1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
Medical-surgical registered nurses provide care to patients who are recovering from surgeries. They perform patient care efficiently and effectively through quality practices and communication with patients and other staff. They also coordinate care plans for patients and consult with other members of their teams to ensure the best outcomes possible for their patients.
Medical-surgical RNs work independently under the supervision of a charge nurse to implement care goals for patients and professional goals for themselves. To do this, they're expected to completely assess their patients on a regular basis, prioritize patient care, and determine appropriate interventions for their patients, as well as to grow their skills through training and certifications.
The Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) certification is available to medical-surgical nurses after about two years of employment. Usually an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) is required for medical-surgical nurse positions, but a bachelor's degree is preferred.
Medical-surgical nurses earn an average of $38.75 per hour, which is $79,968 per year. Their yearly salaries typically range between $54,000 and $117,000, though. The career is projected to grow by 12% over the next few years, producing 371,600 new jobs.
