Nursing, in general, started as either medical or surgical. Nowadays, Medical-Surgical Nursing is a sub-specialty that nurses choose to enter. Medical-Surgical Nurses are the largest group of practicing nurses yet what began as an entry-level position is now one that needs extra certifications to become.
What Do I Need To Do To Become a Medical-Surgical Nurse?
To get specialized as a Medical-Surgical Nurse, you need to begin with either a nursing diploma, an associate’s, or a Bachelor’s of Science-Nursing (BSN). Once you have one of those degrees, you’ll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEx-RN). After you’ve worked for two years as a Registered Nurse with 2,000 hours of practice within three years in a medical-surgical setting, you’ll take the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse exam through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) which is the Medical-Surgical Nursing Board which, after you pass, will allow you to work as a Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse.