Gastroenterology Nurses!?!?!

sjoe · Nov 18, 2003

http://www.salary.com for salaries and you might check out the gastroenterology nursing forum on this BB for other information.

Given this topic, you have an interesting username.

Brownms46 · Nov 18, 2003

I did a 6 mos contract in a GI specialty unit, and working per diem in a free standing GI center.

Some of the advantages I have found. For one....Just about all of the GI docs I have worked with, are the easiest going people ever! They LOVE to teach, and are easy to talk to, and willing to listen! They give positive feedback, and for the most part, take good care of their nurses. So far I have worked with about 10 or 12 now, and I have no complaint about any of them!

When I was in the hospital recently, they came to visit me, even though I only have work a short time with them. When I came back, they gave me hugs, and took the time to ask how I was:)!

I have found that many of the nurses I have worked with in GI procedures units, have rarely left after coming to work there. Especially the units, where there is no call backs. This I have found is one of the negatives about doing GI, is being on call.

The work is easy for the most part, as long as their are no ERCPs, which can be difficult at times. Most of the pts aren't in any distress, and now that insurance pays for the procedure, there is are a lot more pts., who come in for preventive, more than for GI problems.

They believe in talking to their pts, and are very much interested in providing the best possible pt care, an include the family members,( if the pt. agrees) in the care. They try to be very flexible with their pts.

The other negative, is the way the schedules can vary, and sometimes you have no idea of how long or short your day will be. You have pts who don't show up, who forgot or whatever. Those who show up not preped or poorly preped! Or those who have failed to follow instructions, and ate or drink when they shouldn't have. This is the things that can make the job frustrating at times.

Then you have those who come in so scared, that their shaking, or ready to run out the door if you say BOO! Or you get the ones who don't bring a driver, and then lie and say they have one:(!

The one real negative, is that it's the same thing for the most part, over and over again. There are the exceptions, but mostly you get to say the same things over, and over...until you could probably do this in your sleep. Sometimes I feel like a recording:chuckle

LPNs here in the Washington area make about $32- $42,000 a year, and RN about $44 - $56,000 a year. At least that is what I have seen, and have two RN friends who make $52,000 now.

If you have a question, let me know. I have only been doing this for about 9mos total, so don't know a lot, but will share what I do know:).

CCU NRS · Nov 18, 2003

Originally posted by crp2000
I'm doing a paper on GI nursing and am having problems finding info on salary and demand within the profession. If there are any GI/Endoscopy Nurse's out there that can help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also - feel free to provide any of the advantages/disadvantages of your role. Thanks in advance!!

Don't know if this will help.

My wife is a GI nurse here in OK. She works for a practice that has 14 GI docs she is a personal nurse for one of the docs she runs his office and follows him when they scope either in their own AEC(assoc. endo. center)or the two hospitals they admit to. She works as an RN for $18.00 and hour she has been his nurse for three years and started at $16.40 and the nurses working the AEC depending on length of employment make between $16-$18

I work at St. Anthony's and RNs ARE CURRENTLY STARTING AT $16.22/hr new grad no experience and it of course goes up with exp. but this is just straight pay not shift diff etc. of course in the endoscopy center they really only do two shifts. Most of the endo nurse are people that have been around many years.

Brownms46 · Nov 18, 2003

Here is what one agency is offering for per diem, or contract pay in 3 different cities;

Denever, Co $32 - 39/hr

Seattle $42 -50/hr

Phx $30-32/hr

And here example of pay in my area

OR/Vancouver area 22.21-$ 29.86 Hourly -staff OOps didn't read the whole ad. The above is for new hire, with the rate going up to $31.73, with sign on bonus, and relocation. Dang pretty good money for staff!

efy2178 · Nov 21, 2003

I have been a GI Nurse, an OR nurse and I have worked in cardiology EP lab. My happiest times were in the endoscopy lab. For information contact the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates--SGNA. They provide nation wide certification as CGRN (I passed this certification about 10 years ago). They have a strong organization and have put out their own text.

Hope this helps.

Check out their web site.

EFY2178

http://www.sgna.org/