Med-Surg Certification: Overview and FAQ
A med-surg certification is a credential that signifies a nurse’s expertise in caring for patients across various medical and surgical settings. If you’re a med-surg nurse looking to expand your knowledge, enhance your skills, or boost your earning potential, getting certified could be a great next step in your career journey.
In this article, we’ll explore what med-surg nursing certification is, why it’s important, and how it can benefit your professional growth.
What Is Med-Surg Certification?
Med-surg nursing certification is a specialized credential that’s awarded to registered nurses (RNs) who undergo advanced training in medical surgical settings and prove their ability to navigate complex clinical scenarios, perform specialty-specific interventions, and promote patient safety through evidence-based practices. In the U.S., there are two organizations issuing such certifications:
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA).
- The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), which is a subsidiary of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN).
These certification programs typically cover a broad range of topics relevant to medical and surgical nursing practice, including:
- Patient care management and nursing assessment.
- Physiological and pathophysiological processes.
- Pharmacological interventions.
- Interprofessional care, teamwork, and collaboration.
- Professional concepts and nursing ethics.
- Infection control and prevention.
- Patient education and health promotion.
Med-Surg Certification Requirements
Thinking about becoming a med-surg-certified nurse? Let’s dive into the essential steps:
1. Become a Nurse
You’ll start by completing prerequisites to get enrolled in either an associate or bachelor’s degree program. Next, you’ll take the national certification exam — the NCLEX-RN. If you pass, you can apply to your state board of nursing to become a licensed RN.
2. Choose the Certification
Select the certifications that align best with your career goals and aspirations. There are two options for you to consider:
- Medical-surgical nursing certification (MEDSURG-BC)
- Certified medical-surgical registered nurse (CMSRN)
3. Meet Eligibility Criteria
Next, you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements set by the certifying organization, which include:
- MEDSURG-BC
- Active RN license
- 2 years of full-time experience
- Proof of 2,000 hours of specialty clinical practice within the past 3 years
- Completion of 30 hours of continuing education in med-surg nursing within the past 3 years
- CMSRN
- Unencumbered RN license
- 2 years of full-time medical-surgical experience
- Proof of 2,000 practice hours within the past 3 years as a clinical nurse, manager, or educator
4. Prepare for the Exam
Once you’ve met the eligibility criteria, it’s time to get ready for the exam. You can study by enrolling in review courses, using study guides, practicing with sample tests, and reading exam manuals. Depending on whether you’re aiming for MSNCB or ANCC med-surg certification, different resources are available to help you pass your test.
5. Pay the Med-Surg Exam Fee
The med-surg certification cost varies based on the certifying body and study materials you choose to invest in. Certain employers might assist with these costs as part of their professional advancement offerings. Here’s the breakdown of fees:
- MEDSURG-BC: $395 for non-members, $295 for ANA members
- CMSRN: $394 for non-members, $267 for AMSN members
6. Pass the Exam
Wondering how many questions are on the med-surg certification test? Both exams include 150 questions, with 125 contributing to the candidate’s score and 25 that are experimental. You’ll have three hours to complete the test. Check with your certifying organization for other exam details.
7. Maintain the Certification
You’ll have to stay up to date with med-surg certification renewal requirements to maintain your credentials.
- MEDSURG-BC certification needs renewal every 5 years. You can apply for renewal up to 1 year before it expires. Requirements include completing 75 continuing education hours and at least one other professional development category outlined in the ANCC official handbook. You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee of $350 for non-members and $250 for ANA members.
- CMSRN certification is valid for 5 years. You can either take an exam or complete 90 continuing education hours to renew it. You’ll also need to show proof you practiced as a nurse and pay a renewal fee. For renewing with continuing education, fees are $303 for non-members and $193 for AMSN members. If you decide to recertify by the exam, you’ll need to pay the examination fee.
Frequently Asked Questions: Med-Surg Nursing Certification
Which med-surg certification is better: MEDSURG-BC vs. CMSRN?
Both ANCC and MSNCB certifications offer valuable recognition of expertise in medical-surgical nursing. Some nurses choose ANCC since it’s the main certification body for nurses in the U.S. and is a part of the renowned ANA. On the other hand, some nurses prefer MSNCB because it provides certification exclusively for medical-surgical nurses.
What’s the difference between CMSRN and RN-BC?
The General Nursing Practice-Board Certified (RN-BC) credential recognizes nurses’ expertise in general nursing practice, covering diverse healthcare settings and patient populations. Formerly offered by ANCC, it’s now available only for renewal. In contrast, CMSRN is a certification specifically designed for med-surg nurses.
How much does a med-surg nurse make?
The average annual salary for an RN in general medical and surgical hospitals is about $94,480. However, your salary can vary significantly depending on your experience, education, and work setting. Location is also a key factor — here are the highest paying states where nurses earn the most:
How long does it take to get med-surg certification?
The time to obtain med-surg RN certification varies depending on individual factors. Generally, nurses need at least two years of experience to qualify to sit for the exam. Additionally, it might take several months to prepare adequately and fulfill all requirements before becoming certified.
How hard is it to pass the exam?
The perception of the difficulty of passing the certification exams varies for each individual. Here are the pass scores:
- MEDSURG-BC: You need a minimum score of 350 out of 500 to pass. The pass rate for this examination is 81%.
- CMSRN: You’ll need to score 95, which is about 71% accuracy, to pass.
What happens if I fail the exam?
If you fail, you’ll get diagnostic info for each test area. Be sure to thoroughly review the information before you attempt to test again. Next, follow organization-specific steps to retake.
- ANCC:You can reapply after 60 days from the date you last tested and attempt to test again. You’ll be able to take the exam up to 3 times in any 12-month period.
- MSNCB: You can apply for the FailSafe program, which allows nurses to take the CMSRN exam twice within a 12-month period, while only paying for the first attempt.
What are the benefits of certification for my career?
Med-surg nursing certification is important for validating your expertise in delivering safe, high-quality patient care in accordance with the latest advances in the field. This credential can help you stand out from the competition as you search for med-surg nurse jobs. Additional benefits include:
- Job security: Certification shows dedication to the specialty, elevating your med-surg resume and cover letter making you stand out to potential employers.
- Professional growth: Certification can open doors to leadership, educational, and management roles for nurses.
- Higher earning potential: Certification may lead to increased salaries.
- Quality improvement: Certification promotes a culture of excellence in healthcare facilities, ensuring the highest level of care in facilities.
- Professional recognition: Certification can help you earn recognition from peers, colleagues, and managers for your specialized skills and knowledge.
What are the related certifications?
Interested in boosting your credibility even more? These certifications and courses can come in handy in med-surg settings:
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
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