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Medical Surgical Nurse - Career Profile |
Career OverviewMedical surgical nurses are important in the recovery and treatment of patients that are in a variety of treatment facilities including hospitals, clinics, residential treatment facilities and even in homes.
Not only do medical surgical nurses work with patients after surgery or illness they often work as part of the healthcare team prior to the procedure or treatment. The nurses are the delivery system for the treatment plan determined by the team.
Medical surgical nurses work independently and are required to make decisions regarding basic care, monitor patient progress and report back to the team as well as responding to patients needs and providing education to patients and their families before, during and after surgery, illness or recovery.
Medical surgical nurses are involved in all aspects of patient care including:
- Discharge planning
- Case management
- Increasing patient physical health
- Monitoring clients psychological adjustments
- Pain management after surgery
- Chronic pain management
- Patient education regarding conditions
Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential for a medical surgical nurse. They must also be able to follow and respond to patient and medical staff requests for information, data collection, and treatment possibilities. The medical surgical nurse is also key in helping patients understand any complications or problems that may occur after their surgery or medical condition.
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Career RequirementsA medical surgical nurse must be a licensure as an active Registered Nurse (RN) as well as have specialized training in surgical and medical procedures. Since often there is a large component of the career that deals with the treatment of conditions by pharmaceuticals it is important for the medical surgical nurse to be able to identify any complications or contraindications to continued use of recovery procedures or medications.
Medical surgical nurses are also certified by the following agency:
American Nurses Credentialing Center
600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 100 West
Washington, D.C. 20024-2571
(800) 284-2378
The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board in the United States sets the standards and monitors the exams that are required to be considered for the distinction of Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN).
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Job OutlookThe job outlook for medical surgical nurses can be described as outstanding. It is estimated that there is approximately a 13% vacancy rate for posted nursing positions in Virginia, with just under 5% of those being medical surgical nurses. The survey was conducted by the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, but reflects the growing trend across the country.
In addition to the deficit in nurses now on staff there is the growing population of patients at hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other healthcare facilities. As the population increases there will be a continued demand for more nurses training in medical treatment of patients as well as surgical procedures.
In addition the patients that are admitted to hospitals tend to be in more acute conditions than they were several years ago as more moderate conditions are now being treated as out patients. This means that the populations in hospitals and treatment facilities require more specialized care and medical surgical nurses are in high demand to provide these services.
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Career TrackA medical surgical nurse is both the foundation and the specialty area that all other nursing practices are built upon. Most medical surgical nurses choose to continue on with their education to be Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse. Once this certification is obtained there are several additional specialty areas that CMSRMs can proceed to work in. This specialization can include:
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Geriatric care
- Pediatric nursing
- Nursing management
- Research
- Research assistant
- Nurse Practitioner (recognized in some States)
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CompensationStarting wages for medical surgical nurses can range between $900.00 and $1200.00 per week depending on experience, hospital or treatment facility location and type of medical surgical nursing job.
An experienced medical surgical nurse can earn a base rate of $52,000.00 per year with a bonus that varies between three and eight percent of yearly salary. A medical surgical nursing manager can often make significantly higher amounts than an experienced medical surgical nurse with a salary around $90,000.00 plus additional bonus.
Often medical surgical nurses work most rotations in the hospital with evening and weekend shifts. Nurses that work in clinics or with outpatients in homes may have standard working hours or may only work contract jobs with specific types of patients.
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