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They don’t see patients at other times during their hospital stay, and they don’t provide care to patients who aren’t having surgery. Some OR nurses also provide care immediately before or after the operation. They provide nursing care during the operation itself. The patients nurses see in these units are sometimes recovering from operations (but not always.) Med-surg units also treat patients who need care for an illness, infection, or injury. Med-surg nurses provide care to a wide range of patients on a med-surg hospital floor or unit. Both are accredited and can potentially boost your career.Īlthough the names may lead you to believe these roles are the same, they are in fact very different. The ANCC also requires 30 hours of continuing education related to med-surg nursing within the past three years.

At least 2,000 hours of experience working as a med-surg nurse in the past three years.

At least two years of full-time RN experience.

To earn either certification you’ll need: 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). 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.

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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.