It can help you stand out among other applicants and could set you up to be considered for higher-level roles. Certification is a great way to show employers that you have the skills, knowledge, and dedication it takes to succeed in your career. There are no required certifications for med-surg nurses, but that doesn’t mean pursuing certification isn’t a good idea. Plus, you’ll need to be enrolled in an accredited program if you’re planning to apply for federal student aid. It also means your credits will transfer to other accredited schools if you ever decide to go back to school and advance your education. Accreditation shows that a school and program meet all state requirements and will give you the education you need. Other schools might have a great reputation in your local community or offer career placement assistance.Īny school you choose should be accredited. For instance, some schools work closely with local hospitals or health systems and can prepare their graduates for roles in those facilities. You can take time to find a program that aligns with your career goals. Having so many options means you can choose the educational program that’s best for your budget and lifestyle. You can find nursing programs at accredited colleges and universities all over the country. “The variety that med-surg offers is the challenge, but it’s also the reward because we get to see patients in a multitude of aspects and for multiple reasons,” says Alissa Brown, BSN, MSN, RN, a clinical nurse educator with University of Utah Health and co-host of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ Med-Surg Moments podcast. They’re responsible for administering medication, performing treatments, monitoring patient vital signs, communicating with doctors and family members, as well as ensuring patients receive safe and appropriate care during their stay. Med-surg nurses need to know how to provide care for patients in any number of situations. Patients who have already been seen in the emergency department or who are recovering from an operation will stay on a med-surg floor as well. That means that all patients who aren’t staying in units such as the intensive care unit (ICU), cardiac care unit (CCU), or any other specialized units will be cared for by med-surg nurses. Patients stay on the med-surg floor when they have any medical concern that needs hospital-level monitoring but not specialized care. Med-surg nursing can be a great fit if you don’t want to be limited to a specific type of care. In fact, so many registered nurses (RNs) work as med-surg nurses that the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) calls med-surg nursing the largest nursing specialty in the country. It also means hospitals have a lot of med-surg nursing jobs to fill. That means that almost everyone who is admitted to a hospital will be cared for by a med-surg nurse at some point during their stay. They monitor and care for patients recovering from surgery, serious illness, an emergency-department stay, or patients who don’t need specialized care. Med-surg nurses work in the general units, known as med-surg units, in hospitals. Median annual salary: $77,600 What Is a Medical-Surgical Nurse? Earning a certification and/or advancing your education to become an APRN could help move you into a leadership or management role. Opportunities if you pursue a higher degree or certification: After gaining some experience, med-surg nurses can earn the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) from the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB). If you enjoy doing a little bit of everything, remaining as a med-surge nurse could be the perfect fit for you. Job perks: Med-surg nurses aren’t confined to one speciality, which can make the job a great jumping off point to explore and pursue other specialties once you have gained some experience. Med-surg nurses must be able to thrive in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable environment. Who it’s a good fit for: Med-surg nurses require a level of flexibility to adapt to the many different types of patients that they will treat. Minimum degree required: ASN or BSN, though many employers (especially hospitals) prefer or require nurses to have a BSN or higher. Med-surg nurses, therefore, treat patients with a variety of ailments and are not limited to one type of care. What you’ll do: Provide care to hospital patients that aren’t in any specialized unit. Where you’ll work: Hospitals and medical-surgical units, outpatient care centers, inpatient specialty clinics, urgent care centers, home health, skilled nursing facilities, correctional facilities and governmental agencies.
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