Med-surg RNs are the Swiss Army knives of the nursing profession. As the name suggests, this unit covers patients with chronic conditions, those with more urgent needs, and those who are prepping for or recovering from surgery, and is usually one of the busiest in the hospital. In your average med-surg RN jobs, you do it all.
Since med-surg nursing covers such a wide range of experiences — you can go from wound care and pain management to catheter insertions to infection control in a very short time — it is often a recommended specialty for new grads to start out in.
RN med-surg jobs encourage nurses to sharpen their critical thinking skills along with the hard skills sets they have — which is why many RNs love this specialty and search for opportunities in full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem med-surg nursing. Luckily, IntelyCare has postings for all of these jobs and more. You can also explore related roles such as ER RN Jobs and OR RN jobs.
Med-Surg RN Education and Skills
To work in med-surg nursing, you’ll of course start out with your ADN or BSN from an accredited nursing program, pass the NCLEX, and become a licensed RN. Bear in mind that many of the larger hospitals with cutting-edge med-surg units may prefer to hire nurses with a BSN.
There are some certifications that will be expected in any med-surg job, such as basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). While not required, having a medical-surgical nursing certification (MEDSURG-BC) or becoming a certified medical-surgical registered nurse (CMSRN) can be useful and make you stand out during a job search.
In addition to hard skills, degrees, and certifications, med-surg nursing requires soft skills. Strong communication, cultural competency, and consistent empathy for patients are needed every day.
Resume and Cover Letter for Your Med-Surg RN Job
When you are looking for new opportunities in med-surg, you’ll want to be sure to stand out from the crowd. The best way to do that is to make sure your med-surg RN resume is up to date, free of errors, and displays your skills in a way that will catch the eye of employers.
For instance, if an employer you are interested in says they are looking for experience in “collaborating with physicians and healthcare professionals to create individualized care plans and coordinate patient care,” use that phrase when describing your experience.
Your cover letter can demonstrate your soft skills and the reasons you would be a great culture fit for this position. Use specifics to demonstrate what you’d bring to this particular position, not to describe your interest in landing any job.
Interviewing for Your Next Med-Surg RN Job
In the same way you meticulously prep a patient for surgery, you’ll want to prepare carefully for your interview. This is your opportunity to show your potential employer your listening skills and your ability to think on your feet in stressful situations. Just as in the hospital, the more you prep, the better the outcome often is.
Salary for Med-Surg RN Jobs
The average salary for a med-surg RN is around $108,125 per year. Your exact level of pay will depend on your experience level, care setting, employer, and location. Some of the top areas with the highest annual average salaries for RNs are:
For more information on which RN specialties have the highest salary ranges, take a look at all the openings on IntelyCare.
Find the Med-Surg RN Jobs in Your Area Now
Check out all the positions available on IntelyCare for med-surg RN opportunities near you. Want even more options? There is a full range of the latest RN jobs to choose from so you can find your perfect fit.