LPN in G.I. office/surgical procedures

Nici_Nurse · Feb 18, 2016

I will be starting in a G.I. unit soon as a new grad LPN and I was wanted to hear from fellow nurses, specifically LPNs regarding your experience in G.I.
What are good questions to ask?
What types of things should I expect/look out for?
How long did it take you to get comfortable in your position?
And any other valuable information, you may have for me!!

I worked in the G.I. Procedure rooms for 3-4 years, and loved it!! It definitely is a learning curve, compared to what we did in nursing school and other clinical settings. Learning the instruments and when to use the right one at the right time. Also, we manipulate tissue. So using forceps and snares to take biopsies. You will also need to learn the different types of scopes: Endoscopes and Colonoscopes.

Another thing we were trained to do was admit patients and start IVs!! I loved it, plus I became an expert at starting IVs.

I think you'll like it a lot, definitely something new. But so fun!!

Cardiacluv · Feb 18, 2016

Wow, definitely didn't know the job would have me that involved! I am even more excited! Thank you for your reply.

brownbook · Feb 18, 2016

I am a RN but work in a large surgical/GI clinic with many LVN's.

The GI clinics I've worked in have not used LVN's as Nici Nurse described. Every clinic, hospital, area, state, seems to have different ways of doing things! Clear as mud!

Where I've worked CNA's or techs have handled the instruments, scopes, snares, etc. We don't even use LVN's in admitting patients, starting IV's, but I'm sure they could function well there. The LVN's are mainly in discharge.

I hope your job is as Nici Nurse described. It is a fun interesting job. I just want to give you another possible scenario.

brownbook · Feb 18, 2016

PS, if you do function as Nici Nurse described there a a lot of educational videos on You Tube showing GI procedures.

Almost any question is a good question. You are new, you are expected to ask. Most co-worked, MD's, etc., like to teach and "show off" their knowledge. Ask away. (Just be cognizant of the patient over hearing....ask the patient, tell the patient, you are new and do they mind.)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 20, 2016

Hi Cardiacluv, did you get the job as a new grad? How is the GI unit?