.
What qualities make a good Medical-Surgical RN?
Good Medical-Surgical RNs should be organized and detail-oriented to manage the needs of multiple patients at the same time. Patient conditions can change rapidly, so Nurses need to be able to stay calm and focused in emergency situations and fast-paced environments. Other key qualities include compassion, empathy and a friendly bedside manner.
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