Travel Medical Surgical Nurse Salary Guide

Med-surg nurses are registered nurses who specialize in caring for adult patients with a broad range of acute medical issues or who are preparing for or recovering from surgery. These nurses make up the largest group of practicing healthcare professionals in the acute care setting and thrive in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of patients. Many nursing sub-specialties require RNs to have prior med-surg experience.

Prospective med-surg nurses must earn at least an Associate Degree in Nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). They also may opt to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is preferred by some employers. Nursing school graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Most hospitals offer an internship program for new RNs wanting to enter the med-surg specialty, which contains a didactic component and a mentorship with an experienced nurse.

Med-surg nursing salaries are based on numerous factors, including years of experience, certifications, work setting, and geographical location, among others. Education can also impact base salary since RNs can enter the med-surg field with an ADN or a BSN, but there isn’t always a big difference in pay between the two.

Jobs for med-surg nurses are abundant, making it a good role for recent graduates, but experience can play a big part in how an RN’s salary is based. Entry-level nurses can’t expect to earn as much as those that come into a position with several years of experience in the med-surg field already. In a hospital setting, med-surg RNs with sufficient experience to float between all the med-surg units may receive a higher base salary. 

Earning relevant certifications also plays a part in how a med-surg RNs salary is based. Basic Life Support certification is required. Although not always required, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification can increase a med-surg nurse’s merit as a job candidate and may factor into salary. If a med-surg nurse works in a hospital emergency room or family practice where patients of all ages are seen, Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification may also be beneficial. Professional certification relating directly to med-surg nursing isn’t usually required, but salaries may fluctuate based on these certifications. 

Salaries for med-surg nursing jobs are also based on location, like other nursing professions. Med-surg nurses can usually expect to earn more in hospital settings and major metropolitan centers. Some states have above-average pay rates, especially California. It’s always among the highest paying locations, but the state also has one of the highest costs of living nationwide.

Compared to many other nursing specialties, med-surg salaries are usually lower, but there are ways med-surg RNs can increase their salaries. Experience level based on years of service is impossible to immediately change, but additional education and professional certifications can be earned in relatively short periods.

Med-surg nurses who currently have an ADN can potentially earn a pay bump if they pursue a BSN after they’re hired. RN-to-BSN programs allow nurses to continue their education while still working and finish their degree quicker. Some hospitals even offer tuition reimbursement to help cover the cost.

However, the best way for med-surg nurses to increase their salary is to earn professional certification. The average salaries of certified med-surg nurses are generally higher than those without certifications.

The Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board offers the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) credential to currently licensed RNs who’ve practiced in the med-surg setting for two years and accrued 2,000 hours of practice within the past three years. Earning the CMSRN designation opens the door for a possible pay raise and most hospitals reimburse nurses for the exam fee.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers the Medical-Surgical Nursing board certification examination. RNs can sit for the MEDSURG-BC exam after two years of full-time practice as an RN and completion of at least 2,000 clinical practice hours and 30 hours of continuing education in the med-surg specialty within the last three years.  Both credentials are valid for five years before requiring renewal.

While there are many benefits to working as a travel nurse, the most common benefits included as compensation are housing stipends, meal stipends, and health insurance. Be sure to asses how your benefits are taxed because this can affect your net income. For example, if you qualify as having a permanent tax home, many of these stipends are tax-free, which can mean thousands of dollars in savings.

1. Housing stipend

Housing stipends can be used to cover costs associated with temporary housing like rent, utilities, and relocation expenses. In some cases employers will offer a choice between a stipend or employee housing. If you are confident your housing costs will be lower than the stipend amount, then you may be able to find your own place and save the difference.

On the other hand, housing provided by your employer can make the process of relocating a lot easier. Ask your recruiter how a stipend vs employee housing option is taxed. See our housing tips for travel nursing.

Avg housing stipend value: $584

2. Meal stipend

It’s common for employers to cover living expenses, especially food costs since it is one of the largest expenses when relocating. Employers describe this benefit differently sometimes providing a “per diem” which is a maximum daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses. Others may offer a “stipend”, which is a lump sum paid periodically. It’s important to keep detailed records of your expenses and to verify whether you qualify for tax-free stipends.

Avg housing stipend value: $668

3. Health Insurance

Many travel nurse employers offer health insurance at a reasonable rate, however coverage may only apply throughout the duration of your assignment. You’ll want to understand the exact start/end dates of your coverage before signing an agreement to avoid gaps in coverage.

As an alternative, many travel nurses choose private coverage or elect COBRA in between jobs. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate a higher rate of pay by choosing private insurance and opting out of the employer’s insurance option.

Earning your Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC), AHNCC - Nurse Coach-Board Certified (NC-BC) or Certified Transcultural Nurse (CTN) often increases your salary potential as a medical surgical nurse or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.

Yes, having a Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a medical surgical nurse.

Yes, having a AHNCC - Nurse Coach-Board Certified (NC-BC) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a medical surgical nurse.

Yes, advanced education often opens new career paths that usually lead to higher salaries. Medical surgical nurses may benefit financially from pursuing a Bachelor of Science with Nursing Major (BS) or Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Nursing (BPS). Medical surgical nurses residing in Australia may benefit financially from pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc Nsg).

Take a look at Vivian's Travel Med Surg Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.