Name: Tramaine Tillis Topic: Gastroenterology Nurse

1. Educational Requirements
To become a Gastroenterology nurse, a person must have a degree in Associate Science
of Nursing or Bachelor Science of Nursing degree. They also have to pass the NCLEX exam.
From there, they can began working as RN and have to work as RN in Gastroenterology for 36
months, including 18 clinical experiences. Nurses then, have to take the Certified
Gastroenterology Specialty Nurse exam (CGSN) and pass and then after that they are a Certified
Gastroenterology Register Nurse (CGRN).

2. Specific Responsibilities
Gastroenterology nurses are typically registered nurses who diagnose and treat patients
experiencing problems with the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract. The nurse diagnose
diseases like cancer or reflux. They also teach patients how to manage symptoms in their daily
life. Sometimes, in extreme cases gastroenterology nurses have to assist physicians and
nutritionists in surgery with the stomach, esophagus and the bowels. Gastroenterology nurses
may have to do research and also assist home care specialist with patients.
3. Advantages/Disadvantages
One advantage of being a gastroenterology nurse is they have the chance to work with
children of all ages, adults and the elderly. Also, another advantage of this career is you have the
chance to assist in surgery or be part of endoscopy. Gastroenterology jobs are increasing around
the world so that would be another advantage. One disadvantage of being gastroenterology nurse
is the nurse is only seeing patients with problems that pertain to the digestive tract and
gastrointestinal tract. Another, disadvantage of being a gastroenterology nurse is most days
you’re working; you may be the only nurse that sees the patients that are schedule for
appointment. In this case, a nurse would be working at private office or at physician office. Some
days may be really busy and you may have to see 10 people in one day.
4. Schedule/career mobility/salary
Gastroenterology nurses schedules are flexible. The shifts are based on rotation among
the nurses. A typical nurse in this filed usually work 5 days a week and working 8hour shifts.
They usually have weekends off and holidays as will. Nurses that work in a hospital setting may
have to work 1 weekend a month. Gastroenterology nurses have the chance to become a
supervisor or assist doctors in surgery. Lastly, average salary for gastroenterology nurses is
63,000 to 85,000 per year but actual salaries vary widely according to location and education.

vmodell: 11/2015
 References

Nursing license map. (2009) Certified gastroenterology register nurse. Retrieved on November
23, 2015 from
http://nursinglicensemap.com/advanced-practice-nursing/gastroenterology-nursing/

Gastroenterology nurse salary. (2015) Indeed.com. Retrieved November 23, 2015 from
http://www.indeed.com/salary/Gastroenterology-Nurse.html

Fitzpatrick, J. & Ea, E. (2012). 201 Careers in nursing (p.71). New York, NY: Springer.

Arnoldussen, B. (2007). Nursing as your new profession (p.101). New York, NY: Kaplan.

vmodell: 11/2015