301Live Med Surg RN Travel Jobs · August 18 700+ 5-Star Reviews

Med Surg Travel Nurse Jobs Nationwide

Browse open medical surgical contracts with live weekly pay, shift details, and start dates, then filter to your match.

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Med Surg · nationwide
301
live jobs
$2,026
avg weekly pay iMarket pay is the average weekly rate across active assignments matching your specialty and location. Each job’s pay tier compares its weekly pay to this average.
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Georgia 21 Kansas 19 Texas 19 Illinois 16 Iowa 16 Tennessee 16 New Mexico 12
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    Open Med Surg Travel Jobs, Updated Hourly

    Med Surg travel nurse jobs anchor hospital inpatient care, where nurses carry full, shifting patient loads across post-op recovery, chronic disease, and acute medical needs. Advantis lists 301 open Medical-Surgical contracts right now, with active openings in Georgia, Kansas, and Texas and start dates within August to October. Assignments vary widely in size and intensity, so each listing shows its weekly pay, currently ranging $1,508 - $2,939, plus shift and unit specifics up front. Sort by what matters to you, compare contracts, and see the open Med Surg assignments above.

    Live market data

    What Med Surg contracts pay right now

    Updated today

    These are our current Med Surg rates. The bulk sit close to the median, while 4x12 schedules and higher-acuity night units push toward the top. See where the median falls on the chart below.

    $1,508 median $2,021 $2,939
    $2,021
    Median weekly
    $1,508–$2,939
    Typical range
    $2,939
    Top Med Surg Pay
    Based on 298 live Advantis Med Surg contracts. Weekly pay shown is marketplace contract value, not a staff-nurse wage.

    Why Med Surg Travel Nurse Jobs Stay in Demand

    Med Surg is the largest nursing specialty and the backbone of hospital inpatient care, so demand follows the broader nurse labor market, which is tight. HRSA projects an 8% shortage of registered nurses in 2028, and BLS expects about 189,100 RN openings every year through 2034, with Medical Surgical units running on nearly all of the country's roughly 6,100 hospitals. That breadth is the travel advantage: a Med Surg background fits almost any facility, in almost any state, on short notice. The credential that sets experienced travelers apart is the CMSRN, awarded by the MSNCB for two years of Med Surg practice. Because acuity, ratios, and float expectations vary widely from one assignment to the next, the unit details and weekly pay on each listing are the first things worth checking.

    Live market data · by state

    Best-value Med Surg states right now

    Updated today

    Since Med Surg openings exist almost everywhere, the smarter question is where a contract leaves you ahead. Rank these states by take-home after housing, screen for no income tax or a fast start, and read each one's cited staffing outlook before you commit.

    Tap a green value, or an underlined heading, to see how each number is calculated.
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    State Open jobs Compact Median pay Income tax Market outlook
    North Dakota 4 Yes ✓ $2,161 $1,075 up to 2.5% (graduated) Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    West Virginia 8 Yes ✓ $2,128 $995 up to ~4.58% (graduated) Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Wisconsin 6 Yes ✓ $2,159 $1,250 up to 7.65% (graduated) Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Wyoming 3 Yes ✓ $2,115 $1,067 0% Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Illinois 16 No $2,216 $1,556 4.95% flat ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center
    Ohio 5 Yes ✓ $2,137 $1,219 2.75% flat Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Kentucky 4 Yes ✓ $2,090 $1,105 3.5% flat Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Kansas 19 Yes ✓ $2,071 $1,122 up to 5.58% (graduated) Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Arizona 5 Yes ✓ $2,193 $1,706 2.5% flat Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook
    Iowa 16 Yes ✓ $2,041 $1,097 3.8% flat Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Michigan 11 No $2,048 $1,310 4.25% flat 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024
    Indiana 5 Yes ✓ $2,020 $1,234 2.95% flat ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen
    New Hampshire 7 Yes ✓ $2,189 $2,038 0% ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Washington 3 Yes ✓ $2,166 $2,011 0% Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    New Mexico 12 Yes ✓ $1,999 $1,294 up to 5.9% (graduated) Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    New York 8 No $2,214 $2,374 up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL
    Missouri 10 Yes ✓ $1,923 $1,138 up to 4.7% (graduated) Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Oklahoma 11 Yes ✓ $1,907 $1,122 up to 4.5% (graduated) Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Georgia 21 Yes ✓ $1,992 $1,550 4.99% flat Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Virginia 12 Yes ✓ $2,019 $1,729 up to 5.75% (graduated) Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    South Carolina 4 Yes ✓ $1,901 $1,344 1.99% / 5.21% (two brackets) Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Massachusetts 9 No $2,153 $2,495 5.0% flat + 4% surtax (top 9.0%) Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Tennessee 16 Yes ✓ $1,869 $1,335 0% 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn.
    Alabama 11 Yes ✓ $1,803 $1,079 up to 5.0% (graduated) Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Colorado 7 Yes ✓ $1,962 $1,866 4.4% flat ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer
    North Carolina 9 Yes ✓ $1,850 $1,389 3.99% flat ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps
    Mississippi 4 Yes ✓ $1,741 $1,033 4.0% flat Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Hawaii 6 No $1,970 $2,545 up to 11.0% (graduated) Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Florida 3 Yes ✓ $1,782 $1,933 0% 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn.
    California 8 No $1,949 $2,674 up to 13.3% (graduated) ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022
    Texas 19 Yes ✓ $1,508 $1,520 0% 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals
    North Dakota · 4 open
    Median pay $2,161 2-BR rent $1,075 State tax up to 2.5% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Statewide surplus; frontier/oil-region demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    West Virginia · 8 open
    Median pay $2,128 2-BR rent $995 State tax up to ~4.58% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Above balance; aging/rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Wisconsin · 6 open
    Median pay $2,159 2-BR rent $1,250 State tax up to 7.65% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Surplus statewide; distribution & specialty-mix demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Wyoming · 3 open
    Median pay $2,115 2-BR rent $1,067 State tax 0% Compact ✓
    Outlook: Largest projected surplus; frontier/rural demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Illinois · 16 open
    Median pay $2,216 2-BR rent $1,556 State tax 4.95% flat Compact No
    Outlook: ~27% of RNs plan to retire within 5 years IL Nursing Workforce Center
    Ohio · 5 open
    Median pay $2,137 2-BR rent $1,219 State tax 2.75% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: Surplus statewide; high-acuity & rural distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Kentucky · 4 open
    Median pay $2,090 2-BR rent $1,105 State tax 3.5% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: Near balance; metro + rural Appalachian demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Kansas · 19 open
    Median pay $2,071 2-BR rent $1,122 State tax up to 5.58% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Above balance; rural hospitals at closure risk HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Arizona · 5 open
    Median pay $2,193 2-BR rent $1,706 State tax 2.5% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: Population & retiree growth sustain metro demand BLS Occupational Outlook
    Iowa · 16 open
    Median pay $2,041 2-BR rent $1,097 State tax 3.8% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: Near balance; rural/critical-access distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Michigan · 11 open
    Median pay $2,048 2-BR rent $1,310 State tax 4.25% flat Compact No
    Outlook: 22,000+ unfilled nursing roles projected by 2030 Michigan Health Council 2024
    Indiana · 5 open
    Median pay $2,020 2-BR rent $1,234 State tax 2.95% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: ~5,000 more nurses needed by 2031 (72% of need met) Indiana Hospital Assn. · IU Bowen
    New Hampshire · 7 open
    Median pay $2,189 2-BR rent $2,038 State tax 0% Compact ✓
    Outlook: ~7% RN shortfall by 2038; aging population HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Washington · 3 open
    Median pay $2,166 2-BR rent $2,011 State tax 0% Compact ✓
    Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~17% by 2038 (~15,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    New Mexico · 12 open
    Median pay $1,999 2-BR rent $1,294 State tax up to 5.9% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Slight RN shortage (~2% by 2038); below-avg density HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    New York · 8 open
    Median pay $2,214 2-BR rent $2,374 State tax up to 10.9% (graduated) + NYC local Compact No
    Outlook: ~40,000 nurse shortage by 2030; 17,000+ RN openings/yr NY State DOH · DOL
    Missouri · 10 open
    Median pay $1,923 2-BR rent $1,138 State tax up to 4.7% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Statewide balance; KC/STL turnover + rural gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Oklahoma · 11 open
    Median pay $1,907 2-BR rent $1,122 State tax up to 4.5% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~13% by 2038 HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Georgia · 21 open
    Median pay $1,992 2-BR rent $1,550 State tax 4.99% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~20% by 2038 (~25,110 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Virginia · 12 open
    Median pay $2,019 2-BR rent $1,729 State tax up to 5.75% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~8% by 2038 (~8,020 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    South Carolina · 4 open
    Median pay $1,901 2-BR rent $1,344 State tax 1.99% / 5.21% (two brackets) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Among 10 largest RN shortages · ~12% by 2038 (~7,250 FTE) HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Massachusetts · 9 open
    Median pay $2,153 2-BR rent $2,495 State tax 5.0% flat + 4% surtax (top 9.0%) Compact No
    Outlook: Surplus statewide; turnover/specialty-driven demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Tennessee · 16 open
    Median pay $1,869 2-BR rent $1,335 State tax 0% Compact ✓
    Outlook: 8,500+ RN shortfall projected by 2035 TN Hospital Assn.
    Alabama · 11 open
    Median pay $1,803 2-BR rent $1,079 State tax up to 5.0% (graduated) Compact ✓
    Outlook: Statewide surplus; demand in rural/non-metro facilities HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Colorado · 7 open
    Median pay $1,962 2-BR rent $1,866 State tax 4.4% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: ~15% RN shortfall by 2030 (~10,000 nurses) CO Center for Nursing · Mercer
    North Carolina · 9 open
    Median pay $1,850 2-BR rent $1,389 State tax 3.99% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: ~12,500 RN shortfall by 2033 (~11%) NC Nursecast · UNC Sheps
    Mississippi · 4 open
    Median pay $1,741 2-BR rent $1,033 State tax 4.0% flat Compact ✓
    Outlook: Statewide balance; Delta/Gulf-Coast distribution demand HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Hawaii · 6 open
    Median pay $1,970 2-BR rent $2,545 State tax up to 11.0% (graduated) Compact No
    Outlook: Surplus statewide; neighbor-island/specialty gaps HRSA 2023–2038 · long-term
    Florida · 3 open
    Median pay $1,782 2-BR rent $1,933 State tax 0% Compact ✓
    Outlook: 59,000+ nurse shortage by 2035 (vacancy 7.8%) FL Hospital Assn.
    California · 8 open
    Median pay $1,949 2-BR rent $2,674 State tax up to 13.3% (graduated) Compact No
    Outlook: ~78,000 RNs not working in nursing (57% age 65+) CA BRN · UCSF 2022
    Texas · 19 open
    Median pay $1,508 2-BR rent $1,520 State tax 0% Compact ✓
    Outlook: 57,000+ RN shortfall by 2032 (~16%) TX DSHS 2024 · 739 hospitals
    No states match those filters. Try removing one.
    Market-outlook figures cited to each state's primary source.
    Illustrative only — not take-home pay or tax advice. Travel pay often includes tax-free stipends, and no-income-tax states stretch further. Estimated value = median weekly contract pay × 4.33 weeks, minus the typical 2-BR rent. Pay & open jobs: live Advantis inventory; 2-BR rent: HUD FMR FY2026; state income tax: Tax Foundation 2026; compact: NCSBN.
    Good to know

    FAQs - Travel Nurse Jobs Med Surg

    Do Med Surg travel nurses need the CMSRN certification?
    Usually not. An active RN license and current BLS cover the typical Med Surg contract, and units that monitor cardiac patients may also look for ACLS. The CMSRN, the specialty's MSNCB credential, isn't required, but it can strengthen an application for nurses who meet the eligibility rules. If you're eligible, sitting for it between contracts is one of the cheaper ways to stand out in a crowded med-surg applicant pool.
    What do Med Surg travel nurses earn?
    Med Surg weekly pay moves with location, shift, overtime, and how acute the unit is, so it changes week to week rather than holding one number. Each listing carries its live weekly rate, and the pay chart maps the range across open contracts, so you can size up an offer before applying. As a rule, monitored floors, night shifts, and float-heavy units post stronger rates than daytime general floors.
    What kinds of patients do Med Surg travel nurses care for?
    Medical-surgical nurses handle a broad adult inpatient mix: post-op recovery, chronic conditions like diabetes and COPD, infections, and new medical diagnoses. Acuity varies by floor, and many units fold in telemetry or step-down patients, so the load leans on prioritization and steady reassessment. That breadth is the specialty's advantage for travelers: the skills transfer across nearly every hospital, so you're rarely boxed into one kind of unit or market.
    How is Med Surg different from telemetry, step-down, or PCU?
    Med Surg covers the broadest range of general adult inpatient care, typically at the highest patient-to-nurse ratios of these settings. Telemetry adds continuous cardiac monitoring to a similar population, while step-down or progressive care (PCU) sits a level higher in acuity, with closer monitoring and fewer patients per nurse. How those numbers shake out varies by facility, so two assignments with the same Med Surg title can run very differently in practice.
    Do Med Surg travel nurses float to other units?
    Frequently. Many med-surg contracts include floating, and when census or staffing changes a traveler may be moved to telemetry, observation, or another inpatient floor. Float rules vary by hospital and contract, so it's worth pinning down which units are in the pool, which patient types are off-limits, and whether charge duties can land on you before you sign.
    What experience do Med Surg travel contracts expect?
    Many contracts ask for about one to two years of recent Med Surg experience, since travelers take a full assignment with little orientation. Comfort juggling several patients and some telemetry exposure both help, and monitored floors usually expect current BLS plus ACLS. If your last staff role mixed in step-down patients, say so, it widens which floors will take you.
    How long are Med Surg travel contracts?
    Med Surg assignments are typically structured around 13-week terms, with extensions possible when a unit wants to keep a nurse it trusts. Shorter and longer terms come up too, and many travelers move from one contract into the next, since Med Surg demand holds steady year-round. Ask early how the unit handles extensions; managers often decide weeks before the term ends.
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