An endoscopy nurse works with physicians and other healthcare professionals during procedures to screen, diagnose, and treat respiratory and gastroenterological conditions. Registered nurses (RNs) who enter this specialty find rewarding employment opportunities in both clinical positions and supervisory roles.
The scope of practice for an endoscopy nurse includes assisting the surgical team during endoscopic procedures; providing patient care before, during, and after the procedure; and educating patients about treatment. RNs in endoscopic practice must acquire specialized knowledge about gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and the skills to use and maintain endoscopic equipment, administer medication, and manage emergencies and complications.
Endoscopic nurses carry out a variety of clinical and supervisory roles and responsibilities depending on the specific employment setting.
Certification Option: Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse
Many endoscopy nurses find employment as staff nurses in hospitals or specialty clinics. RNs in this field may also enter administrative positions.
RNs who pursue endoscopy nurse jobs can find rewarding career opportunities in this expanding area of healthcare. While all RNs experience work-related emotional and physical challenges, endoscopy nurses express a high degree of job satisfaction delivering quality patient care in a specialized field.
RNs entering endoscopy practice can expect competitive salaries compared to other RN specialties, such as pediatrics or geriatrics, according to PayScale. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not distinguish salary data for endoscopy nurses from the general category for RNs. Annual earnings for all RNs range from $53,000 to $116,000. However, salary levels fluctuate depending on factors, such as location, years of clinical experience, educational attainment, and specialty certification.
Endoscopy nurse salary levels reflect the BLS ranges for all RNs. According to PayScale, endoscopy nurses earn between $47,000 and $103,000 a year. Gastroenterology nurse practitioners, who must hold at least a master’s including national certification to practice, earn higher annual salaries, making between $85,000 and $127,000 a year.
Find State-Specific Salary Data HereAn ADN degree typically takes two years to complete, while a BSN can require four years of study. After earning their degree, prospective nurses must take the NCLEX-RN and satisfy the nursing licensure requirements for their state. Endoscopy nurses who intend to pursue certification must complete two years of RN clinical experience directly in the field.
Although the terms are often used interchangeably for any RN working in endoscopy practice, the endoscopy specialty focuses on the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, while gastroenterology covers the entire GI system. Master’s-trained nurses, who typically earn a nurse practitioner specialty and gastroenterology certification, receive more extensive training beyond a general GI focus.
These nurses apply their training to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the upper and lower digestive tract and respiratory organs. They may treat patients with cancer, bronchial infections, and ulcers. They also have training in more common conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, liver cirrhosis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Depending on the workplace setting, endoscopy nurses often work in challenging, fast-paced environments, requiring attention to detail and the ability to deal with anxious patients prior to, during, and after procedures. Because these nurses routinely work with patients and families, emergency situations, and life-threatening conditions, they may experience emotional exhaustion.
Nicole Galan, RN, MSN is a registered nurse who started in a general medical/surgical care unit and then moved to infertility care where she worked for almost 10 years. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students. Galan currently works as a full-time freelancer and recently earned her master’s degree in nursing education from Capella University.
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