Endoscopy Nurse: Roles, Responsibilities, and Career Path

Introduction

Healthcare continues to evolve, and with the rise in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, endoscopy nurses play a main role in diagnosing and treating patients. These specialized nurses assist physicians during endoscopic procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort before, during, and after the procedure.

But what is an endoscopy nurse, and why is this career path so important? If you’re considering a nursing specialty that combines technical expertise with patient care, becoming an endoscopy nurse might be the perfect choice. Additionally, this guide will explore what an endoscopy nurse does, the required education and skills, job prospects, and salary expectations. Plus, we’ll outline how to become an endoscopy nurse and advance in this growing field.

What is an Endoscopy Nurse?

An endoscopy nurse is a registered nurse (RN) specializing in assisting with endoscopic procedures. There are multiple categories in endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies, gastroscopies, and bronchoscopies. Moreover, these are powerful diagnostic tools for analyzing medical conditions related to the digestive and respiratory systems.

Additionally, unlike normal nurses, endoscopic nurses have in-depth knowledge of endoscopic equipment, sedation management, and infection control. Moreover, they provide patient care before, during, and after the procedure.

Additionally, if you’re wondering, “what does an endoscopy nurse do?”, the next section will break down their key responsibilities.

What Does an Endoscopy Nurse Do?

Endoscopic procedures are designed to examine the inside of the body. Endoscopic nurses assist surgical teams by performing these procedures. Common examples include:

• Bronchoscopy (examines the airway and lungs)
• Colonoscopy (examines the colon)
• Laryngoscopy (examines the throat and voice box)
• Cystoscopy (examines the bladder)

Furthermore, endoscopic nurses not only provide endoscopic procedures, but they also help calm down the patients during the procedures. Moreover, they assist with patient preparation and provide post-procedure education on treatment and care.

Moreover, obtaining your RN licensure is a prerequisite for becoming an endoscopic nurse. After that, you need to gain specific clinical knowledge about gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary disorders as well as the abilities to use and maintain endoscopic equipment, give sedative medication, manage complications and emergencies, and get a patient ready for a sedative procedure.

Key Responsibilities of an Endoscopy Nurse

The duties of an endoscopic nurse can vary depending on their workplace; however, their common responsibilities are almost the same. They fall into three categories: pre-procedures preparation, intra-procedure assistance, and post-procedure care.

Pre-Procedure Responsibilities

• Assess patients for any allergies, medical conditions, or concerns.
• Explain the procedure, answer questions, and provide reassurance.
• Prepare and sterilize endoscopic instruments to maintain safety standards.
• Administer sedation and monitor the patient’s vital signs.

During the Procedure

• Assist the physician by handing over instruments and adjusting scopes.
• Monitor the patient’s vital signs and ensure their comfort.
• Handle specimens collected during the procedure for laboratory testing.

Post-Procedure Care

• Monitor the patient as they recover from sedation.
• Educate the patient on aftercare and potential side effects.
• Document observations and update medical records.

As a result, an endoscopy nurse must be highly skilled in-patient care, teamwork, and critical thinking to ensure a safe and efficient procedure.

How to Become a Certified Endoscopy Nurse?

Although different, this path is not difficult. Here is a simplified version of this trajectory:

Complete a Nursing Degree

This journey starts with a nursing degree. Moreover, following the casual path, these nurses normally hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Among these a BSN degree is preferable as it opens new gates of opportunities, and the employers also prefer it. Contrary to this, an ADN can provide a better and quicker route to start working as a nurse.

Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

Additionally, to become a licensed registered nurse (RN), you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) after earning your nursing degree. Moreover, this standardized test verifies that you possess the abilities and information required to work as a registered nurse.

Gain Clinical Experience

Endoscopic nursing is a specialty; however, it is a good idea to kickstart your career as a generic nurse or per diem nursing. However, there are multiple career options to choose from after adopting a nursing career, like an oncology nurse. It helps develop basic skills in nursing and then head onto specialization. Additionally, by learning basic skills like time management, patient care, and clinical techniques, you can start an endoscopic career easily.

Additionally, at least one to two years of experience in critical care or medical-surgical settings is required for the majority of endoscopic nursing posts.

Obtain Endoscopy Nursing Certification (optional but beneficial)

Although not necessary, a certification is always a good idea. Moreover, the highly regarded Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN) credential is offered by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA).

• Qualifications for Certification as a CGRN: Generally speaking, you must have worked as a GI or endoscopy nurse full-time for at least two years to take the CGRN exam.
• Advantages of Certification: A CGRN certification can boost employment prospects, earning potential, and self-assurance in delivering specialized patient care.

Apply for Endoscopy Nursing Positions

The next step is to find and apply for optimal jobs. There are multiple job positions you can apply for like hospitals, specialized gastroenterology centers, or outpatient clinics. Additionally, if you want to find a better job search option, HealthCareTalentLink (HCTL) is your trusted platform for finding optimal endoscopic nursing jobs with resume storage options. Moreover, do remote interviews with potential employers.

Continue Education

With the development of new tools, methods, and patient care guidelines, the field of endoscopic nursing is always changing. In order to maintain your certification or progress your career, endoscopy nurses may need to take continuing education (CE) courses and stay current on best practices.

Essential Skills for an Endoscopy Nurse

To excel in this field, an endoscopy nurse must possess a mix of technical and soft skills, including:

Technical Skills

• Mastery of endoscopic equipment and sedation protocols.
• Knowledge of infection control and sterilization techniques.
• Ability to respond to medical emergencies efficiently.

Patient Care Skills

• Strong communication skills to educate and reassure patients.
• Empathy and patience, especially for anxious patients. Attention to detail to prevent errors in patient care.

Critical Thinking & Adaptability

• Ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Adaptability to work with different physicians and procedures.
• Problem-solving skills for unexpected challenges during procedures.

Endoscopy Nurse Salary

One of the most common questions is, “What is the salary of an endoscopy nurse?”

The average endoscopy nurse salary in the U.S. ranges from $65,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on:

• Location: Nurses in major cities earn higher salaries.
• Experience Level: Senior nurses with certifications earn more.
• Work Setting: Hospital-based nurses may receive shift differentials.