Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA): You’ll find events, courses, networking opportunities and more when you visit their website.
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Learn how to become an endoscopy nurse
Endoscopy nurse career overview
Where you’ll work: Gastroenterology specialty clinics, hospitals, endoscopy labs
What you’ll do: Monitor vital signs, observe patients throughout procedures and recovery and provide information to patients and caregivers about tests and treatments.
Minimum degree required: ADN or BSN, passing the NCLEX-RN and gaining clinical experience
Who it’s a good fit for: People who are can handle stressful situations, enjoy working in challenging, fast-paced environments, who have a high attention to detail and enjoy working with people, as these nurses may need to deal with anxious patients prior to, during and after procedures.
Opportunities if you pursue a higher degree or certification: Can move into administrative roles supervising technicians and other endoscopy teams. May manage other nurses in clinical labs or hospitals.
Median annual salary: $93,600
Endoscopy nursing is a challenging and growing specialty. These nurses step into a hands-on role during endoscopies and take care to ensure patients are safe and comfortable throughout the procedure. Endoscopy nurses work directly with gastroenterologists. Some hospitals and other healthcare facilities refer to endoscopy nurses as gastroenterologist nurses or GI nurses.
With its mix of patient care duties and procedural irresponsibilities, endoscopy nursing can be a great fit for nurses who are detail-oriented and who enjoy a challenging and collaborative environment.
“Nurses who enjoy a fast-paced, challenging environment where they can interact and connect with their patients are drawn to gastroenterology nursing. GI nurses love learning and collaborating with their physician partners to bring expert care to their patients,” said Judith (Judy) Currier BSN, RN, CGRN, who serves as the President-Elect for the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA).
If it sounds like endoscopy nursing could be a good fit for you, read on to learn more about this exciting nursing specialty.
In this Article
Understanding the role | Education path | Earning certification | Careers | Resources | Is endoscopy nursing right for me?
The role of the endoscopy nurse
Endoscopy nursing takes skills such as compassion, communication, organization, dedication and technical know-how. During your workday as an endoscopy nurse, you’ll take on a variety of challenging tasks. As is true in many nursing roles, one of your primary responsibilities will be patient care. As an endoscopy nurse, you’ll advocate for your patients before, during and after their endoscopic procedures. You’ll answer questions, monitor patients for pain, provide discharge instructions and support patients throughout the procedure.
Beyond patient direct care, endoscopy nurses are also tasked with:
Currier says that endoscopy nurses work with gastroenterologists to perform a range of endoscopies, going well beyond standard procedures such as colonoscopies.
“Nurses in endoscopy assist in the most complicated procedures,” Currier said. “They assist in advanced procedures like peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), stenting pancreatic pseudocysts, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound.”
Education path to an endoscopy nursing career
- Your Education:
- Aspiring endoscopy nurses can choose from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. An ADN offers a faster route that might be more affordable for some students. However, some employers prefer nurses who’ve earned BSNs, and earning one can set the stage for future career advancement.
- The NCLEX-RN exam:
- The NCLEX-RN is a national exam. You’ll need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN before you can apply for licensure.
- Your registered nurse state license:
- Every state in the country has its own requirements for RN licensure. Once you’ve completed your education, you’ll need to apply with your state’s Board Of Nursing following their specific application requirements.
- Endoscopy nurse experience:
- It’s not always necessary to have in endoscopy or a similar role, but it can help. Taking a nursing role in a surgical, gastroenterology, or endoscopy unit can be a great way to gain career experience.
- Endoscopy nurse certification (optional):
- You won’t be required to earn certification before you can work as an endoscopy nurse, but it is recommended. Endoscopy nurses are certified through the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN).
Benefits of earning certification
The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates recommends certification for all nurses working in endoscopy and gastroenterology. Currier explained why:
“Earning certification in Gastroenterology tells the patient that the nurse is dedicated to their specialty and provides exceptional best practices,” Currier said. She went on to explain that certification can help nurses land roles with top employers, such as magnet hospitals. “Many magnet hospitals encourage nurses to pursue their certification. The Certified Gastroenterology Nurse credential meets the requirements for these Magnet hospitals.”
You’ll need to gain some experience as an endoscopy nurse before you can apply for certification. “Nurses can pursue certification after two years of full-time practice or 4,000 hours part time in a GI nursing setting,” Currier told us.
Career paths for endoscopy nurses
Endoscopy nurses can find work in a variety of settings. For instance, it’s common to find roles in the specialty in hospitals, surgical centers and outpatient clinics. A nurse’s exact tasks can vary depending on the facility, but all endoscopy nurses provide patient care and assist physicians during endoscopic procedures.
Endoscopy nurses might also use their skills and experience to make career steps such as earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or taking on roles such as nurse navigation.
Job growth for endoscopy nurses is expected to be faster than average through 2034 (4.9%) says the BLS.
“The GI nursing field is growing,” Currier said. “Advanced-degree nurses work with gastroenterologists to provide care for their patients. Nurse navigators help patients through their GI journey. Additionally, nurses can branch out into specialties within endoscopy nursing, such as ambulatory care, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary care.”
Technology and endoscopy nurses
Endoscopy nurses with work with endoscopes and other specialized tools. These tools can change as technology continues to improve. In the past several years, endoscopy nurses have seen several advancements come to endoscopes. “Endoscopy nursing is constantly evolving with the technology developed for GI procedures,” Currier told us.
“Endoscopes have moved from fiberoptic to high-definition video, which helps the endoscopist see the most minor lesions to help prevent colon cancer. Some scopes thread through the scope to visualize the common bile duct and visually address lesions and stones.”
Resources for staying current as an endoscopy nurse
It’s important to keep up with the latest developments in any career field. It can be especially important for professionals such as endoscopy nurses who use highly specialized equipment to help perform medical procedures. Industry associations and journals are a great way to stay current. They can also help nurses network, earn continuing education credits, find job opportunities and more. Endoscopy nurses can look into:
The American Gastroenterologic Association (AGA). The AGA offers events, learning opportunities and industry journals to its members.
American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN). The ABCGN is a certifying body, offering resources for nurses pursuing certification or looking to renew their current certification.
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). You can connect with other professionals, read industry publications, register for events and more when you join ASGE.
Is endoscopy nursing your calling?
- Are you a compassionate and detail-oriented RN with a passion for patient care?
- Are you great at communication, collaboration and teamwork?
- Are you a critical thinker with top-notch problem-solving skills?
- Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced and challenging environment?
- Do you have the technical skills to work with specialized tools and to adapt when new technologies improve those tools?
- Are you intrigued by the digestive system and the role of endoscopy in diagnosis and treatment?
Endoscopy nursing can be a great career fit for people with these qualities. It’s a rewarding way to combine nursing and technical skills, and it can provide opportunities for learning and growth.
Ready to get started?
If endoscopy nursing sounds like it could be the nursing specialty for you, finding the right accredited nursing program is your first step. The right ADN or BSN program will give you the education you need to earn licensure and pursue a challenging and fulfilling career as an endoscopy nurse.