As the largest nursing specialty in the country, medical-surgical nursing is a fast-paced discipline that requires quick thinking, strong organization, and the ability to handle a diverse range of patient care. If you're ready to take these essential skills on the road, Nomad Health can connect you with rewarding travel med-surg jobs in cities and facilities that excite you, helping you build a meaningful and dynamic career.

We are dedicated to supporting your journey with transparent, competitive pay and a robust benefits package. When you travel with Nomad, you'll receive comprehensive health insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, malpractice coverage, housing and meal stipends, and reimbursements for travel, licenses, and certifications to ensure you thrive on every assignment.

What is a medical surgical travel nurse?

Medical surgical travel nurses provide comprehensive care to adult patients managing acute illnesses or navigating the preoperative (before surgery) and postoperative (after surgery) phases of surgery. With patient acuity rising in recent years due to aging populations and complex comorbidities, med-surg nurses play a critical role in closely monitoring patients, quickly identifying acute changes, and escalating early warning signs of deterioration.

This expansive, fast-paced specialty offers incredible opportunities for clinical diversity and career growth. Med-surg travel nurses can build a highly rewarding career by gaining experience across a wide range of subspecialties, including general surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, gynecology, and thoracic care. If you are ready to expand your expertise and take your skills on the road, join Nomad's travel nurse community today.

Steps to become a medical surgical travel nurse

Becoming a med-surg travel nurse requires a strong educational foundation, hands-on clinical experience, and the right credentials. If you are preparing to take your career on the road, here are the essential steps to get started:

1. Earn a college degree in nursing

Start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as your minimum requirement, or pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN is highly recommended, as it is often preferred by hospitals and can open doors to higher compensation.

2. Pass the NCLEX

Next, future med-surg travel nurses have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). All nurses, traveling and non-traveling, are required to take and pass this exam.

3. Work for at least two years as an RN

Most facilities require at least 12 to 24 months of recent, hands-on experience as a med-surg RN. This crucial time builds the strong prioritization and time management skills you will need to succeed in a fast-paced travel role.

4. Consider additional nursing certifications

While optional, specialized credentials like the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (RN-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) accreditation from Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB) can increase your competitiveness and pay. Standard life-support certifications (BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS) are also frequently required.

5. Get licensed for the states you want to work in

You must hold a valid license for the state where you plan to work. If your permanent residence is in a state that participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), you can use your compact license to seamlessly travel and work across dozens of participating states.

Medical surgical travel nurse salary

At Nomad Health, the average weekly pay for a med-surg travel nurse is $2,153, including travel stipend. There are a lot of factors that can influence this number, such as facility demand, industry rates, and more. On the higher end, a travel med-surg nurse at Nomad can make up to $3,477. The average hourly rate is $57, but goes as high at $83 an hour.*

While searching for jobs on Nomad Health, you can filter your search results by pay and even check out a transparent pay break-down, so you can find a job that matches your financial goals.

*Based on the Nomad Health job data as of December 19, 2023.

Medical surgical travel nurse job responsibilities

Med-surg travel nurses manage a wide variety of patient care needs across multiple healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home care environments. Assignments typically last 13 weeks (with frequent opportunities to extend) and generally consist of 8- to 12-hour shifts.

According to the American Nurses Association, there are five elements to the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. A traveling med-surg professional is trained and ready to provide top-notch care within these parameters.

Assessing patients

The first step of the nursing process involves critical thinking skills and subjective and objective data collection. This could include: identifying alterations from baseline assessment, conducting risk assessments using evidence-based tools (ex: falls, pressure injury CIWA-Ar, Confusion Assessment Method), reviewing diagnostic test results and reporting abnormal findings to the provider, and prioritizing care among assigned patients.

Diagnosis formulation

Next, med-surg travel nurses formulate nursing diagnosis(es) by using clinical judgment to assist in the planning and delivery of patient care. You anticipate potential complications and prepare accordingly (ex: patient with seizures at risk for aspiration, ensure suction is set up and ready at the beginning of the shift). Med-surg travel nurses may also play an active role in planning goals and outcomes with patients and/or their family members, ensuring they are in line with evidence-based care.

Implementation

After planning comes implementation, which includes a tailored care plan(s) that’s in alignment with the medical plan, and takes into consideration the patient’s unique needs. Traveling med-surg nurses advocate for the patient, administer medications and evaluate the patient’s intended vs. unintended response(s), and communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team. During this phase, med-surg nurses may admit patients, conduct transfers, or discharge patients home or to facilities, and lead and participate in bedside shift report(s).

There may be times when nurses change patient dressings and wound care, and times where they operate equipment (such as IV’s, feeding tubes, catheters, and oxygen tanks. Traveling med-surg nurses will educate patients and families on acute and chronic conditions, surgeries, medications, tests, potential complications, diet, injection administration, infection prevention, and discharge teaching. There will be shifts that require travel nurses to participate in emergency, life saving care, and others that involve end-of-life care.

Patient evaluation and reassessment

Finally, a traveling med-surg nurse might evaluate or reassess the patient's response to the care provided to determine if the desired outcome has been met. They will update plans based upon their patients’ overall condition or response, escalate concerns using nursing and medical chains of command, and document care provided.

Common conditions treated in med-surg units

Because of the broad nature of this specialty, traveling med-surg nurses treat patients admitted for a vast array of acute and chronic conditions. Here is a snapshot of the cases you will likely encounter:

Neurological: Delirium, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, seizures, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis

Ear, nose, throat: Vertigo, laryngitis, and epistaxis

Respiratory: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, pneumothorax, and pulmonary embolism

Cardiac: Congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and pericarditis

Gastrointestinal: Colitis, diverticulitis, appendectomy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pancreatitis, and cholelithiasis

Genitourinary / renal: Urinary tract infection (UTI), pyelonephritis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and end stage renal disease

Endocrine: Diabetes mellitus, hypo/hyperthyroidism, and Cushings’ disease

Peripheral vascular: Peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy

Integumentary: Pressure injuries, cellulitis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Musculoskeletal / orthopedic: Hip/knee fractures, dislocations, replacement surgery, rheumatoid arthritis, and spinal fusion

Psychosocial: Alcohol/drug withdrawal, suicide/homocidal ideation, depression, and anxiety

Other common reasons for med-surg hospitalization: Prostatectomy, bariatric surgery, sepsis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and falls

Skills to have as a medical surgical travel nurse

Because medical-surgical units are the bustling hub of any hospital, med-surg travel nurses must be masters of prioritization and time management. Throughout a single shift, you will collaborate heavily with doctors, specialists, nursing assistants, and patients' families. Stepping into a new facility every 13 weeks requires a highly adaptable mindset and the confidence to ask questions when navigating unfamiliar protocols or unit cultures. Ultimately, bringing strong communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a team-oriented approach to the floor will ensure you thrive and deliver exceptional care on every assignment.

Pros and cons of being a medical surgical travel nurse

Taking your medical-surgical skills on the road is incredibly rewarding, but it also requires a high degree of adaptability. Here is a look at the unique benefits and challenges of this career path:

Pros

• Dynamic career growth: Gaining diverse experience across different facilities and patient populations builds a highly well-rounded resume. This sets a strong foundation if you want to pursue specializations (like Med-Surg Telemetry) or advanced degrees (like an MSN, DNP, or APRN).
• Travel and exploration: You get paid to explore new cities, experience different clinical environments, and meet new people across the country.
• Continuous learning & networking: Travel nursing expands your professional network. You'll have unique opportunities to connect with peers through professional organizations like the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) or at major industry events like TravCon.
• Exciting, fast-paced work: Because you treat such a wide variety of conditions, no two shifts are ever the same.

Cons

• High-pressure environments: Med-surg units are intense. You will frequently find yourself in high-stress situations that require quick, critical decision-making.
• Constant transitions: Every 13 weeks, you have to learn new facility dynamics, different charting systems, varying patient ratios, and new unit cultures. This requires you to be highly agile and flexible.
• Lifestyle and logistics: Moving frequently can sometimes feel lonely, especially if you are transitioning between vastly different environments (like moving from a major city to a rural town). Finding short-term housing can also be stressful, though utilizing Nomad’s housing guides and Navigators, or traveling with a fellow nurse, can help make the process seamless.