Medical-surgical or “med-surg” nursing is a specialty focused on providing direct care to adult patients.
What do medical-surgical nurses do?
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Medical-surgical nurses manage many patients who require numerous medications and have multiple diagnoses across several medical specialties. These nurses see patients through acute illness or help them manage chronic disease.
Where do medical-surgical nurses work?
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Medical-surgical nurses may work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, home health care agencies, ambulatory care units, long-term care homes, surgical centers, and universities.
What do medical-surgical nurses need to know?
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A profession in medical-surgical nursing requires:
- an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology.
- keen assessment and monitoring skills.
- vast knowledge about diseases and conditions.
- ongoing education related to recommended prevention methods and treatment options.
Medical-surgical nurses require strong skills in time management, organization, accurate documentation, and care planning.
More medical-surgical nursing resources
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- Nursing Pocket Cards, including laboratory values and discharge planning
- Guideline Summaries, including hypertension and intimate partner violence
- Articles and nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) activities
- Headlines and news stories
- Society partners