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Medical-Surgical Nursing is the foundation of all nursing practice. Once upon a time and not so very long ago, all nurses practiced the art and science of nursing on wards, everyone was a medical or surgical nurse - that is where all nursing started. Today many nurses choose to work in the specialty of medical-surgical nursing.

Medical-Surgical nursing has evolved from an entry-level position to an adult health specialty. It is no longer viewed as stepping-stone but is the solid rock and the backbone of every institution. It is the largest group of practicing professionals. The medical-surgical nurse cares for the adult patient in many settings, such as inpatient care unit, clinics, HMO's, ambulatory care units, home health care, long-term care, skilled nursing homes, urgent care centers, surgical centers, and universities, just to name a few. Medical-surgical nurses are on the front lines everyday. They are on the cutting edge of what is new and exciting in nursing. As technology evolves, so does nursing. The work is challenging, but rewarding. It is one of the most demanding specialties of all the nursing specialties. Who but a special nurse can manage as many as 5-7 patients, plus the ones s/he has admitted and discharged throughout the day? She must juggle her assignment so she can do assessments, administer care, treatments, medications and documentation. The medical-surgical nurse is so resilient she comes back the next day to start all over again! The nurse knows that the greatest reward is to see someone healed because of her efforts.

Because we are a specialty, we have our own professional nursing organization, the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses (AMSN) whose mission is to "enhance the knowledge, skills and professionalism of the medical-surgical/adult health nurse in all practice settings." Click here for more information about AMSN.

Medical-surgical nursing is a stimulating and, yes, demanding career. It is not for the faint-hearted.

Medical-Surgical Nurses:

Have a Vast Set of Skills

• Are knowledgeable in all aspects of adult health
• Have excellent assessment, technical, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Teach patients, families, peers, and other health professionals

Are Advocates for Patients

• Understand the importance of measuring and improving the quality of care delivered
• Consider patient safety to be the top priority
• Support patients in their efforts to identify what is in their best interests

Welcome Diversity

• Care for patients of all ages
• Manage the care of patients with multiple medical, surgical, and/or psychiatric diagnoses
• Manage the care of patients with diagnoses across all medical specialties
• Celebrate that there is always something new to learn
• Can practice in hospitals, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, MD offices, long-term care facilities, and other practice sites

Make a Difference in People’s Lives Every Day

• Provide comfort and attention to people who, at that moment, need someone to take an interest in their lives
• Heal patients physically and emotionally through intuitive experiences that rely on observation and touch
• Assist patients in returning to their highest level of functioning
• Provide dignity and respect in end-of-life decision-making and care

Are the Backbone of Every Adult-Care Clinical Agency

• All adult patients are eventually cared for by medical-surgical nurses