What Is a Med-Surg Nurse & How to Become One

Med-surg nursing can be a great fit if you don’t want to be limited to a specific type of care. Patients stay on the med-surg floor when they have any medical concern that needs hospital-level monitoring but not specialized care. 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 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.

Med-surg nurses need to know how to provide care for patients in any number of situations. 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.

“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.

You can find nursing programs at accredited colleges and universities all over the country. Options for nursing education include:

• Full-time programs
• Part-time programs
• Two-year programs
• Four-year programs
• On-campus programs
• Online programs
• Hybrid programs

Having so many options means you can choose the educational program that’s best for your budget and lifestyle. You can take time to find a program that aligns with your career goals. For instance, some schools work closely with local hospitals or health systems and can prepare their graduates for roles in those facilities. Other schools might have a great reputation in your local community or offer career placement assistance.

Any school you choose should be accredited. Accreditation shows that a school and program meet all state requirements and will give you the education you need. It also means your credits will transfer to other accredited schools if you ever decide to go back to school and advance your education. Plus, you’ll need to be enrolled in an accredited program if you’re planning to apply for federal student aid.

Registered nurses looking to work as med-surg nurses can choose from two degree paths:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): ADNs take two years to complete and are offered by community colleges and trade schools. They’re a great option if you want to jump into your med-surg nursing career quickly.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): BSNs take four years to complete and are offered by traditional colleges and universities. They’re a great idea if you want an advanced education and the ability to apply for higher-level RN roles.

It’s not uncommon for nurses with an ADN to be hired in a med-surg unit as new nursing graduates. However, some employers do require a BSN for any nursing role. Either degree allows you to earn RN licensure in every state. 

The exact requirements for program admission will depend on the school you choose. Some schools might have their own exams or entrance prerequisites for nursing students. No matter what school you choose, you can count on needing your high school diploma or GED before you begin. Other standard requirements include:

• Completion of math and science courses at least a high school level
• Solid grades in any prior education
• SATS, ACTs, or an admissions exam
• An essay
• An admissions interview
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers
• A criminal background check

You’ll need to meet some standard requirements no matter what school or degree path you chose. Although your overall education might be different in a BSN program than in an ADN program, the nursing courses you’ll take will need to cover the same material. You’ll take core nursing classes that will prepare you for licensing and your nursing career. These classes will cover essential topics such as nursing practice, patient assessment, and nursing ethics. You’ll also need to complete a set number of clinical hours at a local hospital or healthcare facility. These hours allow you to gain the supervised experience you’ll need to work as a med-surg nurse. 

All nurses need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) before they can earn licensure. The NCLEX-RN tests your knowledge of the topics you covered in your nursing program. It makes sure you’ve mastered medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology, and other important nursing subjects. The exam takes about five hours to complete and is computer-based. Your results will be sent to your state’s board of nursing.

You’ll be eligible for RN licensure once you’ve completed your education and passed the NCLEX-RN. Each state’s board of nursing sets its own requirements for licensure. Generally, you’ll need to send information about your education along with a criminal background check and FBI fingerprinting to your state’s board. Additional requirements might include a recent photograph, current CPR certification, and letters of recommendation. 

You generally won’t need prior nursing experience before you can take on a med-surg nursing role. Many roles in this specialty are entry-level and are perfect fits for new nursing school graduates. Once you gain some experience, however, you may be able to consider leadership roles. It can help you feel more confident in your role as a med-surg nurse and help you provide better patient care. Brown says it can take time and experience to master the knowledge you’ll need as a med-surg nurse.

“You could see anything on a med-surg floor,” Brown says. “It literally is medical or surgical. So you need to give yourself permission to take the time to learn what your patient population is going to look like in your place of practice and allow yourself the time to develop those skills and become the expert in those patient populations.”

There are no required certifications for med-surg nurses, but that doesn’t mean pursuing certification isn’t a good idea. Certification is a great way to show employers that you have the skills, knowledge, and dedication it takes to succeed in your career. It can help you stand out among other applicants and could set you up to be considered for higher-level roles.

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).

To earn either certification you’ll need:
• An active RN license
• At least two years of full-time RN experience
• At least 2,000 hours of experience working as a med-surg nurse in the past three years

The ANCC also requires 30 hours of continuing education related to med-surg nursing within the past three years. The two certifications are very similar. Both are accredited and can potentially boost your career.

You’ll need to ensure your RN license is active and in good standing to keep working as a med-surg nurse. Each state has its own requirements for RN license renewal.

Generally, renewal is required every two to three years and requires:

• A renewal fee
• Proof you’ve worked the minimum number of hours as an RN set by your state
• Proof you’ve taken at least your state’s minimum number of continuing education hours for renewal.

Advancing your education is one of the best ways to boost your nursing career. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree may allow you to work as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). As an APRN, you can take on more responsibilities and potentially move into leadership roles.

If you want to stay in med-surg nursing after you become an APRN, you can look into nurse practitioner (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) roles. As an NP, you could provide advanced care by assessing, diagnosing, and prescribing treatment to med-surg patients. As a CNS, you could lead the med-surg nursing team at a hospital, ensuring every RN on staff has the education, skills, and support they needed to provide the best patient care.