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Whaddaya
Know? Rachel has made
an investment. “I got
my CGRN”, she celebrated. I was surprised.
Not because Rachel isn’t smart (which she is, very), knowledgeable
in GI, or full of common sense. It’s just that all the CGRNs
of my acquaintance were either the nurse managers of local endoscopy
suites or a few scattered nurses of long tooth and years of experience.
But Rachel, although experienced, is young…and a “regular”
GI nurse. Then I discovered that about a dozen nurses at hospitals
at which I practice all got their CGRNs this June. Being the ever-inquiring
Gastroenterologist, I resolved to get the skinny on this CGRN epidemic. According to
Carol Shaner CAE, the Executive Director of the Certifying Board
of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (www.CBGNA.org), there
are approximately three thousand certified GI nurses in America.
Published studies on certification reveal enhanced patient outcomes,
cost effective care, and job satisfaction. The eligibility requirements
are just two years as a gastro nurse and the certifying exam. The
CBGNA was established way back in 1986, and is here to stay. So
why aren’t all GI nurses of over two years tenure CGRNs or
CGNs? Kim Cooper,
CGRN and head of Chesapeake General Hospital’s endoscopy suite,
says it’s about self-actualization. “GI nurses should
pursue certification for their own pride in their professionalism”
she says. “There are benefits to your patients in improved
quality of care—and that’s what nursing is about, isn’t
it?” Her hospital pays up to $200 for exam prep, and up to
$300 for the certification. Thirty percent of her nurses are certified,
and their certification is celebrated with roses, a banner, recognition
in the Surgical Services
departmental newsletter, and a new name badge to highlight their
specialization. Another local
hospital celebrates the newly certified nurses in a multidisciplinary
“Professionalism Award” ceremony, which recognizes certification,
research, and presentations at national conferences. “It can’t
just be a warm and fuzzy” adds Ginny Jacobs, BSN RN, the endoscopy
nurse manager for Sentara Health Care. Her hospital places high
value on certification: employing 22 GI RNs total, with six not
yet in the business for two years, they now have eleven certified
GI nurses. Ms Jacobs organized venders to provide lunch during the
in-house weekend review course, and the hospital system offered
reimbursement for review course and exam if passed. And there’s
a pay differential of $1 per hour…less than deserved but more
than many. So, how do you
know that you are one of us; an “Insider”; that it’s
past time to move ahead and earn your CGRN? Rachel and the other
endo nurses that I work with realized that there were things that
those experienced in endoscopy know, but aren’t on the test,
and are not known by outsiders to GI. Here’s your exam: 1. Correctly interpret these endoscopy patient statements:
If you got those,
answer these tougher essay questions, smarty pants: 2.When sedating
with meperidine and midazolam, what does it mean when the patient
reaches up and scratches his nose? 3. If the gastro
is having difficulty with a tortuous colon, and calls for a pediatric
scope, what happens while you’re out of the room? 4. If a patient
begins to desaturate, what occurs when any medical professional
in the room uses the magical “O” word? So you’re
an insider; why haven’t you made it official? IMHO, it’s
about the pride in your profession, and the opportunity for advancement.
It’s about branding yourself as a higher quality of professional.
In the future, as reimbursements continue to fall and gastroenterologists
might delegate out diagnostic procedures, those endoscopies will
not go to the GI PAs and NPs, but to experienced CGRNs with years
of certified expertise. All I know is,
when faced with an aggressive GI bleed, a frustratingly jammed foreign
body, or a complicated ERCP, I know who I want watching my back. Be a GI Insider.
Get your CGRN or CGN. Invest in yourself. Virginia Beach
gastroenterologist, Patricia L. Raymond M.D. FACG is an author and
consultant, who speaks to nurses and physicians through hospital
systems and medical conventions. With her company Rx For Sanity™,
she humorously leads physicians and nurses to rediscover their joy
in medicine and to learn to first “Turn Care Inward”.
Her book, “Don’t Jettison Medicine: Resuscitate Your Passion
For The Career You Loved!” is available now. Visit www.RxForSanity.com
soon for complimentary information and links to better care for
yourself and for your staff, and to subscribe to our FREE monthly
newsletter, Rx For Sanity™ eNews, with medical humor and simple tips
to enhance your life in Medicine. Answers 2-4 |
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About Dr. Raymond • Speaking Topics • Articles • The Sanity Store • Sensational Free Stuff Subscribe to Passionate Health Care Newsletter Subscribe to Your Health Choice Newsletter Patricia L. Raymond, MD FACP FACG 757-547-0368 • 757-547-7727(Fax) • PLRaymond at RxForSanity.com All Rights Reserved. © 2007 Patricia L. Raymond |
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