Medical Surgical Nurse – Career and Education Profile

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Medical surgical nurses, often called just surgical nurses, work with patients before and during surgeries, as well as provide after-surgery patient care.

Job Responsibilities

As a medical surgical nurse, your main task will be to assist the medical team operating on a patient. This task starts with duties such as explaining the procedure to the patient and assisting the patient in preparing for the surgery (which could include eating a special diet or shaving certain areas to prepare for incision). During the surgery, you’ll service as an extra pair of hands for the doctor and may run errands, monitor vital signs, sterilize equipment, or update the family on the procedure in the case of major surgery. After the surgery, you’ll provide care for the patient including changing the dressing on wounds, helping the patient manage pain, and more.

Salary and Career Options

According to reports, medical surgical nurses can expect to make between $49,000 and $66,000 annually. The exact amount you’ll make depends on a number of factors, such as your location, your employer, and your educational level. You can start working in medical surgical nursing as an LPN, but RNs and advanced practice nurses can expect to earn more money and more easily find a job in the United States. As a medical surgical nurse, you can also transition into become a nurse anesthetist eventually, which is position where you can expect to earn well over $100,000 annually.

Educational Requirements

You can get started as an LPN if you want to work in a surgical environment, but many open positions require at least an associate’s degree. Many nurses move from working in critical care environments to working in medical surgical nursing, and after you gain experience you can take the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses exam to get certified in this type of nursing.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.