Are you looking for a career in the medical field that allows you to wear many hats, assist in the treatment of patients, and work alongside doctors and other medical professionals? If so, a job as a medical-surgical nurse could be exactly what you’re looking for.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about becoming a medical-surgical nurse, including what they are, their job responsibilities, and requirements needed to become one.
What is Medical-Surgical Nursing?
Medical-surgical nursing is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on providing comprehensive care to patients suffering from a variety of medical conditions or those undergoing surgical procedures. As the requirements for each patient can vary depending on their particular situation, the daily role can change to meet different patients’ needs. However, it typically includes patient assessment, care planning, medication administration, wound care, and post-operation management. Medical-surgical nurses work with various healthcare professionals, provide education to patients and families, and monitor patient progress, making adjustments to care when needed.
What Does a Medical-Surgical Nurse Do?
The duties of medical-surgical nurses can vary depending on the needs of the patient whom they are treating. However, some common responsibilities for the role include:
- Administering medications and treatments
- Updating and maintaining patient records
- Assessing patient care plans
- Monitoring vital signs
- Adjusting medical equipment as required
Requirements to Become a Medical-Surgical Nurse
In order to be considered for a role as medical-surgical, you are at least required to have your associate’s degree in nursing, which takes around two years to complete. You must also have an additional two years of nursing experience.
While not a requirement, medical-surgical nurses should also consider obtaining a Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse (CMSRN) certification. A CMSRN can help medical-surgical nurses stand out in the job market and increase their salary.
If a position as a medical-surgical nurse sounds like something you’re interested in pursuing, take a look at our medical-surgical nurse jobs page to find out more about opportunities in your area.