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Field Description
Gastroenterology (GI) nursing is a specialty practice area in which
nurses provide care to patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal
problems who are undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic treatment
or procedures. For upper GI or endoscopic procedures, this care
is provided by specially trained endoscopy nurses.
Endoscopy nurses are experienced in assessing, planning, implementing,
supervising and evaluating direct and indirect nursing care for
patients in the endoscopy setting. They also assist the physician
performing the procedure and help maintain the specialized equipment
in the endoscopy suite.
The roles that endoscopy nurses perform depend upon education,
licensure and experience. In most cases, their responsibilities
range from advanced roles performing screening and assisting with
endoscopies to equipment management and cleaning. Using a comprehensive
multidisciplinary approach to patient care, the endoscopy nurse
works closely with the entire GI surgery team.
The following program is offered:
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for endoscopy nurses are excellent. Nursing
is the largest health-care occupation, with more than two million
jobs. Overall, it’s one of the 10 occupations projected to
have the largest numbers of new jobs. Employment of nurses is expected
to grow faster than the average for all other occupations through
2010.
Endoscopy nurses practice in physician offices, inpatient and outpatient
endoscopy departments, ambulatory endoscopy centers and inpatient
hospital units. They are licensed in the state where they practice,
and generally have experience in medical-surgical nursing prior
to electing to specialize.
Endoscopy nurses may also work as supervisors, managers, head nurses,
staff nurses, nurse educators, and, with advanced education, may
pursue roles as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners.
Other careers may include medical sales/training or research.
Earning Potential
The median annual earnings of registered nurses were $25.16 per
hour in 2004. According to a survey of hospitals across the United
States, the national median annual salary of full-time registered
nurses in 2004 was $52,330. This represents base pay only; earnings
such as shift differentials provide additional compensation.
Thirty percent of all registered nurses earn between $40,040 and
$50,000 and another 16 percent earn from $50,000 to $89,000 annually.
Specialty nurses – such as endoscopy nurses who work in hospitals
and outpatient surgery facilities – can earn more than the
average for registered nurses.
Salary levels may vary with geographical location, scope of responsibility
and availability of applicants.
Professional Organization
Visit the following Web site to learn more about endoscopic nursing:
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