Medical-surgical nursing is a nursing specialty area concerned with the care of adult patients in a broad range of settings. The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) is a specialty nursing organization dedicated to nurturing medical-surgical nurses as they advance their careers. Traditionally, medical surgical nursing was an entry-level position that most nurses viewed as a stepping stone to specialty areas. Medical-surgical nursing is the largest group of professionals in the field of nursing. Advances in medicine and nursing have resulted in medical-surgical nursing evolving into its own specialty. Medical-surgical nursing is the foundation of all nursing practice. Once upon a time and not so very long ago, all nurses practiced the art and science of nursing on wards; everyone was a medical or surgical nurse that is where all nursing started. Today, many nurses choose to practice in the specialty of medical-surgical nursing. Medical-surgical nursing has evolved from an entry level position to a distinct specialty. It is no longer viewed as a stepping-stone, but is the solid rock and the backbone of every institution. Medical-surgical nurses are the largest group of practicing professionals. It is one of the most demanding nursing specialties. The book Medical-Surgical Nursing is a clear presentation of patient care, with its consistent format and narrative text, boxes, tables, graphics, and photographs. This book is built around functional health patterns, a frameworkused by many schools of nursing.