Travel Med Surg Nurse Jobs

The agencies on Vivian that currently have the most Med Surg jobs are TotalMed Staffing (655), Host Healthcare (621), and OneStaff Medical (564).

Medical-surgical Nursing, also known as ‘med-surg’, is a nursing specialty that makes up the foundation of nursing. In fact, many sub-specialties of nursing require that you have prior med-surg experience. Med-surg nurses are responsible for taking care of patients with acute medical issues, as well as those requiring surgical intervention, however, the med-surg umbrella term can often apply to any nurse not working in a specific specialty.

Med-surg nurses monitor their patients for acute changes in physical condition, vitals signs, or lab values. These nurses prioritize patient safety, educate patients and families, mobilize patients, and monitor and administer a patient’s medication regimen. Med-surg nurses also need to know how to delegate tasks to ancillary staff, as well as chart accurate and complete documentation for their patients.

Med-surg RNs can be found in acute and sub-acute settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. As a med-surg travel nurse, you are expected to work in a variety of settings with similar acuity levels. Med-surg nurses can work on general hospital floors like neuro, trauma, general surgery, oncology, cardiac, and many other areas of care. These nurses are working in a specialty, but are considered med-surg unless there is special monitoring or technology that requires additional training or certification.

To become a med-surg travel nurse, you need at least 1.5 to 2 years of experience in the setting you wish to work. You must have at least an Associates Degree in Nursing, and have graduated from an accredited nursing school with subsequent passing of the NCLEX or equivalent (if you were trained abroad, requirements vary by state). Med-surg nurses are required to have their Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Nurses are advised to get their Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) before traveling, but it is not always a requirement.

According to BLS data, the median annual wage for a med-surg RN was $73,300. Employment is expected to grow by 12 percent through 2028, which is exponentially faster than the average rate of growth for all other occupations (five percent). Demand is expected to increase due to an aging population, and greater need for nursing staff in care centers like hospitals, chemotherapy clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and in peri-op arenas.

Medical Surgical nurses commonly hold BLS - Basic Life Support or ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support among others.