What is a registered nurse med/surg and how to become one

Q: Can an RN be a surgical nurse?

Yes, an RN can be a surgical nurse. Surgical nurses, also called perioperative nurses, are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in surgical care. They work in hospital surgical departments, day-surgery units, clinics, or physician offices that perform invasive procedures. Surgical nurses generally work with health practitioners and technicians in pre-op and post-op areas, educating the patient and family members before and after surgery.

Q: How long does it take to become a med/surg nurse?

It takes approximately two to five years to become a med/surg nurse (perioperative nurse). The time it takes an individual depends on where they are in their nursing education or career.

Q: Should new nurses start in med/surg?

Yes, new nurses should start in med/surg. Upon graduation from university, most nurses are advised to seek their first job in med/surg. This is because it offers a setting to sharpen previously acquired skills while amassing new skills and knowledge. Starting in med/surg is typically the most natural, straightforward path to starting a career in nursing.

Q: What degree do you need to be a med/surg nurse?

To be a med/surg nurse, you will need either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing. However, typically the most hirable nurses have a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Q: What is the difference between RNs and NPs?

The difference between RNs and NPs is the scope of practice. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are given much more autonomy. Nurse practitioners and registered nurses (RNs) work closely with patients to monitor their health and care for acute and chronic illnesses.

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A registered nurse med/surg is a healthcare professional who provides care to adult patients with medical or surgical conditions. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Their responsibilities include assessing patient needs, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, coordinating care with other healthcare professionals, and educating patients and families about their conditions and treatments. They must also maintain accurate medical records and communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues.

What general advice would you give to a registered nurse med/surg?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScoreRegistered Nurse Med/SurgUS Average

Salary

6.6

Avg. Salary $84,812

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 9.14%

Black or African American 11.38%

Hispanic or Latino 8.89%

Unknown 4.25%

White 65.91%

Gender

female 89.07%

male 10.93%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a registered nurse med/surg?

Pros

Chance to form close relationships with patients and their families
High demand for med/surg nurses
Potential for career advancement and specialization
Competitive salary and benefits packages
Possibility for flexible scheduling and work arrangements

Cons

Physically and emotionally demanding job
Exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals
Potential for burnout and compassion fatigue
Limited autonomy depending on the workplace culture and policies
Risk of workplace injury due to lifting, moving patients or equipment, or other physical strain

Key steps to become a registered nurse med/surg

Explore registered nurse med/surg education requirements

Most common registered nurse med/surg degrees

Associate

46.1 %

Bachelor's

43.6 %

Diploma

4.7 %

Start to develop specific registered nurse med/surg skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	26.60%
BLS	16.28%
Acute Care	7.62%
Acls	5.79%
Direct Patient Care	2.69%

Complete relevant registered nurse med/surg training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New registered nurse med/surgs learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a registered nurse med/surg based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real registered nurse med/surg resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed registered nurse med/surg usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed registered nurse med/surg in most of states. 43 states require registered nurse med/surgs to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse

Gain additional registered nurse med/surg certifications

Registered nurse med/surg certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific registered nurse med/surg certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for registered nurse med/surgs include Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research registered nurse med/surg duties and responsibilities

Manage respiratory ventilator, EKG equipment, intravenous and oral medication, intravenous pump machine, and blood products transfusion.
Achieve telemetry and BLS certification.
Interact with professionalism and compassion to consistently achieve confidence in care.
Manage and care for medical-surgical ICU patients including neurology and plastic surgery patients.

Prepare your registered nurse med/surg resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your registered nurse med/surg resume.

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