Rozina Aziz In this article, we’ll discuss what does an endoscopy nurse do?. How one may train to become one, the common qualifications for such a nurse and the average salary one can expect to make in this specialty.
What is an endoscopy nurse?
Endoscopy nurses have specialized knowledge and clinical experience that supports doctors and surgeons in diagnosing and assessing a wide range of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, including ulcers, cancer, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and more!
Doctors often use a fiber optic cable to see inside a patient’s digestive tract and take pictures to get a better look at a sickness or other issue. Doctors and surgeons then use these images and the data they gleaned to diagnose and treat patients with health issues.
What Does An Endoscopy Nurse Do?
You will find that your day as an endoscopy nurse is nonstop action, with patients coming in at all hours. Throughout the procedure, you will ensure the patient’s safety and well-being by tending to their comfort, relaxation, discomfort, and anxiety levels.
The endoscopy nurse is responsible for preparing the patient for the surgery by administering any necessary drugs, sedation, and positioning aids like stirrups or footrests. An endoscopy nurse ensures a comfortable experience for patients who need an internal check-up – scoping out any changes in the body’s gastrointestinal tract or other hollow organs.
The endoscopy nurse’s duties include taking notes about the patient and the procedure and keeping track of the patient’s vital signs. Taking care of a patient will always be an adventure.
Regular responsibilities of an endoscopy nurse include:
- Patient education and preparation for various procedures
- Helping medical professionals do endoscopy and colonoscopy
- Maintenance of the instruments and materials used in the procedure includes preparation, cleaning, and sterilization.
- Educating patients on the importance of diet in the treatment of specific gastrointestinal disorders
- Giving and checking on the patient’s sedative
- Injecting patients with drugs and administering IVs
- Facilitating post-operative healing
- Checking in on patients’ vitals before, during, and after operations
- Addressing patients’ worries and queries before and following operations
- Keeping records of patients’ health statuses
- updating patient records and filling out discharge paperwork
Where Do Endoscopy Nurses Work?
Staff nursing positions are common for endoscopy nurses in hospitals and medical centers. Nurses with a background in this area may also find work in management.
Hospitals
Nurses specializing in endoscopy are essential to hospitals because they keep tabs on patients’ health, stay by their sides during surgeries and recovery, and educate patients and families about diagnostics and therapies.
Clinics Specializing on Gastrointestinal Disorders
In these contexts, endoscopy nurses act as disease detectives and illness managers. Procedures, cancer tests, and assisting patients with illnesses like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are all part of a nurse’s repertoire of responsibilities.
Laboratory Management for Endoscopy
RNs who specialize in endoscopy demonstrate their expertise by leading technicians and other healthcare professionals as part of the endoscopy team within hospitals and clinical labs. They handle the protocols for preparing and cleaning equipment and ensuring that all team members adhere to safety regulations.
What are important skills for endoscopy nurses?
An endoscopy nurse’s checklist often includes the following skills:
Communication
Endoscopy nurses must possess outstanding communication abilities, both verbally and in writing! Endoscopy nurses must be able to communicate effectively with patients, inform them of any dietary restrictions or illnesses, and follow the instructions of doctors and other health care professionals. These nurses rely on their writing skills to effectively document patient care and to fill out release forms.
Analysis
Endoscopy nurses employ their analytical skills to examine patient endoscopy pictures. Nurses trained in endoscopy use the pictures obtained during the procedure to diagnose a patient’s symptoms and offer treatment options like medication or dietary changes. The endoscopy nurse helps doctors and surgeons diagnose patients, but their education and understanding of medicine can help them better explain their results to their doctors.
Organization
Endoscopy nurses must be well-organized to keep track of the various clinical instruments they might need to employ during treatments, such as the endoscopic procedure they maintain and clean. When working with multiple patients at once, endoscopy nurses need to have excellent memory and organizational abilities to keep track of all the paperwork and notes they need to keep track of. As a result, they can keep close tabs on their patients and administer prompt therapy.
Health-related expertise
One of the most important skills for a nurse is a solid grasp of the medical field. A nurse’s knowledge of medical equipment, clinical instruments, and how to respond to questions from patients and doctors is crucial, regardless of whether they are performing a treatment, giving advice, or doling out medication. Nurses who specialize in endoscopy frequently have extensive training in using endoscopic procedures.
Focus on Specifics
Endoscopy nurses employ their keen observational skills and knowledge of anatomy to diagnose patients during endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures. They distinguish these diseases from other similar ones that patients may have. Endoscopy nurses have the unique ability to examine endoscopic images in great detail and use their expert medical knowledge to pick out minute features that aid in making a correct diagnosis and planning effective therapy for their patients.
How to Become an Endoscopy Nurse?
If you’re interested in becoming an endoscopy nurse, here’s a list of things you can do to get started:
Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a good first step toward a nursing profession. A two-year associate degree in nursing or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing equips students with the necessary background knowledge and abilities for entry-level positions in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Both degrees lead to the same result—registration as a nurse—but a bachelor’s degree is typically required for employment in specialized settings within the healthcare industry.
Obtain your nursing license.
To obtain a license to practice nursing, an individual must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN assesses the skills and knowledge necessary for successful nursing practice.
The length and difficulty of the exam questions students answer change according to how well they do. Successful test takers can then apply for their nursing licenses and get to work in the field.
Acquire Useful Experience
Experience in the field is crucial for nurses seeking to specialize in a particular practice area, as it provides opportunities to hone their technical abilities and expand their knowledge base. To become an endoscopy nurse, you need to be a registered nurse.
However, having experience in patient care can be beneficial while earning your bachelor’s degree. You can improve your qualifications for endoscopy nursing jobs by working in any field involving customer interaction.
Become officially recognized
Endoscopy nurses may find increased opportunities to pursue their professional goals by pursuing certification through the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN). ABCGN-certified nurses have the amazing distinction of passing a rigorous test (with 175 questions!) and boasting several years of nursing experience.
Questions pertaining to gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing are included in the certification exam. Registered nurses must stay up to date with their certification by retaking the exam every five years: a small effort for a big reward!
Should I Pursue Endoscopy Nursing?
Endoscopy is a rapidly growing field of medicine, and nurses who specialize in it should expect to find satisfying employment prospects.
Endoscopy nurses rise to the challenge of providing quality care, despite physical and emotional burdens, and share in job satisfaction that comes through success!
What is the Average Salary for Endoscopy Nurses?
According to PayScale, registered nurses (RNs) who enter the field of endoscopy may expect incomes that are on par with those of nurses who specialize in pediatrics or geriatrics. There is no breakdown of salaries for endoscopy nurses within the RN category by the BLS. All RNs make between $53,000 and $116,000 annually. However, salaries vary widely depending on variables like one’s geographic region, amount of schooling, years of clinical experience, and specialty certification.
The wage ranges for endoscopy nurses are generally comparable to the BLS values for registered nurses. Salary information compiled by PayScale places the average annual income of an endoscopy nurse at $103,000. Experienced Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioners can look forward to an annual salary of up to $127,000 – the perfect reward for achieving their Master’s degree and national certification.
FAQ’s
Is endoscopy nursing a demanding specialty?
This is a draining activity. Endoscopy nursing involves a range of physical responsibilities that can be challenging. You will be responsible for transferring patients from their beds to other locations or onto stretchers for transport.
What are other names for endoscopy nurses?
Endoscopy nurses also referred to as gastroenterology nurses, play a crucial role in the healthcare team by preparing patients for procedures and assisting with diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal and respiratory problems.
Can a nurse perform an endoscopy?
In ordinary clinical practice, experienced nurses are just as safe doing diagnostic gastroscopies as doctors, and patients report feeling just as little discomfort from the procedure.
What is the difference between an endoscopy and a gastroscopy?
During an endoscopy, a specialized camera is used to examine the internal workings of the digestive system. Gastroscopy is a diagnostic procedure that examines the stomach and duodenum. An endoscopy of the stomach is done while the patient is sedated minimally.
Is an endoscopy a major or small operation?
An endoscopy is a very gentle invasive treatment. However, be sure to schedule some downtime for recovery afterward.
