Gastroenterology nurses care for patients who have been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal tract condition or injury to that system. When gastroenterology nurses work in an endoscopy/colonoscopy clinic, they are sometimes known as endoscopy nurses. But gastroenterology nurses as a whole can treat a much wider variety of patients. Nurses in this specialty must be familiar with how the gastrointestinal (GI) system works and be able to help the medical team catch complications early. They can work with patients of any age and in several health settings.
Where Do Gastroenterology Nurses Work?
Gastroenterology nurses work wherever patients seek care for GI issues. Some common employment settings can include:
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
- Physician offices
- Skilled nursing facilities
When gastroenterology nurses work in the hospital, they typically treat patients who have an urgent GI event, like a small bowel obstruction or a traumatic injury. They may also see patients recovering after a GI surgery like a colectomy or a colostomy placement.
In physician offices, gastroenterology nurses see patients for regular check-ups, for any non-urgent problems that pop up, or to follow up after a hospital stay. In this role, nurses may see many patients a day and focus on assessment and education.
Home health care offers gastroenterology nurses the chance to treat patients at home, usually after a hospitalization. Sometimes patients need IV antibiotics or dressing changes once they return home, and gastroenterology nurses can offer support and education for a successful recovery.
When gastroenterology nurses work in endoscopy clinics, they prep patients for procedures, assist in those procedures, and monitor their recovery afterward. Some long-term care facilities hire gastroenterology nurses, but this work setting may require more broad skills beyond the GI specialty.
No matter where they work, gastroenterology nurses may treat patients with these GI diagnoses:
- Celiac disease
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis
- Gallstones
- Inguinal hernia
- Pancreatitis
- Ulcerative colitis
What Does a Gastroenterology Nurse Do?
Gastroenterology nurses treat the entire gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to exit. As a result, they need to know how to assess these areas and access them if needed. Gastroenterology nurses quickly get familiar with nasogastric (NG) tubes, enema kits, listening for bowel sounds, and cheering with enthusiasm when a patient passes gas after surgery.
Some common gastroenterology nursing tasks may include:
- Administering medications
- Assessing and dressing wounds
- Central line access and management
- Checking NG placement
- Collecting body fluid samples for laboratory testing
- Educating patients and their families on their condition and treatment
- Emptying and changing ostomy bags
- Head to toe assessment
- Inserting and managing NG tubes
- Inserting and managing rectal tubes
- IV insertion and management
- Listening for bowel sounds
- Monitoring and administering tube feedings
- Performing enemas
This list can grow or shrink depending on the workplace. For example, gastroenterology nurses who work in an endoscopy clinic may need to learn how to manage conscious sedation during procedures, while those who work in long-term care will see far less central lines and rectal tubes. However, all gastroenterology nurses must treat their patients with respect and compassion, providing education where it’s needed and helping patients along the road to recovery.
How Do I Become a Gastroenterology Nurse?
To become gastroenterology nurses, candidates first have to graduate from an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN typically takes two years to complete and a BSN can take four. However, some programs offer an accelerated option that can be finished in as little as a year. After graduation, nurses may apply to gastroenterology nursing jobs right away.
Many facilities hire graduate nurses (GNs) to train on their units under a nurse preceptor while they prepare to take their state licensing exam: the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). After passing the NCLEX, nurses can practice on their own as registered nurses (RNs) once they finish their facility’s orientation.
- At least two years or 4,000 hours of experience working as a gastrointestinal nurse
How Much Does a Gastroenterology Nurse Make Per Year?
Registered nurses make an average of $81,220 per year as of 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and a gastroenterology nurse can expect to earn the same. This amount can vary depending on your work setting and the cost of living in the area. The low-end average is $61,250, and the high-end is $129,400. Depending on where you work, your employer may be able to offer higher or lower compensation:
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $90,600
- Offices of Physicians: $79,810
- Outpatient Care Centers: $97,200
- Home Health Care Services: $82,920
- Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities): $77,190
Salaries also vary depending on which state a gastroenterology nurse practices. The West Coast, some New England states, and Alaska may pay their nurses the best, but they also have a higher cost of living. The lowest paying states are in the Midwest and some southeastern states.
The top paying areas for gastroenterology nurses include:
- San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA
- Napa, CA
- Vallejo–Fairfield, CA
- New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ
- Yuba City, CA
Certified gastroenterology nurses can be paid more than a nurse who is not certified, depending on the facility. In general, the more experience and proof of expertise, the more a gastroenterology nurse will be able to earn.
Are Gastroenterology Nurses in High Demand?
In the United States, all nurses are currently in high demand. The nursing shortage continues to grow, with 24% of U.S. hospitals reporting critical staffing shortages, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hospitals in at least eight states have been forced to call in help from the military to staff their facilities.
The Centers for Disease Control report that 35 million Americans a year schedule a visit with their healthcare provider for GI-related issues, and eight million go to the emergency room for the same. Gastrointestinal medical care is a growing area of medicine, and gastroenterology nurses should see an increasing demand for their skills and knowledge.
