How to Become a Medical-Surgical Nurse

Medical-surgical nurses treat patients admitted to the hospital after a surgical procedure or to manage an illness. The steps to become a medical-surgical (med-surg) nurse include education, testing, and licensing, after which they can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a med-surg nurse, and where to start.

Become a Medical-Surgical Nurse in 5 Steps

To become a medical-surgical nurse, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). While not mandatory, they can pursue certification after a few years of bedside experience.

Schooling Requirements for Medical-Surgical Nurses

Medical-surgical nurses must be registered nurses, a title earned by graduating with an ADN or a BSN degree.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a medical-surgical nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.

Med-surg nurses with an ADN may receive lower pay and may not have their first choice of positions compared to those with a BSN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future medical-surgical nurses a well-rounded education experience. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

A BSN prepares aspiring med-surg nurses to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Medical-Surgical Nurse Licensing

Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Medical-surgical nurses must apply for a registered nurse license to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.

NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, graduates need to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade, and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.

Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal

Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.

In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.

Specialty Certification

Some medical-surgical nurse positions require certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Additionally, medical-surgical nurses may choose to pursue specialty certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which offers the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC). Med-surg nurses may also pursue the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) offered by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses.

Where Do Medical-Surgical Nurses Work?

Medical-surgical nurses typically work in med-surg hospital units. However, they may also find employment at facilities like:

• Ambulatory care
• Home health care
• Hospital and regulatory administration
• Nursing homes
• Universities

FAQs: How to Become a Medical-Surgical Nurse

   1. What education is needed to become a medical-surgical nurse?

Medical-surgical nurses must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

   2. How many years does it take to become a medical-surgical nurse?

The time it takes to become a medical-surgical nurse depends on which degree one pursues, but may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree.

   3. What are the steps to become a medical-surgical nurse?

To become a medical-surgical nurse, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps, they may apply to medical-surgical nurse positions and pursue specialty certification.

   4. How much do medical-surgical nurses make an hour?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical-surgical nurses earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.