THE SPECIALTY
1. Where GI nurses work
- Hospital endoscopy unitsScopes for inpatients and outpatients
- Outpatient GI centersScheduled procedures all day
- GI clinicsFollow-up visits and teaching
A TYPICAL DAY
2. How the day flows
- Pre-procedure checks and teachingEvery patient, every time
- Helping during proceduresMonitoring and supporting the team
- Recovery and discharge teachingThen the next patient
SKILLS YOU USE
3. What makes a strong GI nurse
- Close monitoringPatients recovering from sedation
- Fast, clear patient teachingPrep, procedure and aftercare
- Teamwork in a fast-paced roomMany cases a day
THE PERKS
4. Why nurses love it
- Mostly daytime hoursAt many units and centers
- Fewer or no weekendsDepending on the employer
- Some units have on-call shiftsFor emergency procedures
Schedules vary by employer.
HOW TO GET IN
5. Your path into GI
- Build acute-care experience first
- Ask to shadow your hospital's endoscopy unit
- Highlight sedation and monitoring skills
- Later: the CGRN certification from ABCGN
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