June 1, 2021

Increased Demand for MedSurg, OR and ER Nurses Expected: What You Need For Each Specialty

According to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), a recent study expects the healthcare industry to see an increased demand for MedSurg, OR and ER nurses later this year and into 2022. If you’re interested in starting or continuing your career as a traveling healthcare professional in these specialties, TNAA has gathered all the information you need to know.

Before we go over what you need to start working as a MedSurg, OR or ER nurse, know that you must have at least one year of experience before becoming a TNAA traveler. Generally, facilities want to see you develop your skills as a healthcare professional and get comfortable on the hospital floor before you travel. This experience will come in handy if you have limited orientation on any assignments.

MedSurg Nurse

MedSurg is the single largest nursing specialty in the country. These nurses care for acutely ill patients who come into their care under various circumstances, from those recovering from surgery to those fighting a disease. MedSurg travel nurses are expected to hit the hospital floor with skills in just about everything.

MedSurg Nurse Soft Skills:

Master coordinators

Multitaskers

Level-headed

Most MedSurg nurses have the following certifications:

BLS, Basic Life Support

ACLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Some in MedSurg support their credentials with the following certifications:

NIH, Stroke Certification from the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale

CMSRN Certification

Check out our MedSurg Career Guide to hear from travelers about what it is like to work in this department.

OR Nurse

OR nurses care for patients before, during and after surgery. They advocate for patients at their most vulnerable and often deal with anxious family members and emotional strain. OR healthcare professionals work in various settings — cardiac, ENT, general, oncology, peds, plastics, neurosurgery, transplant, and trauma to name a few. Unlike other healthcare specialties, most facilities require OR travelers to have at least two years of experience in the operating room because there is so much to learn in this field.

OR Nurse Soft Skills:

Detail-oriented

Flexible

Critical thinker

Most OR nurses hold the following certifications:

BLS, Basic Life Support

ACLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support

PALS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Perioperative nurses generally hold additional certifications, such as:

Perioperative training, AORN Periop 101 cert

CNOR

CNFA

Hear from our travelers on what life is like working in the operating room in our OR Career Guide.

ER Travel Nurse

ER nurses work the front line of the hospital. They must be prepared to handle a wide variety of patients and cases coming through the emergency department. Stabilization is the main focus in the ER as most patients are experiencing life-threatening situations. Nurses in this department must be able to deal with anxious family members and tough emotional strain as they often see patients who are at their worst.

ER Nurse Soft Skills:

Adaptable

Natural problem solver

Critical thinker

Most ER nurses hold the following certifications:

BLS, Basic Life Support

ACLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support

PALS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support

NIH, Stroke Certification from NIHSS

Many ER nurses build their credentials with the following certifications:

TNCC, Trauma Nurse Core Course

ENPC, Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course