To the editor:

One of the many wonderful things about nursing is the broad variety of practice settings both in and out of the hospital. In the past, Medical-Surgical Nursing was considered an "entry level must" to solidify one's nursing school education. With the many changes in health care, med-surg nursing has evolved into a specialty of its own.

The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) describes these professionals as "nurses who possess specialized skills and knowledge of the entire spectrum of nursing care. They make a difference by building the profession of nursing, and the medical-surgical nursing specialty, mentoring and nurturing each other, advocating for patients and their families, serving their communities through care and education and improving patient care. The medical-surgical nurse cares for adult patients, applying expert knowledge to all body systems and disease processes. They are trusted by the patients and valued by colleagues as highly skilled compassionate caregivers."

Nursing is not a profession of just "following the doctor's orders, holding hands, passing medications." We do all those things, but also assess the patient, gather information, develop nursing diagnosis with appropriate interventions, create and implement educational plans, collaborate with the doctor, physical therapist, speech therapist, pharmacist, case manager, etc. to help the patient achieve optimal health so they can return home or transfer to the next level of care.

Last week was Medical-Surgical Nurses week. I hope you'll remember these nurses as you visit a hospitalized friend or family member, get your flu shot, or when a home care nurse visits you.

If you are considering nursing as a career or a nurse looking for a change, why not try medical-surgical nursing.

judi gross, bsn cmsrn

Poplar Street, Gloucester