Med-surg travel nurse

What agencies ask for

Experience

Usually 1–2 years of recent acute care med-surg experience.

Required on most contracts

BLS

Often preferred

ACLS and CMSRN

Also expect

A skills checklist and references from your recent Med-Surg managers, and a license for the state (or a multistate license where it applies).

Ratios and floating

California minimum: 1 nurse to 5 patients. Title 22 §70217

Traveler reports on Med-Surg ratios and floating appear here once a hospital's Med-Surg has 3 reports. Report a unit you worked on.

What Med-Surg travelers were offered

No Med-Surg offers shared yet. Pay is published as medians once 3 travelers have shared.

Ask before you sign

1. How many patients on days and on nights, and does it change when the unit is short?
2. Is there a CNA or tech, and how many patients do they cover?
3. How often do travelers float, and to which units? Is floating limited to units like this one?
4. What's the usual ratio on days and on nights, and who covers breaks?
5. How many orientation shifts do travelers get, and are they paid?
6. Which charting system does the unit use?

Questions

What experience do you need to be a Med-surg travel nurse?

Usually 1–2 years of recent acute care med-surg experience. Requirements are set by each hospital, so check the job post.

What certifications do Med-Surg travel nurses need?

Most Med-Surg contracts require BLS, and many prefer ACLS and CMSRN. Bring current cards: agencies verify them before submitting you.

What is the nurse-to-patient ratio for Med-Surg?

Only California sets ratios in law: 1 nurse to 5 patients (Title 22 CCR §70217). Elsewhere it's hospital policy, so ask on the interview.