What is Gastroenterology Nursing?
Gastroenterology nursing is a specialty practice area in which nurses provide care to patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal problems who are undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic treatment and/or procedures.
This care is provided by Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses and may occur in a variety of settings.
Gastroenterology nurses practice in doctors offices, inpatient and outpatient gastroenterology departments, endoscopy centers and inpatient hospital units. The roles they perform may range from equipment management and cleaning to nurses in advanced practice roles performing screening procedures or case management.
Experienced gastroenterology nurses may choose to obtain national certification in the specialty by satisfying specific practice requirements and successfully completing an examination based on current literature, practice standards, and other references.
The Credentialling Organisation's Board of Gastroenterology Nurses (COGEN) administers the examination and sets the requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification. Registered Nurses earn the credential ACGEN (Australian Credentialled Gastroenterology Nurse) for a period of 3 years