What Is a Gastroenterology Nurse and How to Become One
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What Does a Gastroenterology Nurse Do?
A gastroenterology nurse primarily focuses on treating patients suffering from diseases and disorders of the digestive tract. These nurses face treatment of disorders and illnesses such as constipation, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and others. Nurses in this career are often skilled in performing an endoscopy, which involves inserting a fiber-optic tube with a camera into the bowels to view the intestinal lining. Before performing these procedures, the gastroenterology nurse will review a patient’s medical history and collect samples that will help with the endoscopy. The best nurses will explain the different options available to a patient and the benefits and risks associated with each. A gastroenterology nurse may also assist during surgical procedures.
How to Become a Gastroenterology Nurse
To become a gastroenterology nurse, you will first need to become a registered nurse (RN) by earning a nursing degree and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). It is not uncommon for nurses to have advanced education such as a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree (BSN) or a master’s of science in nursing degree (MSN). To become certified as a gastroenterology nurse you can obtain licensure through the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses, or ABCGN. Qualifications for certification include two years of full-time experience or 4,000 hours of part-time experience in a gastroenterology setting. Skills for nurses in this branch of medicine include an understanding of math and science, as well as human physiology. Patience, selflessness, and a caring heart are also necessary since you will be working with ill patients.
