Gastroenterology (GI) nursing is a specialty practice area in which nurses and associates 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, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses and unlicensed associates (e.g., aides, assistants, technologists), and take place in a variety of settings.

GI nurses and associates practice in physician offices, inpatient and outpatient endoscopy departments, ambulatory endoscopy centers and inpatient hospital units. The roles they perform depend upon education, licensure and experience, and ranges from equipment and cleaning to performing screening procedures and case management.

GI nurses are licensed in their state of practice managing and generally have experience in medical-surgical nursing prior to electing to specialize. Although nurses and associates in endoscopy departments receive their specialty procedural training on-the-job from preceptors and physician endoscopists, the body of knowledge required for GI nursing practice is summarized in the text Gastroenterology Nursing: A Core Curriculum.

Experienced GI Registered Nurses may choose to obtain national certification in the specialty by satisfying specific practice requirements and successfully completing a written examination based on the Core Curriculum, current literature, practice standards, and other references. The American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses administers the examination and sets the requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification. Certified Registered Nurses earn the credential CGRN (Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse). There is not a certification exam for associates however you are able to earn recognition as a GTS (GI Technical Specialist) or an AGTS (Advanced GI Technical Specialist) by completing the SGNA Associates Program and Advanced Associates Program.