How long does it take to become an endoscopy nurse?

An ADN degree typically takes two years to complete, while a BSN can require four years of study. After earning their degree, prospective nurses must take the NCLEX-RN and satisfy the nursing licensure requirements for their state. Endoscopy nurses who intend to pursue certification must complete two years of RN clinical experience directly in the field.

What is the difference between a gastroenterology nurse and an endoscopy nurse?

Gastroenterology nurses specialize in the broad, overall care of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Endoscopy nurses specialize in assisting during endoscopic procedures, where a flexible tube with a camera (an endoscope) is used to view various areas of the body, including the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts.

What does an RN do in an endoscopy?

The scope of practice for an endoscopy nurse includes assisting the surgical team during endoscopic procedures; providing patient care before, during, and after the procedure; and educating patients about treatment.

How hard is endoscopy nursing?

Depending on the workplace setting, endoscopy nurses often work in challenging, fast-paced environments, requiring attention to detail and the ability to deal with anxious patients prior to, during, and after procedures. Because these nurses routinely work with patients and families, emergency situations, and life-threatening conditions, they may experience emotional exhaustion.

Endoscopy Nurse Career Overview

How Long to Become

2-4 Years

Job Outlook (2024-2034)

5% growth

Average Annual Salary

$98,986

What Does an Endoscopy Nurse Do?

ADN or required

Certification Optional

An endoscopy nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who helps surgical teams during endoscopic procedures, a group of procedures designed to examine the inside of the body. Common examples include:

Colonoscopy (examines the colon)
Bronchoscopy (examines the airway and lungs)
Cystoscopy (examines the bladder)
Laryngoscopy (examines the throat and voice box)

Often well-versed in calming patient fears about these invasive and sometimes uncomfortable experiences, endoscopy nurses provide care before, during, and after these procedures. They help prep the patient and educate them about treatment and care after the procedure is complete.

To become an endoscopy nurse, you must first earn your RN license. Then, you must acquire specialized clinical knowledge about gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary diseases and the skills to prepare a patient for a procedure that requires sedation, use and maintain endoscopic equipment, administer sedation medication, and manage emergencies and complications.

Endoscopic nurses carry out a variety of clinical and supervisory roles and responsibilities depending on the specific employment setting.

Career Traits

Proficiency in endoscopic procedures
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Detail-oriented

Certification Option

Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse

Where Do Endoscopy Nurses Work?

Endoscopy nurse jobs exist in several different healthcare settings. An endoscopy nurse can often find employment as a staff nurse in a hospital or an outpatient clinic, particularly one specializing in endoscopic procedures. Looking beyond the bedside? Endoscopic nurses can also find work in administrative positions.

Hospitals: Hospitals rely on endoscopy nurses to prepare patients for an endoscopic procedure or administer sedation medicaitons, monitor vital signs, observe patients throughout procedures and recovery, and provide information to patients and caregivers about tests and treatments.
Specialty Clinics: Endoscopy nurses may work in outpatient clinics that specialize in specific areas of the body like gastroenterology, pulmonology, or urology clinics. In these settings, they help perform both diagnostic and disease management functions. Duties include preparing patients for procedures, administering medications, assisting with procedures, conducting cancer screenings, and helping patients manage health conditions.
Endoscopy Laboratory Administration: An endoscopy nurse working in laboratory administration helps supervise technicians and other endoscopy team members. They oversee equipment preparation, cleaning and disinfecting equipment and room for endoscopic procedures, and other aspects of these important behind-the-scenes operations.

Is Endoscopy Nursing Right for Me?

RNs who pursue endoscopy nurse jobs can find rewarding career opportunities in this expanding area of healthcare. But everything has its pros and cons. Here's a look at some common advantages and disadvantages to being an endoscopy nurse, to help you decide if it's the right field for you.

Advantages to Becoming an Endoscopy Nurse

Develop expertise in a variety of diagnostic procedures and disease management
Acquire rewarding teamwork experience with physicians, technicians, and other healthcare providers
Offers competitive salaries and job security, especially for nurses who are certified

Disadvantages to Becoming an Endoscopy Nurse

Can be emotionally draining due to fast-paced work environments and dealing with emergency situations often
Involves management of potential patient anxiety over endoscopic procedures
As the field evolves, must stay updated on and proficient in latest techniques and treatments

How to Become an Endoscopy Nurse

Like many nursing professions, becoming an endoscopy nurse requires earning a nursing degree, gaining and maintaining your RN licensure, then building up the experience you need to practice more exclusively in that area — or even gain your specialty certification.

Here are the specific steps to become an endoscopy nurse.

Endoscopy Nurse Salary

Endoscopy nurse salaries are competitive with those found in other RN specialties. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics does not keep salary data for endoscopy nurses, but the median annual pay for all RNs was $93,600 in May 2024.

According to ZipRecruiter, endoscopy nurse jobs average $98,986 per year as of October 2025. The highest-earning endoscopy nurses take in about $156,000 per year on average, while the lowest 25% earn about $73,000 annually.

Endoscopy nurse salary levels fluctuate depending on factors, such as experience or education level, work setting, and geographic location.

Vivian, a healthcare hiring platform, reported a $50.42 hourly pay rate for endoscopy nurses — 6% higher than the overall average for all U.S. nurses.