GI/ endoscopy clinic nurse

kstec, LPN · Aug 9, 2007

I just got hired at a GI clinic and they told me my job would entail doing initial assessments, starting IV's, doing conscious sedation, monitoring the ekg machine, monitoring vitals, and working recovery. I do not start until 9/4/07 so I can't tell you from experience what it's like. I'm excited to learn the area as soon as I can get passed the whole "lots of gas" part. During clinicals when I observed a colonoscopy, I just was quite surprised at how loud and gassy it was. I was told there is two nurses in each room and you do a procedure ever 30minutes. Sounds like it will be a busy place to work. Definitely check into the pay, it's not that great, but I will be working 3-4 10 hour shifts a week, no weekends, no holidays.

ItsyBitsySpider, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2007

The "lots of gas" is something you do have to get over but after immediate over-exposure to it you hardly hear it anymore. It's not an easy job, the hours are good, the call is so so. We get called in quite often so I don't enjoy it so much. I'm not quite sure why it's such a pay cut for hospital Endo because it is very busy and very specialized. I guess because of the hours. We go to CCU, ICU, ER, etc. and do cases. When we're on call, we do all cases with one tech, one RN, and the MD and that can get tough depending on the situation. Obviously you won't have these issues if you are working in a GI clinic. I've worked in both and there are positives and negatives with both.

I've found that working in the clinic you will mostly do colons and EGD's, day in and day out, rotating admit, circulator, and recovery with the other nurses. This can be great because there is no call but I find it to be a little mundane after awhile. The majority of patients are healthy and that's always a plus. There won't be multiple IV drips to deal with, intubated patients, bleeders, foreign bodies, etc for the most part.

In the hospital environment there will be much more to do. Colons, EGD's, ERCP's, liver biopsy's, bronchoscopy's, ballon dilitations, banding, the list goes on. RN's in hospital Endo are expected to know all aspects of this position from the admit paperwork to cleaning the scopes because there is a good chance you may do it alone one day. If you aren't already you will be proficient at starting IV's very quickly because we do lots. If there are any specific questions you have, please ask and I'd be happy to answer.

goubuli · Aug 9, 2007

Thank you very much. The reason I asked is I am trying to find a job that is not very physically demanding. I am now working on a med-surg floor that most pts are post-surg, neuron or trauma pts. All of them needs some kind of help to move themselves.And we do not have enough CNA.I tried to get pregnent recently and cannot work on this floor. (got miscarriage in May)Is it a right choice for me?

ItsyBitsySpider, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2007

Is this a clinic or hospital endoscopy? It really depends on which it is. If it's hospital, then I would say it is pretty physically demanding. There are alot of patients that have to be moved, turned, etc. It's not quite the same in a stand alone clinic though. My advice would be for you to observe there for half a day (preferably in the morning) so that you can get a good feel for it. I know most managers don't mind and I definitely wish I had done that. You could always look into nursery or NICU where most patients don't weigh more than 10 pounds. Just an idea!

mamalle · Aug 10, 2007

we do alot of GI procedure where I work and I do not find it physically demanding. we normally have two doctors working and they normally come out every 30'. ( I work in pacu). its a huge % of our patients on a daily basis. I dont think I have ever heard the GI nurse complain either that is in the room with the doctor. the CRNA and the nurse always bring me the patient after the procedure.. Personally I dont think I could stay in there all the time. I enjoy pacu with all the different cases..