Exploring the Benefits of Med Surg Nurse Travel Jobs and How to Get Started

The medical-surgical department is a critical care unit in any hospital, and travel nurses in this area play a significant and often life-saving role. The demand for their expertise is growing, creating numerous job opportunities both at home and overseas. This article aims to cast light on what it means to be a med surg travel nurse, the advantages of choosing this career path, the qualifications needed, the lifestyle, and how to kick-start this rewarding journey.

A Glimpse into Med Surg Travel Nursing

Med surg travel nursing involves registered nurses with medical-surgical expertise taking temporary assignments across the United States. Med surg nurses treat adult patients who have a variety of medical conditions or are recovering from surgery. As a travel nurse, they can take 13-week contracts at various healthcare facilities nationwide, gaining experience in diverse settings while earning lucrative pay packages.

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Definition of Med Surg Travel Nursing

Med surg (medical-surgical) travel nursing refers to RNs specializing in medical-surgical nursing who take temporary out-of-state nursing assignments lasting around 13 weeks. These nurses work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings across the U.S. to fill short-term staffing needs. Med surg travel nurses have specialized skills and experience caring for adult patients with medical issues, injuries, or post-surgical needs.

Role and Duties of a Med Surg Travel Nurse

Med surg travel nurses perform typical RN duties like administering medications and treatments, monitoring patient status, documenting care, educating patients, and coordinating care with other providers. They care for patients recovering from surgeries like knee/hip replacements, hysterectomies, cardiac procedures, and more. Med surg RNs also treat medical patients with conditions like pneumonia, diabetes, COPD, stroke, cancer, neurological issues, wounds, and infections.

Med surg travel nurses adapt to new facilities and build rapport with new care teams quickly. Excellent assessment, critical thinking, and communication skills allow them to deliver skilled patient care in diverse settings.

Unpacking the Benefits of Med Surg Travel Nursing

Endless Opportunities for Career Growth

One major advantage of med surg travel nursing is gaining experience across the U.S. in leading hospitals and specialty centers. Exposure to different practices, patient populations, and advanced technologies accelerates professional development. Many facilities also provide continuing education. This expansive experience allows travel nurses to uncover new passions and career possibilities.

Advantageous Compensation and Benefits

Med surg travel nurses earn much higher pay than staff nurses. Compensation packages include attractive hourly wages, stipends for housing/meals/travel, health/dental insurance, 401K matching, and more. Some agencies offer bonuses for completing contracts. The increased earning potential draws nurses toward the travel route.

Strengthening and Broadening Clinical Skills

Traveling exposes med surg RNs to different protocols, interventions, and patient types, enhancing their knowledge and clinical capabilities. For instance, caring for cardiac surgery patients at a top heart hospital improves cardiovascular care skills. This boosts nursing competence and confidence which can lead to new certifications.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

Med surg travel nurses need an active RN license and at least 1-2 years of recent acute care experience in medical-surgical nursing. Strong clinical knowledge, assessment talents, and technical skills are essential. Excellent communication and teamwork are vital. Adaptability, positive attitude, motivation, and reliability are also key traits for travel nurse success.

Best Recruitment Agencies for Med Surg Travel Nurses

Get started finding rewarding med surg assignments in On Demand, our powerful web app. They offer access to great facilities, attractive pay and benefits, license/credential support, housing assistance, and more. Vetting agencies thoroughly is advised.

Tips on Making the Transition Easier for First-Time Travelers

For novice med surg travel nurses, maintaining a positive but realistic mindset can ease the adjustment. Connecting with experienced travelers and recruiting agencies provides valuable insight. Being flexible and embracing new experiences will help you thrive. To stay grounded, keep in touch with loved ones at home.

Dealing with Loneliness and Homesickness

Leaving family and friends can be difficult. Combat loneliness by staying busy sightseeing on days off. Join social media groups to connect with other travel nurses in the area. Schedule video chats with loved ones. Some nurses opt to bring pets or have visitors during longer contracts. Having hobbies and staying active also helps manage homesickness.

Preparing for Variable Work Conditions

Work environments and processes differ between healthcare facilities. Request detailed information from recruiters when evaluating assignments to understand nurse-patient ratios, charting methods, resources available, and typical patient population. Arrive early on your first day to orient yourself. Embracing flexibility will allow you to adapt successfully.

Delving into the Lifestyle of Med Surg Travel Nurses

Travel Opportunities for Med Surg Nurses

One of the biggest perks of being a travel nurse is getting to explore new places across the country. Med surg travel nurses have the exciting opportunity to live and work in different cities and hospitals for 3-6 month contracts. They can experience life in major metro areas, small towns, warm climates, mountain regions - all while earning a lucrative travel nurse salary.

Common destinations for med surg travel nurses include large hospitals in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. There are also many opportunities in smaller metro areas like Austin, Charlotte, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Portland. For nurses who want to live near outdoor recreation, popular locations include Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, San Diego, and Orlando.

When choosing travel assignments, med surg nurses should consider locations that offer activities and scenery they enjoy. An outdoor enthusiast may look at mountain towns in Colorado, a foodie might choose New Orleans, and a history buff could work near Washington DC. The flexibility to move around gives nurses control to live where they want for a few months.

Community and Camaraderie among Travel Nurses

In addition to exploring new places, travel nursing allows med surg nurses to build community with fellow travel healthcare professionals. When starting a new contract, most travel nurses live in corporate housing with other travelers from various specialities like ER, ICU, labor and delivery, and more. Living together builds camaraderie and friendships between nurses in different fields.

Building connections with other travel nurses is key for support in new locations. Other travelers can share recommendations on restaurants, hikes, nightlife, and other local activities. They also understand the unique lifestyle of contract work. The shared experience creates mutual trust and understanding between nurses in furnished, short-term housing.

Many travel nurses choose to extend contracts or accept jobs in the same area to continue growing these relationships. Travel nursing agencies and Facebook groups also connect nurses virtually when not on assignment. The community helps nurses enjoy their experiences and avoid loneliness on the road.

A Day in the Life of a Med Surg Travel Nurse

While each hospital has its own policies and procedures, a typical day for a med surg travel nurse may look like this:

• Arrive around 6:45 am, park, and take time to walk to unit
• Get report from night shift nurse and review patient charts
• Make rounds to check vitals, IVs, and overall status of patients
• Administer medications and treatments per doctor's orders
• Enter notes, updates, and new orders into patient charts
• Consult with care team of doctors, therapists, techs, pharmacists, social workers, and more
• Assist patients with ambulating, toileting, bathing, meals, and other needs
• Educate patients and families on conditions, recovery, and discharge plans
• Admit new patients from ER and prepare discharge paperwork for outgoing patients
• Give end of shift report to next nurse coming on duty
• Leave around 7:15 pm feeling accomplished after a day's work!

No two days are exactly alike with the variety of patients and needs. Med surg nurses need flexibility and time management to handle admissions, discharges, treatments, emergencies, and paperwork. Organization and teamwork gets nurses through busy 12-hour shifts.

While demanding at times, the med surg specialty provides diverse hands-on experience. Travel nurses gain exposure to different charting systems, hospital workflows, and new treatments. Working alongside new providers and nurses enhances clinical skills. The camaraderie and exploration make travel med surg nursing fulfilling and engaging.

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