Medical-surgical nursing is the single largest nursing specialty in the U.S., and we have remarkable presence worldwide. There is strength in our numbers.

We are experts in our clinical skills, our teamwork, and our communication. Our attributes come together, and we thrive in a fast-paced environment providing compassionate, personalized care across a range of care settings. Quite simply, our qualities shape who we are as caring professionals.

As medical-surgical nurses, we are generalists. We may or may not specialize in the care of a particular body system. Our versatility in training and our mindset allows us to see the greater clinical picture, connect the dots readily between the signs and symptoms of different body systems, and communicate effectively with all care team members. The “big picture” perspective generalists bring is essential.

In my nursing practice in general medicine, I have cared for patients afflicted by a range of disease states, including cancers, cardiac conditions, and rare autoimmune diseases to name a few. I consider such broad experiences a true asset when I have helped care for patients in other departments.

Many nurses find medical-surgical nursing a great place to start their careers because it affords them a solid foundation in patient care. We care for patients with a range of health needs, making us excellent critical thinkers and time managers in a busy environment. We are constantly exposed to different procedures, treatments, and medical conditions, making medical-surgical nursing an excellent place to build knowledge and hands-on experience.

As medical-surgical nurses, we are “people people.” That is, we are deeply involved in the relational aspects of patient care. In the hospital, we perform patient admissions, guiding and comforting patients and families through an uncertain time of workups and complicated treatments. As discharge approaches, we ready patients and family members for the important transition back home.

We work well with patients in clinics and in the community as well. In any setting, the highly interpersonal nature of our work and our ability to build rapport across boundaries and work collaboratively allow us to make a lasting difference.

I believe our strength as medical-surgical nurses lies in our passion, our purpose, and in our numbers. While I have shared a few of our striking qualities, there are many more. After all, we are constantly innovating for patients and for our profession. Whether you are beginning your career or taking your nursing practice to the next level, we hope you find our medical-surgical nursing community a great place to start and a great place to stay.