Medical Surgical Nursing

Your Medical Surgical Nursing Career.

Looking for your next nursing job? Medical surgical nursing is a high-demand nursing specialty across the country. We’re staffing nurses nationwide for local, travel, temp, and per diem med/surg nurse job opportunities. Discover the next step in your career with CareerStaff.

What is Medical Surgical Nursing?

med surg nurse taking care of patient in hospital bed

Medical surgical nurses — also called med/surg nurses — traditionally work in hospitals, clinics, physician practices, or similar settings. These nurses also work in skilled nursing facilities and post-acute care centers, as well as non-traditional settings like home health and telemedicine. Med/surg nurses are among the most in-demand nursing professionals in the United States.

  • Help patients prepare for and recover from surgery
  • Record patient vital signs, monitor equipment, and interpret the data
  • Provide bedside care like managing IVs, changing dressings, recording vitals, and administering any prescribed medications

Medical Surgical Nursing F.A.Q.

med/surg nurse wearing mask and stethoscope
What skills are commonly needed for medical surgical nursing?

Because med/surg nurses care for patients undergoing various types of surgical procedures with various conditions, a good range of clinical knowledge is essential.

Med/Surg nurses help to coordinate pre and post-surgical care, and may also be required to lead a team of interprofessional caregivers. That means developing organization, communication, coordination, planning, and leadership skills is key.

How do you become a medical surgical nurse?

Most medical/surgical nurses are registered nurses (RNs). To be an RN, a nurse must have graduated from an accredited nursing program and have a current nursing license that’s in good standing with the issuing state. Specific certifications may be required for specific med/surg nursing jobs, such as basic life support (BLS) certification.

What experience is often required to be a medical surgical nurse?

Many of the med/surg nursing career opportunities require experience of at least a year. However, given the immense demand for these nurses, some employers may hire nurses with less experience, making medical/surgical nursing a good starting job for RNs.

What is the average medical surgical nurse salary?

According to Salary.com, the average med/surg nurse salary in the U.S. is $100,091 in 2022. This figure is a national average and a med/surg salary could be more or less depending on the state. For example, a higher salary may be available for certain travel jobs in high-demand areas.

You can see what kind of med/surg nurse salaries are available now by browsing available med/surg nursing jobs here.

Your Setting. Your Next Nursing Job.

Female healthcare worker putting on a mask and wearing scrubs
Healthcare worker hands at computer with covid-19 data and stethoscope on table

Take Your Career to New Places with a Travel Nursing Assignment

Nurses who are open to travel jobs can choose from assignments across the United States! At CareerStaff, we offer our travelers opportunities from coast to coast, along with great benefits including stipends for housing and travel. Learn more about traveling with CareerStaff here.