An endoscopy nurse works within the endoscopy unit of a hospital or other medical institution. They use endoscopes, which are miniature cameras that medical professionals use to view problems within the body, usually originating in the genitourinary system or the digestive system.
Nurses are usually involved with sedation and post-procedure care. By working within different medical centers, endoscopy nurses experience different responsibilities and roles. Some doctors give more independence to nurses within this profession, while others prefer to perform much of the work themselves. Endoscopy nurses are sometimes called gastroenterology nurses due to the focus area during procedures.
Endoscopy nurses function as essential members of healthcare teams, preparing patients for procedures and helping during those procedures along with screenings. Endoscopy nurses also help treat and diagnose respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and diseases.
Responsible for treating patients who suffer from a variety of diseases, injuries, and disorders in the upper and lower digestive tract, endoscopy nurses treat diseases like reflux, constipation, food allergies, chronic diarrhea, and ulcers. They help with bronchoscopy procedures, which visualize the respiratory organs.
