Medical-Surgical Travel Nursing Career Guide

Champions of organization, quick thinking, and prioritization

According to the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, or AMSN, “Medical-surgical nursing is the single largest nursing specialty in the United States and beyond.” It’s an incredibly fast-paced nursing discipline, and no two shifts are ever alike.

Here at Nomad, we work with traveling medical-surgical nurses all over the country, and help them find assignments in facilities and cities that excite them.

What is a Med-Surg Travel Nurse?

Medical-surgical travel nurses (also known as traveling med-surg nurses) are traveling nurses who provide care to adult and older adult patients with any number of acute medical conditions, or those who are preparing for or recovering from surgery. The range of care that traveling med surg nurses provide can be categorized into two different phases of perioperative nursing: preoperative (before surgery) and postoperative (after surgery). 

The acuity of patients that traveling med-surg nurses care for has increased over the years primarily due to increasing age, comorbid conditions, and complications from COVID-19. As a result, these patients require close monitoring to promptly assess acute changes in patient condition and escalate early warning signs of patient deterioration.

Within the field of med-surg nursing, there are different types of subspecialties, including but not limited to: general surgery, cardiac, orthopedics, gynecology, and thoracic. Medical-surgical nursing is a huge field with a lot of room for career growth and specialization, making it a popular choice for travel nurses.

How Do You Become a Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse?

Earn a College Degree in Nursing

Aspiring medical-surgical travel nurses can start by earning their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which is the minimum requirement to become a practicing nurse and takes about two years to complete.

Nursing students, or practicing nurses, can also go on to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which opens them up to broader disciplines and potentially higher compensation than with an ADN, and takes about four years to complete. Some hospitals require a BSN over an ADN, so make sure to do some research on the facilities you wish to work at.

Pass the NCLEX

Next, future med-surg travel nurses have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX - RN). All nurses, traveling and non-traveling, are required to take and pass this exam. 

Work for at Least Two Years as an RN

The next step to become a traveling med surg nurse is to work as a registered nurse (RN) for two years, or get 2,000 hours of experience as a med-surg nurse. This particular requirement has a bit of flexibility; some healthcare facilities are looking for RNs with at least one year of medical-surgical experience, while some facilities may require two or more years of nursing experience with medical-surgical experience in the past three years. Medical-surgical nursing is often regarded as a solid foundation in a travel nurse's career, primarily due to the range of experiences an RN stands to gain and the opportunity to develop time management and prioritization skills.

Consider Additional Nursing Certifications

There are several optional certifications medical-surgical nurses can pursue if they want to travel, which will likely result in higher compensation. These respected certifications demonstrate commitment to the profession and knowledge in a specialty area. Nurses can go after their Medical Surgical Nursing Certification (RN-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) accreditation from Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB). In addition to these certifications, medical-surgical travel nurses may also have the following: Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), National Institute of Health, Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Get Licensed for the States You Want to Work In

Remember: To practice medical surgical nursing, RNs must have a valid, active state license in the state in which they are planning to work. This is especially important for traveling nurses who might practice in more than one state. One way travel nurses can have multiple licenses without actually having to procure individual licenses is the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This compact license allows traveling nurses to work in their state and all compact states. For a compact license to be valid, the traveling med-surg nurse must have a permanent residence in a compact state.

Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse Roles and Responsibilities

The core responsibilities of medical surgical travel nurses are focused on the delivery of safe, patient-centered care. Care is based on the nursing process, a systematic approach and foundational framework. According to the American Nurses Association, there are five elements to the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. A traveling med-surg professional is trained and ready to provide top-notch care within these parameters.

Assessing Patients

The first step of the nursing process involves critical thinking skills and subjective and objective data collection. This could include: identifying alterations from baseline assessment, conducting risk assessments using evidence-based tools (ex: falls, pressure injury CIWA-Ar, Confusion Assessment Method), reviewing diagnostic test results and reporting abnormal findings to the provider, and prioritizing care among assigned patients.

Diagnosis Formulation

Next, med-surg travel nurses formulate nursing diagnosis(es) by using clinical judgment to assist in the planning and delivery of patient care. You anticipate potential complications and prepare accordingly (ex: patient with seizures at risk for aspiration, ensure suction is set up and ready at the beginning of the shift). Med-surg travel nurses may also play an active role in planning goals and outcomes with patients and/or their family members, ensuring they are in line with evidence-based care.

Implementation

After planning comes implementation, which includes a tailored care plan(s) that’s in alignment with the medical plan, and takes into consideration the patient’s unique needs. Traveling med-surg nurses advocate for the patient, administer medications and evaluate the patient’s intended vs. unintended response(s), and communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team. During this phase, med-surg nurses may admit patients, conduct transfers, or discharge patients home or to facilities, and lead and participate in bedside shift report(s). 

There may be times when nurses change patient dressings and wound care, and times where they  operate equipment (such as IV’s, feeding tubes, catheters, and oxygen tanks. Traveling med-surg nurses will educate patients and families on acute and chronic conditions, surgeries, medications, tests, potential complications, diet, injection administration, infection prevention, and discharge teaching. There will be shifts that require travel nurses to participate in emergency, life saving care, and others that involve end-of-life care.

Patient Evaluation and Reassessment

Finally, a traveling med-surg nurse might evaluate or reassess the patient's response to the care provided to determine if the desired outcome has been met. They will update plans based upon their patients’ overall condition or response, escalate concerns using nursing and medical chains of command, and document care provided.

Where do Traveling Medical-Surgical Nurses Work?

Med-surg units are in hospitals, but traveling med-surg nurses might be able to manage the variety of patient care needs in different settings, including: hospitals, outpatient settings, homes, and clinics. The typical length of time for medical-surgical travel nurse jobs is 13 weeks, although it depends on the facility. Additionally, there are frequent opportunities to extend contracts. The typical shift for a medical-surgical travel nurse is anywhere from eight to 12 hours.

Why Are Patients Admitted to a Medical Surgical Unit?

The following are examples of specific illnesses and/or conditions within the various systems which cause patients to be admitted in med-surg units.

• Neurological - Delirium, Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizures, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis

• Ear, Nose, Throat - Vertigo, Laryngitis, Epistaxis

• Respiratory - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pneumonia, Pneumothorax, Pulmonary Embolism

• Cardiac - Congestive Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation, Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Attack, Cardiomyopathy, Pericarditis

• Gastrointestinal - Colitis, Diverticulitis, Appendectomy, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Pancreatitis, Cholititiasis 

• Genitourinary / Renal - Urinary tract infection (UTI), Pyelonephritis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Acute Renal Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease, End Stage Renal Disease 

• Endocrine - Diabetes Mellitus, Hypo/hyperthyroidism, Cushings’ disease

• Peripheral Vascular - Peripheral Vascular Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy

• Integumentary - Pressure injuries, Cellulitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

• Musculoskeletal / Orthopedic - Hip/knee fractures, dislocations, replacement surgery, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spinal Fusion, 

• Psychosocial - Alcohol / drug withdrawal, Suicide/Homocidal Ideation, Depression, Anxiety, 

• Other common reasons for Med/Surg hospitalization - Prostatectomy, Bariatric surgery, Sepsis, Dehydration, Electrolyte Imbalance, Falls

Medical-Surgical Travel Nursing Jobs with Nomad

At Nomad, we want to help our travel nurses grow their careers in ways that are meaningful to them. Due to its broad range of care, becoming a med-surg travel nurse is a great way to gain a lot of diverse medical experience, and we have a lot of experience working with them.

Our med-surg travel nurse jobs have a weekly pay package that ranges anywhere from $1,730 to $3,756 per week, which is an earning potential of roughly $48,828 for a 13-week assignment. Keep in mind that these numbers vary by state and facility type, but you can always access upfront salary information on our job boards.

Nomad is proud to offer our travel med-surg nurses a robust benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to) the following: medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with employer match after a year, malpractice insurance, travel reimbursement, stipend for housing and utilities, state license and certification reimbursement, and direct deposit payroll.

Want to Learn More about Med-Surg Travel Nursing?

The healthcare industry is always changing, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends, requirements, and best practices. Med-Surg Nurse Life Magazine is a publication by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, and is described as a “lifestyle magazine with editorial, interviews, first-person stories, product reviews, events, fun snippets and lists, etc. for med-surg nurses to enjoy in their leisure time,” according to their website. Other great resources for traveling med-surg nurses include the American Nurses Association, Institute for Safe Medication Practices, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Healthcare Resources

• 25, A., & Logacho, D. (n.d.). 5 things to know about surgical nursing. Chamberlain University.
• How to become a surgical nurse. Herzing University.
• Gaines, K. (2021). Everything nurses need to know about ACLS, BLS & Pals Certifications. Nurse.org.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. (n.d.). Perioperative Nurse. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.
• Medical-Surgical Nurse. Johnson & Johnson. (n.d.).
• Or nurse: Scrub vs circulating. RNspeak.
• REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT (RNFA). Registered nursing first assistant (RNFA). (n.d.).
• The nursing process. ANA.
• Surgical nurse job description and career guide. Western Governors University.
• What is Med-Surg Nursing? Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN). (n.d.).

Typical Responsibilities of Medical Surgical Travel Nurse

The core responsibilities of Medical Surgical Nurses are focused on the delivery of safe, patient-centered care. Care is based upon the Nursing process, a systematic approach and foundational framework. This process includes: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation or reassessment. These activities within Medical Surgical Nursing typically include:

1.) Assess the patient; the first step of the Nursing process involves critical thinking skills and subjective and objective data collection

• Identify alterations from baseline assessment
• Conduct risk assessments using evidence-based tools (ex: falls, pressure injury CIWA-Ar, Confusion Assessment Method)
• Review diagnostic test results and report abnormal findings to the provider
• Prioritize care among assigned patients

2.) Formulate Nursing diagnosis(es), by using clinical judgment to assist in the planning and delivery of patient care

• Anticipate potential complications and be prepared (ex: patient with seizures at risk for aspiration, ensure suction is set up and ready at the beginning of the shift)

3.) Plan goals and outcomes with patients and/or their family members, ensuring they are in line with evidence-based care

4.) Implement a tailored care plan(s), in alignment with the medical plan and take into consideration the patient’s unique needs

• Advocate for the patient
• Administer medications and evaluate the patient’s intended vs. unintended response(s) to them
• Communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team
• Admit patients, transfer to or from higher levels of care, discharge patients home or to facilities
• Lead and participate in bedside shift report(s)
• Delegate appropriate tasks to Nursing assistive staff
• Coordinate all care for the patient (ex: ensure ordered tests are completed in a timely manner, consults are obtained and recommendations communicated)
• Change patient dressings and wound care
• Educate patients and families on acute and chronic conditions, surgeries, medications, tests, potential complications, diet, injection administration, infection prevention and discharge teaching
• Operate equipment (such as IVs, feeding tubes, catheters, and oxygen tanks)
• Consult expert sources to guide practice (ex: policies, procedures)
• Participate in emergency, life saving care
• Provide care at the end of life

5.) Evaluate or reassess the patient's response to the care provided to determine if the desired outcome has been met. Adapt plan based upon patient’s overall condition or response

• Escalate concerns using Nursing and Medical chains of command
• Document care provided

Medical Surgical Travel Nurse Salary

Medical Surgical travel nurses make between $1.7k - $3.8k per week with a median salary of a 13-week assignment of $48,828. For the most up-to-date salary information, please visit our job search, as salary can vary by state and facility type. Nomad values your decision to pick up your life and provide high-quality patient care to patients across the nation which is why we always fairly compensate for your role.

Medical Surgical Travel Nurse Education Requirements

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

A two-year degree, the minimum requirement to become a practicing nurse. Once a student graduates they are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A four-year bachelor program to become a practicing nurse. BSN-qualified nurses open themselves up to broader career paths and higher compensation than ADN certified nurses. Alternatively, some nurses obtain BSN degrees as second career choices from more abbreviated, accelerated programs.

Medical Surgical Travel Nurse Experience Requirements

In some facilities, the Medical Surgical specialty is an entry-level position. Med Surg Nursing is often recommended as an important foundation in a nurse's career, primarily due to the range of experiences an RN stands to gain and the opportunity to develop time management and prioritization skills. Many healthcare facilities are looking for RNs with at least 1 year of Medical Surgical experience.

Medical Surgical Travel Nurse Certificate Requirements

Most Medical Surgical Travel Nurses have the following certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - only if required by facility
• National Institute of Health, Stroke Scale (NIHSS) - if serving patient population with neurological conditions

Optional Medical Surgical Travel Nurse Certifications

There are several optional certifications Medical Surgical Nurses can pursue, which will likely result in higher compensation. These respected certifications demonstrate commitment to the profession and knowledge in a specialty area.

Medical Surgical Nursing Certification (RN-BC):

• Certification comes from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Competency-based exam that covers Assessment and Diagnosis; Planning, Implementation and Outcomes Evaluation; and Professional Role
• Recertification is required every five years

Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN):

• Certification comes from Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB)
• Competency-based exam
• Recertification is required every five years
• Requires 2,000 hours of clinical experience within the past three years

Medical Surgical Nurse Licensure Requirements

To practice Medical Surgical Nursing, RNs must have a valid, active state license in the state in which they are planning to work. One way nurses can have multiple licenses without actually having to procure individual licenses is the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This compact license allows nurses to work in their state and all compact states. For a compact license to be valid, the nurse must have a permanent residence in a compact state.