Medical Surgical Nursing job description

A Medical Surgical Nurse provides comprehensive care to adult patients with various medical conditions and surgical needs, managing everything from preoperative preparation to postoperative recovery and patient education. They serve as the backbone of hospital nursing units, ensuring high-quality patient care that directly contributes to reduced hospital readmissions, improved patient outcomes, and efficient healthcare delivery.

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What is a Medical Surgical Nursing?

A Medical Surgical Nurse is a specialized registered nurse who cares for adult patients with a wide range of medical conditions and surgical needs. These nurses typically work on hospital units where they manage diverse patient cases, from those recovering from surgery to individuals being treated for complex illnesses. They are known for their strong assessment skills, clinical knowledge, and ability to handle fast-paced environments while providing holistic patient care. Medical Surgical Nursing is often considered the foundation of hospital nursing practice.

What does a Medical Surgical Nursing do?

Medical Surgical Nurses perform comprehensive patient assessments, monitor vital signs, administer medications, and manage pain control for patients. They provide wound care, assist with procedures, educate patients and families about treatment plans, and coordinate with physicians and other healthcare team members. These nurses also document patient progress, implement care plans, and respond to emergency situations. Their role includes preparing patients for surgery, monitoring recovery, and facilitating discharge planning to ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home care.

Job Overview

A Medical-Surgical Nurse provides comprehensive care to adult patients with various medical conditions and surgical needs in acute care hospital settings. This role requires strong clinical assessment skills, critical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple patients with diverse health issues across the medical-surgical spectrum.

Medical Surgical Nursing responsibilities include:

1. Perform comprehensive patient assessments and develop individualized care plans 2. Administer medications, treatments, and IV therapy following physician orders 3. Monitor and document patient vital signs, symptoms, and responses to treatments 4. Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams including physicians, therapists, and case managers 5. Provide patient and family education on disease management and discharge planning 6. Utilize electronic health records (Epic or Cerner) for accurate documentation 7. Respond to medical emergencies and implement rapid response protocols 8. Manage post-operative care including wound care, pain management, and mobility 9. Adhere to infection control protocols and maintain patient safety standards 10. Supervise and delegate tasks to nursing assistants and LPNs
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Must-Have Requirements

1. Active RN license in state of practice (BSN preferred) 2. Minimum 2 years of acute care medical-surgical nursing experience 3. Current BLS and ACLS certifications from American Heart Association 4. Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills 5. Proficiency in electronic health record documentation 6. Excellent communication and patient education abilities 7. Ability to manage 5-6 patient assignments safely 8. Comprehensive knowledge of medical-surgical nursing protocols

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree 2. Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (RN-BC) 3. Experience with Epic or Cerner EHR systems 4. Previous charge nurse or preceptor experience 5. Knowledge of quality improvement and patient safety initiatives 6. Experience in teaching hospitals or academic medical centers 7. Background in evidence-based practice implementation 8. Familiarity with Joint Commission standards and compliance

Bonus Skills

1. Telemetry monitoring certification and experience 2. Wound care certification (WCC) or ostomy care experience 3. Chemotherapy administration certification 4. Experience with patient acuity systems and staffing models 5. Participation in nursing research or quality improvement projects 6. Multilingual abilities (Spanish preferred) 7. Advanced cardiac life support instructor certification 8. Experience with patient discharge planning and case management

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