Medical-Surgical

Medical-Surgical nurses at Einstein Philadelphia standardize care plans for patients based on scientific knowledge; work to promote patient health, treating and preventing disease progression; and serve as patient and family advocates. They observe, assess and record all patient symptoms and reactions; handle administrative tasks and patient and family education; regularly evaluate patients and guide them toward rehabilitation.

Nurses in this unit hold certifications in trauma, oncology and orthopedics, and other advanced medical-surgical skills. The unit constantly trains nurses on new equipment and policies and provides frequent competency assessments and educational programs.

For some nurses, the Medical-Surgical unit is seen as a stepping stone toward working in specialized units, like telemetry, or toward earning their nurse practitioner degrees or masters’ degrees in management or public health.

There is a strong culture of shared governance within the unit and a nursing practice council that regularly meets about practice issues and potential innovations. Nurses and administrators often work together on evidence-based practice projects, which are in many cases implemented to improve patient care and safety, and all nurses are encouraged to pursue leadership opportunities.