med surg travel contracts

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Exploring the Benefits of Med Surg Nurse Travel Jobs and How to Get Started

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The medical-surgical department is a critical care unit in any hospital, and travel nurses in this area play a significant and often life-saving role. The demand for their expertise is growing, creating numerous job opportunities both at home and overseas. This article aims to cast light on what it means to be a med surg travel nurse, the advantages of choosing this career path, the qualifications needed, the lifestyle, and how to kick-start this rewarding journey.

A Glimpse into Med Surg Travel Nursing

Med surg travel nursing involves registered nurses with medical-surgical expertise taking temporary assignments across the United States. Med surg nurses treat adult patients who have a variety of medical conditions or are recovering from surgery. As a travel nurse, they can take 13-week contracts at various healthcare facilities nationwide, gaining experience in diverse settings while earning lucrative pay packages.

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Definition of Med Surg Travel Nursing

Med surg (medical-surgical) travel nursing refers to RNs specializing in medical-surgical nursing who take temporary out-of-state nursing assignments lasting around 13 weeks. These nurses work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings across the U.S. to fill short-term staffing needs. Med surg travel nurses have specialized skills and experience caring for adult patients with medical issues, injuries, or post-surgical needs.

Role and Duties of a Med Surg Travel Nurse

Med surg travel nurses perform typical RN duties like administering medications and treatments, monitoring patient status, documenting care, educating patients, and coordinating care with other providers. They care for patients recovering from surgeries like knee/hip replacements, hysterectomies, cardiac procedures, and more. Med surg RNs also treat medical patients with conditions like pneumonia, diabetes, COPD, stroke, cancer, neurological issues, wounds, and infections.

Med surg travel nurses adapt to new facilities and build rapport with new care teams quickly. Excellent assessment, critical thinking, and communication skills allow them to deliver skilled patient care in diverse settings.

Unpacking the Benefits of Med Surg Travel Nursing

Endless opportunities for career growth.

One major advantage of med surg travel nursing is gaining experience across the U.S. in leading hospitals and specialty centers. Exposure to different practices, patient populations, and advanced technologies accelerates professional development. Many facilities also provide continuing education. This expansive experience allows travel nurses to uncover new passions and career possibilities.

Advantageous Compensation and Benefits

Med surg travel nurses earn much higher pay than staff nurses. Compensation packages include attractive hourly wages, stipends for housing/meals/travel, health/dental insurance, 401K matching, and more. Some agencies offer bonuses for completing contracts. The increased earning potential draws nurses toward the travel route.

Strengthening and Broadening Clinical Skills

Traveling exposes med surg RNs to different protocols, interventions, and patient types, enhancing their knowledge and clinical capabilities. For instance, caring for cardiac surgery patients at a top heart hospital improves cardiovascular care skills. This boosts nursing competence and confidence which can lead to new certifications.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

Med surg travel nurses need an active RN license and at least 1-2 years of recent acute care experience in medical-surgical nursing. Strong clinical knowledge, assessment talents, and technical skills are essential. Excellent communication and teamwork are vital. Adaptability, positive attitude, motivation, and reliability are also key traits for travel nurse success.

Best Recruitment Agencies for Med Surg Travel Nurses

Get started finding rewarding med surg assignments in On Demand , our powerful web app. They offer access to great facilities, attractive pay and benefits, license/credential support, housing assistance, and more. Vetting agencies thoroughly is advised.

Tips on Making the Transition Easier for First-Time Travelers

For novice med surg travel nurses, maintaining a positive but realistic mindset can ease the adjustment. Connecting with experienced travelers and recruiting agencies provides valuable insight. Being flexible and embracing new experiences will help you thrive. To stay grounded, keep in touch with loved ones at home.

Dealing with Loneliness and Homesickness

Leaving family and friends can be difficult. Combat loneliness by staying busy sightseeing on days off. Join social media groups to connect with other travel nurses in the area. Schedule video chats with loved ones. Some nurses opt to bring pets or have visitors during longer contracts. Having hobbies and staying active also helps manage homesickness.

Preparing for Variable Work Conditions

Work environments and processes differ between healthcare facilities. Request detailed information from recruiters when evaluating assignments to understand nurse-patient ratios, charting methods, resources available, and typical patient population. Arrive early on your first day to orient yourself. Embracing flexibility will allow you to adapt successfully.

Delving into the Lifestyle of Med Surg Travel Nurses

Travel opportunities for med surg nurses.

One of the biggest perks of being a travel nurse is getting to explore new places across the country. Med surg travel nurses have the exciting opportunity to live and work in different cities and hospitals for 3-6 month contracts. They can experience life in major metro areas, small towns, warm climates, mountain regions - all while earning a lucrative travel nurse salary.

Common destinations for med surg travel nurses include large hospitals in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. There are also many opportunities in smaller metro areas like Austin, Charlotte, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Portland. For nurses who want to live near outdoor recreation, popular locations include Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, San Diego, and Orlando.

When choosing travel assignments, med surg nurses should consider locations that offer activities and scenery they enjoy. An outdoor enthusiast may look at mountain towns in Colorado, a foodie might choose New Orleans, and a history buff could work near Washington DC. The flexibility to move around gives nurses control to live where they want for a few months.

Community and Camaraderie among Travel Nurses

In addition to exploring new places, travel nursing allows med surg nurses to build community with fellow travel healthcare professionals. When starting a new contract, most travel nurses live in corporate housing with other travelers from various specialities like ER, ICU, labor and delivery, and more. Living together builds camaraderie and friendships between nurses in different fields.

Building connections with other travel nurses is key for support in new locations. Other travelers can share recommendations on restaurants, hikes, nightlife, and other local activities. They also understand the unique lifestyle of contract work. The shared experience creates mutual trust and understanding between nurses in furnished, short-term housing.

Many travel nurses choose to extend contracts or accept jobs in the same area to continue growing these relationships. Travel nursing agencies and Facebook groups also connect nurses virtually when not on assignment. The community helps nurses enjoy their experiences and avoid loneliness on the road.

A Day in the Life of a Med Surg Travel Nurse

While each hospital has its own policies and procedures, a typical day for a med surg travel nurse may look like this:

• Arrive around 6:45 am, park, and take time to walk to unit
• Get report from night shift nurse and review patient charts
• Make rounds to check vitals, IVs, and overall status of patients
• Administer medications and treatments per doctor's orders
• Enter notes, updates, and new orders into patient charts
• Consult with care team of doctors, therapists, techs, pharmacists, social workers, and more
• Assist patients with ambulating, toileting, bathing, meals, and other needs
• Educate patients and families on conditions, recovery, and discharge plans
• Admit new patients from ER and prepare discharge paperwork for outgoing patients
• Give end of shift report to next nurse coming on duty
• Leave around 7:15 pm feeling accomplished after a day's work!

No two days are exactly alike with the variety of patients and needs. Med surg nurses need flexibility and time management to handle admissions, discharges, treatments, emergencies, and paperwork. Organization and teamwork gets nurses through busy 12-hour shifts.

While demanding at times, the med surg specialty provides diverse hands-on experience. Travel nurses gain exposure to different charting systems, hospital workflows, and new treatments. Working alongside new providers and nurses enhances clinical skills. The camaraderie and exploration make travel med surg nursing fulfilling and engaging.

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MED SURG TRAVEL NURSE JOBS FOR YOU

Endless Opportunities for Med-Surg Nurse Jobs Across the US

As a Med-Surg nurse, your expertise is critical to delivering exceptional patient care in healthcare facilities . At Host Healthcare, we understand the unique demands of Med-Surg nursing and the importance of finding the right travel nursing job that fits your skills and goals. With Host Healthcare, you will have priority access to top healthcare facilities and hospitals across the US that offer a wide range of Med-Surg nursing opportunities.

Your Travel Nurse Dream Career

Whether you’re a seasoned Medical Surgical nurse or just starting your travel nursing career, our expert recruiters will work closely with you to find the perfect nursing job that aligns with your experience and preferences. At Host Healthcare, we are dedicated to empowering your career, and we know that Med-Surg nursing requires you to stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practice standards. That’s why we offer our nurses free CEUs, education, and professional reimbursement, along with other resources to support their ongoing growth and development in this specialty.

Industry-Leading Benefits Every Step Of the Way

As a Med-Surg travel nurse with Host Healthcare, you’ll enjoy top-of-the-line benefits, including day-1 health benefits, competitive pay, and customized housing assistance. We’ll take care of the logistics so that you can focus on providing excellent patient care.

Apply today to join our community of exceptional Med-Surg nurses and embark on your travel nursing journey with Host Healthcare. Our responsive recruiters are passionate about helping you find the perfect nursing position that fits your unique skills and experience

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Check out these reviews from real host healthcare travelers..

Host Healthcare is amazing! Best travel co out there! Amanda is the recruiter I have & she is wonderful. She is there from the beginning. From searching for the perfect assignment throughout completion of a contract - Amanda is there for me! Host Healthcare treats their nurses so well

Amanda Goad is the most amazing recruiter I have worked with. She is the most responsive and go-getter. She is in constant contact with you or hospitals to get you offers and/or advocating for you. She is super motivated and helpful. If you have the opportunity to use her, you will not regret it.

Needed to move across country to be next to my partner, but blindly jumping into a full time job for a hospital system I was not familiar with was out of the question. Host Healthcare (Natalie G specifically) stood by me and helped me fulfill my absurdly specific requests. I was a first time time traveler and I couldn't have made it without the support I received!

Just finished my first contract with Host Healthcare (fifth overall) and they were amazing! Specifically my recruiter Jenny Berroth. Jenny was so helpful and easy to communicate with. I had a couple issues come up and Jenny was all over them and took care of everything so I could just concentrate on being a nurse, while she handled the rest. I can’t recommend Host and Jenny enough! You have to give Host and Jenny a try, you’ll be glad you did!

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Med-Surg Travel Nursing Jobs

Jobs listing, med-surg job description.

Medical-Surgical Nursing  is a comprehensive specialty that entails providing clinical care to an adult patient population, typically in a hospital setting. Med-Surg nursing is a specialization that can be found on various units, ranging from the operating room to the recovery room.

Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse Duties & Responsibilities

Medical-Surgical Nurses are the unit’s master coordinators, handling care for multiple patients while keeping the entire health care team on the same page. They have solid critical-thinking abilities, extensive clinical knowledge, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Many nursing specializations demand similar skill sets, but  Medical-Surgical Nursing  is distinguished by the intense level of coordination required from the time patients enter until they leave the hospital.

A medical-surgical nurse has the following responsibilities:

• Uses the nursing process in an efficient and accountable manner.
• Through practice and contact with patients and other employees, provides efficient and effective patient care.
• Coordinates patients’ care plans and consults with other team members to get the best possible outcomes.
• Follows the Board of Nursing’s and their employer’s policies, rules, standards, and procedures.
• Under the direction of the manager or charge nurse, works independently to implement care goals for patients and professional goals for themselves.
• In addition to primary tasks, may serve as charge nurse or resource nurse.
• Regularly assesses the patient competently.
• Determines effective interventions by prioritizing patient care and related challenges.
• Expands knowledge through didactic and experiential learning, contact hours, and certificates.
• Displays a caring and polite manner toward all coworkers, patients, and family members.

Med-Surg Job Requirements

Medical-Surgical Travel Nurses  general qualifications include:

• Active BLS from the American Heart Association.
• Active professional license within the state of practice.
• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) credential is recommended and may be required for specific registered nurses and travel nurse positions.
• Other specialty-related certifications are preferred and may be required for specific positions.
• Experience as an oncology RN in a hospital setting.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as an RN.
• Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Benefits Of Traveling With Stability Healthcare

A  Med-Surg  nurse’s average income is  $62,472 , with a salary range of  $36,512 – $92,282.  As with any nursing specialization, a nurse’s compensation is determined by her location, experience, education, and applicable certifications. While hard statistics are difficult to obtain, nurses may begin by completing their BSN degree for a general increase in compensation.

Travel Nurse Salary & Benefits

Our  Stability Healthcare  recruiter will work with you to plan out various assignments for your travel career in advance. You get the following benefits with  Stability Healthcare :

Health Insurance

Stability Healthcare  incentives and benefits enhance  Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse’s compensation . Such as:

• Day 1 Premium Insurance:   Starting on the first day of your assignment, you will be covered by premium insurance (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance).
• $15,000 Company-paid Life/ADD Insurance.

Financial Benefits

Yes, Travel Nurses can earn more money with various assignments. Still, it’s not simply the money that attracts people to work as medical-surgical travel nurses; with bonuses, extra shift compensation, stipends, and above-average compensation, travel nurses can significantly improve their earnings in a short period of time.

Stability Healthcare’s  incentives and advantages help medical-surgical nurses earn more money. Such as the following:

• PTO for All Nurses
• Travel Reimbursement
• Referral Bonuses
• Extra Hours Bonus
• Guaranteed Stipend
• Paid Compliance Costs

Career Benefits

You will obtain many benefits if you apply to position yourself as a strong candidate for a medical-surgical travel nurse career. Stability Healthcare offers:

• Nationwide Jobs
• Prestigious Facilities
• 401 (k) Plan

Are you looking for a Medical-Surgical Travel Nursing career option? Check our  nursing job opportunities  at Stability Healthcare and start a new step in your career!

Travel Nursing Reviews

Jennifer, rn.

The response time from my recruiter and nurse specialist is amazing! They both have been so great to work with on my first assignment out in California!!! Chad and Samantha both are super caring and very responsive! I already extended my contract with the hospital because of the smooth process. They made the transition from Florida to California a lot loss stressful than I imagined. Would definitely recommend them both!!!

My recruiter, and other staff I have had the pleasure of interacting with, are all so friendly and helpful. My recruiter is responsive, and even reached out while she was on vacation to check on me! I’ve worked with other agencies in the past, but Stability is next level when it comes to making your travel nursing experience as seamless as possible! Special shout out to Lindsay (best recruiter ever) and Tracy. Amazing people to work with.

Brittany J.

My recruiter is very responsive and personable. I have NEVER had any issues with them!! This agency even has PTO! None of my co workers with other agencies have this benefit!! Also the rates are equal or higher than most other agencies!! Everything feels more like family than business and for that I would choose stability over any other agency!! I am so happy I chose to work with them!

Sopheare C.

My recruiter Amanda is amazing and always timely with her responses. Debbie who is my nurse experience specialist who is with me all times of the contract is truly awesome. Love how responsive she is and will answer any and all my questions. Big thanks to Jesse my compliance coordinator for making all the appointments and getting me travel ready. Can’t thank my team enough for all they do. Any question or issue I have they resolve right away. And I love that they breakdown each contract into a spread so you know exactly what your getting for the terms of the contract.

I have been incredibly impressed by the professionalism, ease of communication, ability to have all requirements for onboarding fulfilled in a timely manner, and just overall outstanding service. Lindsay Hernandez is my particular recruiter and she has been a pleasure to work with, as well as all the team members at Stability. I’m looking forward to staying with them for my next assignment. I highly recommend them to my nursing friends, and anyone looking to travel as a nurse!

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Med-Surg Nurse: In-Demand Specialty for Travel Nursing Jobs

Medical-surgical nurses — or med-surg for short — represent the single largest nursing specialty . They are the hospital employees who spend the most time with patients and their families.

This specialty represents a merger of two separate nursing disciplines — medical nursing and surgical nursing. The specialties were combined in the 1960s after healthcare educators determined that patients would be better served by nurses who were trained in both disciplines who could provide total care. Today, the modern med-surg nursing specialty has been described as “the foundation of all nursing practice.”

The patient population within hospitals continues to grow at the same time that the nursing shortage becomes critical, and as a result, med-surg nurses are increasingly in high demand. Their ability to manage multiple patients and to remain calm and organized while fulfilling a wide range of duties makes them an invaluable part of the health system. Healthcare facilities will continue to turn to travel nurses to meet patient needs and reduce strain on staff nurses.

Med surg travel nurses can earn up to $2,300 a week. Speak to a recruiter today!

What is a Med-Surg Nurse?

Rather than providing care for a defined population or specializing in a type of care, med-surg nurses apply their skills to wide-ranging conditions in adult patients, while also delivering health education and meeting patients’ psychological, emotional and social needs. They treat patients who are recovering from or preparing for surgery, as well as patients diagnosed with chronic conditions or admitted for emergent situations.

They usually manage from five to seven patients with a variety of diagnoses and conditions per shift. No two days are alike, and there is rarely any downtime.

Med-surg nurses are the face of nursing for the majority of patients who are inpatients preparing for or recovering from surgery, as well as those who are being treated for chronic or acute illnesses. They rely on their comprehensive medical knowledge and nursing theory to provide appropriate individual care for a diverse range of patients. Medical-surgical nurses possess the same skill set as nurses working in many other nursing specialties. They must be experts at coordination. They are responsible for multiple patients at a time, as well as for the care provided to their patients by other members of the healthcare team.

They need to stay cool and calm under pressure, to have well-developed critical thinking skills , and excellent communication skills .

Though med-surg nurses work in hospitals more than any other setting, they can also be found in inpatient clinics, in administration or teaching settings, in the military, in nursing homes, and in ambulatory care settings. Though their central responsibility is the coordination of patient care, their specific duties include:

• Working with other health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Educating patients regarding the surgical procedures they are about to undergo
• Preparing and administering prescribed medications and reporting adverse reactions
• Recording patient vital signs and medical information
• Monitoring equipment and interpreting and recording the information it provides
• Taking action when patients manifest adverse symptoms and responding to life-saving situations
• Providing bedside care, including changing dressings, inserting catheters, starting IVs

Because their duties are so diverse and essential and because they are caring for multiple patients at a time, med-surg nurses must have strong time management skills .

Med-Surg Nurse Salary and Job Growth Potential

Recent studies have confirmed what intuition has always made clear: the lower the nurse-to-patient ratio, the better the quality of care patients receive. Hospitals are mindful of this, and many states are beginning to mandate these staffing practices. As a result, there is increasing demand for nurses with med-surg experience. This has, in turn, led to increased salaries.

Across the nation, the median salary for a med-surg nurse is $86,567, with 75% of med-surg nurses being paid between $71,500 and $94,500.

The median salary for a med-surg RN is $86,567.

Differences in salary depend upon a number of factors, including the geographic region , the nurse’s experience and education, whether the nurse is certified, and more.

In addition to salary, med-surg nurses receive additional compensation in the form of benefits such as sick leave, vacation time, tuition reimbursement and childcare support. They can also increase their income by signing on for overtime and shift differentials.

Additionally, med-surg nurses will continue to be in demand as a result of the national nursing shortage. While much of the shortage is the result of America’s aging population combined with retirements among tenured nurses, there are also areas in the country where the shortage is being felt more intensely , and as a result facilities in those areas are increasingly turning to travel med-surg nurses for assistance.

Top Paying Cities for Med-Surg Nurses in 2021

According to  ZipRecruiter.com , here are the best paying cities for med-surg nurses in 2021:

• Sunnyvale, CA: $107,425 per year
• Santa Rosa, CA: $103,901 per year
• Williston, ND: $102,224 per year
• Manhattan, NY: $101,954 per year
• Cambridge, MA: $100,694 per year

Discover available med-surg travel nursing assignments today!

Med-Surg Nurse Education Requirements, Certifications and Professional Groups

Medical-Surgical nursing is viewed as a smart first step for a newly graduated nurse. The position exposes you to a wide variety of patient conditions, the opportunity for direct patient care, and the chance to establish yourself as a valuable member of a healthcare team. Many who intend to stay for just a few years end up loving med-surg nursing so much that they spend their entire career on the med-surg floor.

Whatever your long-term plans, to become a med-surg nurse you first need to become a Registered Nurse. Though you can achieve this with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing , hospitals are increasingly requiring their nursing staff to have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Nurses who graduate with their ADN may need to continue their education after they’ve been hired. Whatever your degree, after graduation you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam in order to be hired as a med-surg nurse.

Once licensed, nurses can avail themselves of training programs including new graduate internships that teach them the valuable organizational and communication skills that are integral to the role, and after approximately two years of experience in a med-surg environment nurses will be eligible for certification as a Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse . This certification provides med-surg nurses with additional recognition of their skills and expertise and frequently leads to higher compensation and improved marketability.

Med-surg nurses who are interested in additional professional advancement can join the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses , an organization dedicated to the advancement of the profession.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Med-Surg Nurse

Pros of med-surg nursing.

• Satisfaction of working as part of a collaborative team of healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.
• Ability to work directly with patients and see the impact of your care
• Opportunity to work with patients with a variety of conditions, constantly expanding knowledge and skills.
• Job highlights critical thinking skills, organizational skills and communication skills.

Cons of Med-Surg Nursing

• Position can be exhausting, as med-surg nurses are responsible for multiple patients and are constantly juggling responsibilities and duties.
• Job environment is often chaotic, and nurses can be overwhelmed by never having enough time.
• Staffing shortages can lead to higher nurse-to-patient ratios.
• Patients and their families can be frustrating

Nursing as a Med Surg Travel Nurse

Whether you plan on moving from medical-surgical nursing to another specialty or want to work in med-surg throughout your career, these positions expose you to the broadest range of patients. Med-surg nurses have both clinical skills and organizational skills that translate well into any other area of care and into any professional setting. That’s just one reason they are so well suited to travel nursing .

Hospitals and other care facilities around the country rely on travel med-surg nurses for their flexibility and leadership, as well as their experience and knowledge.

Medical surgical travel nurses have the opportunity to continue learning on the job. They can gain experience with a wide range of patients, all while being paid competitive, tax-advantaged salaries. Perks typically include a housing stipend and traveling reimbursement, along with the freedom to choose where you work.

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• Bi-weekly weekend travel home.
• A rental car and paid housing.

With Aya Locums you get:

• Access to top hospitals and healthcare systems in diverse care settings.
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• Full coverage of licensing costs.
• Travel and lodging coverage.
• Easy timekeeping and streamlined management of documents.
• Malpractice coverage and risk management support.
• Premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance beginning day one of your assignment.
• Paid sick time. Aya provides paid sick leave in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws. Aya's general sick leave policy is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. However, to the extent any provisions of the statement above conflict with any applicable paid sick leave laws, the applicable paid sick leave laws are controlling.
• Generous 401k match.
• Aya may provide other benefits where required by applicable law, including but not limited to reimbursements.
• Aya coordinates all travel and lodging accommodations.
• Travel information is received the evening prior to your scheduled departure.
• Airfare is covered and, if driving to the assignment, reimbursement is available.
• Once notice is received, communication from our team is sent via email and text to ensure you are kept in the loop as soon as information becomes available.
• Your safety is Aya's top priority. We work closely with the facility to ensure additional security measures are taken onsite so you can focus on what really matters: patient care.
• Licensure, relocation and other reimbursements.

Experience the Aya difference today

• A dedicated recruiter who advocates for you every step of the way.
• We'll ensure the hiring manager prioritizes your interest and schedules an interview quickly.
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• Flexible start dates that work around your availability.
• We make it simple with one point of contact the entire time.
• University of Washington (UW) offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package. Choose from top medical and dental insurance programs; plan for your future with tax-deferred investing through the UW retirement options; enjoy generous vacation and sick leave policies; and protect yourself and your family with life and long-term disability insurance. For more information, follow the links shown below or explore the Benefits website at http://hr.uw.edu/benefits/

With Aya, you get:

• Higher compensation - we negotiate on your behalf.
• Work-life balance - contracts are up to 40 hours per week, with workdays ending mid-late afternoon and weekends off!
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TravelNursing

What is a Medical Surgical Nurse?

Medical Surgical nursing is a nursing specialty that is very broad and involves providing clinical care to an adult patient population--most often in the hospital setting. Med surg nursing is a specialty that can be found on many different units--from the operating suite to the recovery room. According to the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses , medical-surgical nursing is the single largest nursing specialty in the United States. 

“Medical-Surgical Nurses are the master coordinators of the unit, juggling care for many patients at a time while keeping the entire health care team on the same page (Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 2017).They have high-level critical-thinking skills, vast clinical knowledge, and stay calm under pressure. Many nursing specialties require similar skill sets, but it is the intense level of coordination from the time patients arrive until after they leave the hospital that distinguishes Medical-Surgical Nursing,” according to the latest AMSN Scope and Standards of Practice . 

“Even after leaving the inpatient setting, the Medical-Surgical Nurse continues to provide care to patients in subacute care facilities, home care agencies, ambulatory care clinics, outpatient services, residential facilities, skilled nursing facilities, private practice, adult day care agencies, primary care and specialty practices, schools, insurance companies, and private companies. 

If you’re looking for a job that will truly give you the chance to do a little bit of everything, med-surg nursing is right for you. According to the AMSN, the role of the medical-surgical nurse includes acting as a: 

• Care coordinator
• Client educator
• Case manager
• Client advocate
• Administrator/manager
• Staff educator
• Expert witness.

Life of a Medical Surgical Nurse

What does a medical surgical nurse do? The life of a medical surgical nurse is unique because there is so much variety in their day-to-day med surg nurse responsibilities. There is no specific med surg nursing book with all the answers of what a med surg nurse may encounter on a day-to-day basis. Be prepared: expect anything!

If you love direct interaction with patients, you’re in luck. A medical surgical nurse plays a key role in patient care, and the AMSN notes that medical surgical nurses are the frontline providers who have more facetime with patients than any other professional in the hospital while also planning care, listening to patients’ concerns, and answering loved ones’ questions. 

Typical medical surgical nurse job descriptions will include the following medical surgical nurse responsibilities: Providing direct clinical patient care to adults of different acuities at the same time, giving medications, coordinating with the healthcare team and ensuring all paperwork and charting is up to date in the EMR or file. Also, as a medical surgical nurse, you can expect to interact with an interdisciplinary care team that includes doctors, therapists, other nurses and many more healthcare professionals that work in the medical surgical setting.  

Why Travel as a Medical Surgical Nurse 

There are countless reasons why a med surg nurse should pursue a life as a medical surgical travel nurse. From great pay (typically 15 percent higher than permanent staff positions), excellent benefits and the ability to see the country, why not take your career on the road as a med surg travel nurse? 

If this sounds intriguing to you as a med surg nurse, you can sign-up for email job alerts . Once you do that, you’ll get an instant notification every time a medical surgical travel nursing job comes up in our database that meets your search criteria. Do you want to learn more about the benefits to becoming a travel nurse? Click here for a full list of all of the perks available as a med surg travel nurse. 

Read More About Medical Surgical Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the link below.

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Medical surgical travel nurse career guide

Table of Contents

Med-surg travel nurse career overview.

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. If you're considering becoming a med-surg travel nurse, or just want to learn more about med-surg travel nurse jobs, our guide is here to help.

Med-Surg travel RN jobs with Nomad Health

At Nomad, we want to help our med-surg 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.

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
• orthopedics

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.

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Popular Medical-Surgical Travel Nurse jobs

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.

Search medical surgical travel nurse jobs and find your next travel nurse destination.

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:

• outpatient settings

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, and multiple sclerosis.

Ear, nose, throat

Vertigo, laryngitis, and epistaxis.

Respiratory

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism.

Congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and pericarditis.

Gastrointestinal

Colitis, diverticulitis, appendectomy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pancreatitis, and cholititiasis .

Genitourinary / renal

Urinary tract infection (UTI), pyelonephritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and end stage renal disease.

Diabetes mellitus, hypo/hyperthyroidism, and Cushings’ disease

Peripheral vascular

Peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy.

Integumentary

Pressure injuries, cellulitis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Musculoskeletal / orthopedic

Hip/knee fractures, dislocations, replacement surgery, rheumatoid arthritis, and spinal fusion.

Psychosocial

Alcohol/drug withdrawal, suicide/homocidal ideation, depression, and anxiety.

Other common reasons for med-surg hospitalization

Prostatectomy, bariatric surgery, sepsis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and falls.

Find your next travel nurse destination

Med-surg travel nurse certifications.

Earning certifications is a way to demonstrate expertise in the med-surg specialty area. While some certifications are optional, some facilities may require them, so having them may increase your job options.

Medical Surgical Nursing Certification (RN-BC)

There are two primary med-surg certification options, the first of which is the Medical Surgical Nurse - Board Certified credential, or MEDSURG-BC from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, or ANCC. According to the ANCC website, this “examination is a competency-based examination that provides a valid and reliable assessment of the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the medical-surgical specialty.” Make sure your certification is still valid and up to date; it may need to be renewed.

Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse (CMRRN)

The second widely respected med-surg certification is the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMRRN) credential from the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. Passing this competency-based examination is another excellent way to demonstrate your proficiency in the field.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

The NLC license allows the holder to practice in any NLC-participating state. While having this license is not required, it opens a lot of doors for travel nurses. This may give you a bit more flexibility to move around and take jobs in other states.

Basic Life Support (BLS)

The American Heart Association’s BLS certification is for any healthcare provider who may need to perform chest compressions or other cardiovascular life support skills in a medical setting. This is a Nomad Health required certification.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

This certification is facility dependent. More advanced than a BLS, this American Heart Association certification is for healthcare providers that may participate in or manage cardiopulmonary arrest or cardiovascular emergencies on a regular basis.

Med-surg travel nurse pay

At Nomad Health, the average weekly pay for a travel med-surg nurse is $2,153 , including travel stipend. There are a lot of factors that can influence this number, such as facility demand, industry rates, and more. On the higher end, a travel med-surg nurse at Nomad can make up to $3,477. The average hourly rate is $57, but goes as high at $83 an hour.*

While searching for jobs on Nomad Health, you can filter your search results by pay and even check out a transparent pay break-down, so you can find a job that matches your financial goals.

*Based on Nomad Health job data on December 19, 2023. Subject to change.

How do you become a medical-surgical travel nurse?

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: 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).

Step 5: 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.

Benefits and challenges of med-surg travel nursing

Being a travel med-surg nurse can be incredibly rewarding, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without its challenges.

Growth and specialization opportunities

Medical-surgical nursing is a large field with a lot of opportunities for specialization, such as Med-Surg Telemetry, so you can pursue aspects that interest you the most. Medical surgical nursing is exciting, and no two shifts are the same. It’s rewarding, fast-paced, and you’ll build a wide range of skills.

Diverse job experience

By taking travel assignments, you might have the opportunity to go to different types of facilities and work with different patient populations. This may help build a well-rounded career, and make more room for advancement in the future.

Part of the fun of choosing travel nursing over staff nursing is traveling! You get to potentially explore new cities, make new work connections, and meet new people.

While it’s exciting to move around the country taking different travel assignments, the process to find housing can be stressful. Make sure to check out Nomad’s housing guide, or chat with a Navigator if you have any questions or concerns.

On-the-job stress

Being a medical-surgical travel nurse can be intense; you will almost certainly find yourself in high-pressure situations where you need to make quick and important decisions.

Legal and ethical considerations for med-surg travel nurses

As with any other specialty, it is highly recommended to document assessments, interventions and care provided in real time. Review your documentation before you leave the shift to ensure it accurately explains what happened to the patient and how you provided care for them (evaluation) as well as communication with key team members.

A large legal factor to consider while looking for travel assignments is licensing. You must be licensed in the state you’re hoping to work in. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is a multistate license that allows for more flexibility, as you can work in any jurisdiction that allows it. It’s an incredibly helpful license to have in your toolbelt as a travel nurse.

We believe in supporting our med-surg nurses to the very best of our ability. Nomad Health offers malpractice insurance, among other benefits, in case you ever need to access it.

As a healthcare provider, it is almost inevitable that you’ll come face to face with multiple ethical dilemmas, sometimes daily. There may be times where your own personal ethics come into conflict with a patient’s wishes or situation. There are four main ethical principles when it comes to nursing, and they are incredibly important to uphold: autonomy, beneficence, justice, and nonmaleficence.

Autonomy speaks to a patient’s right to refuse a healthcare service, even if it’s what you or another provider recommends. As a nurse, it's important to equip the patient with education which includes the purpose, side effects and potential adverse outcomes. Also, explain how you plan on monitoring them. Beneficence represents making decisions to do good and minimize harm. The third concept, justice, is about all patients having the right to be treated fairly and equally. And finally, nonmaleficence, where healthcare providers do everything in their power to do no harm.

To learn more, head to the American Nurses Association website and read the Code of Ethics in Nursing .

Lifestyle considerations for med-surg travel nurses

There are a few things to consider when deciding if traveling is the right choice for you. At each new assignment, you’ll be meeting new people and learning new facility dynamics. What’s done at one facility may be different from another facility, so it’s important to stay agile, adaptable, and flexible. Your patient population may change as well from job to job, as well as patient ratios.

Outside of work, traveling can be lonely at times. You’re moving to new places where you might not know people. It’s helpful to stay in contact with your support system whenever possible. Some travel nurses will try to take assignments in pairs, so they have someone to find housing with, or travel with. If you’re used to living in a big city, and you take an assignment in a rural area, that can be a big transition. The same can be said for the other way around.

Join Nomad's travel nurse community

Professional development opportunities for med-surg travel nurses.

Medical-surgical nursing is one of the most popular nursing paths. As you continue to learn and grow, you’ll find lots of opportunities to advance and specialize. Here are some ways to keep your healthcare career moving forward.

Continuous learning

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.

Advanced degrees and certifications

Advanced degrees may help you advance your career. As a travel nurse, having an advanced degree or certificate from an accredited program or school could lead to more job opportunities, as it could increase your hireability. Here are a couple of examples:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Getting a Master of Science in Nursing demonstrates advanced expertise within the field. It generally requires that you already have a four-year bachelor’s degree, and takes about two to three years to complete.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The next step after a Master of Science in Nursing degree could be a Doctor of Nursing Practice. This is at the doctoral level of education and mastery and having it demonstrates a very high level of expertise in nursing.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

APRN is a category that includes Clinical Nurse Specialists. They represent an advanced group of nurses, and generally hold a Master’s degree or above.

Fellowships

Fellowships combine real hands-on experience with academic learning and mentorship. If you’re transitioning into med-surg nursing, a fellowship is a great middle step and could give you the skills to confidently work in the field.

Professional organizations

There are a number of professional organizations you can join as a med-surg nurse that offer educational resources, networking opportunities, and more. Here are a couple notable ones:

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)

A community of more than 10,000 med-surg nurses, AMSN is one of the main specialty organizations you can join. You’ll find professional development opportunities, certification routes, and advocacy resources.

American Nurses Association (ANA)

This is one of the largest nursing organizations and provides help and resources to a wide range of nursing specialties.You’ll find standard and advanced certification resources, educational content, and access to events.

Workshops, seminars and conferences

Stay up to date with the latest trends and practices in travel med-surg nursing by attending workshops or seminars. It’s a great way to network with other nurses or travelers, and could connect you to helpful resources.

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Annual Convention

Put on annually by AMSN, this multi-day convention brings together med-surg nurses from all over the country. See exciting speakers and learn about the latest developments and practices within medical-surgical nursing.

TravCon is the largest conference specifically for traveling healthcare professionals. Attending is a great way to meet other travelers, and learn about the travel nursing industry.

Med-surg specialization areas

Medical-surgical nursing is one of the largest nursing specialties in the United States, and is currently the most popular specialization at Nomad Health. Due to its broad scope and wide range of skill sets required, there are a variety of subspecialties to choose within the field.

Med-surg telemetry

Travel med-surg nurses can specialize in telemetry, meaning they work primarily with patients with cardiopulmonary/neuro conditions that require cardiac monitoring.

Experts of the skeletal and muscular system, med-surg nurses in an orthopedic setting work with a variety of patients, including those with broken bones or joint related conditions.

Support and resources for med-surg travel nurses

Nomad navigators.

At Nomad Health, we want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident while taking assignments with us. We have an entire team of expert Nomad Navigators on standby, ready to provide support if you ever need it. They have real clinical experience, and can provide guidance/coaching with challenging situations, education, and performance feedback.

Trends in med-surg travel nursing

According to the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses, med-surg is the largest nursing specialty in the United States. At Nomad Health, it is our largest in-demand specialty by far. As healthcare demands continue to rise, med-surg nursing roles will continue to play an important role in meeting those needs.

How to apply for med-surg travel nurse jobs

Ready to start your Med-Surg travel nursing adventure? Nomad Health is your gateway to a world of endless possibilities. With our job database, finding and applying for medical-surgical travel nurse jobs has never been easier.

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Completed profiles get faster offers, find your speciality and browse open jobs, frequently asked questions about med-surg travel nurses, what are the benefits of being a medical surgical travel nurse, what are the drawbacks of being a medical surgical travel nurse, what experiences or personal qualities of a med-surg travel nurse are desirable for facilities, what is the difference between a medical surgical travel nurse and patient care assistant, see our highest paying travel nurse jobs, med-surg travel nurse healthcare sources.

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