Published Aug 30, 2020
mvnRN, BSN, RN
4 Posts
I left the floor during covid to start a new position in the GI lab. I like it a lot so far but with everything going on with covid my orientation was kind of cut short unfortunately. I’m on my own now which is okay for the most part I am comfortably independent in pre/post and general GI but I still have so much to learn. Our lab does general uppers/colons as well as eus, ercp, pegs, bravos, endo flips, and motility studies.
One problem now is this GI lab is not an awesome learning environment. I don’t have one true mentor/preceptor and a lot of the nurses I’m learning from just do things the way they’ve been doing them for 20+ years so I don’t know that I’m always learning best practice.
My main issue though is that the GIs I’m working with don’t like talking during procedures. I have so many questions that I don’t get the chance to ask because there is no talking during procedure and everyone is rushed and running around flipping the room between procedures.
With all that being said if anyone has any resources where I can learn more about endoscopy nursing in my own time I would really appreciate it!
roseynurse345
160 Posts
I have "The Little GI Book: An Easily Digestible Guide to Understanding Gastroenterology". This book is helpful regarding medical diagnosis and it is easy to read, it would not be helpful with the nursing aspect. However, it may give you more insight and knowledge.
Thanks I’ll definitely look into it! That’s kind of what I’m looking for, rationales to what I’m seeing/doing during the procedures.
kagarciaRN, BSN
15 Posts
Have you spoken with manager about your concerns? This sounds to me like a poor work environment. Are you taking call?
It’s not a great work environment at all. I’m on call this week actually. I’m kind of brushed off by the anm when I talk to her about it and she thanks me for being understanding/flexible about my less than ideal orientation (I also didn’t mention that I was redeployed to work float pool for 6 weeks in April/May when the lab was slow due to covid). The actual manager is newer to the department than I am and we don’t really have an educator either.
LKJ
1 Post
I am too looking into getting a book to help with learning. I had an interview and I'm hoping I get it! I was looking at either the little GI book, or Manual for GI endoscopic nurses.
RNCHN, BSN, RN
6 Posts
Hi everyone,
I recently made the jump to Endoscopy Suite and felt the same way about my orientation. The unit is inherently busy because procedures are short, patient acuity varies, and there are so many moving parts from scheduling, to the procedure, to recovery and scope processing. Anyways. I have found some sources that helped get a handle on things in addition to the hands-on experience. I suggest 3 sources.
1. this book John Hopkins Manual for Endoscopic Nurses, It is geared towards the skills need for nursing care in these areas.
https://www.amazon.com/John-Hopkins-Manual-Endoscopic-Nurses/dp/1617110515/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_2/133-8977778-1154823?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1617110515&pd_rd_r=72e667ba-dadc-4687-823e-b7b36bea5d66&pd_rd_w=WvOf6&pd_rd_wg=GUUAa&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=27CH66Q78R2MPTDMF452&psc=1&refRID=27CH66Q78R2MPTDMF452
2. I also suggest clicking through the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy website. It has an online learning platform called GI leap learning.
https://www.Google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjBjeuAtoXsAhWRm-AKHQYQD5cQFjAAegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asge.org%2F&usg=AOvVaw1LgwhrCA9eMPKCt_326Dd7
3. Society of Gastrointestinal Nurses and Associates, (SGNA) site.
Good luck on your new path.