scoping out canadian gastroenterology nursesgastroenterology nurses and associates (csgna) for the...

Can J Gastroenterol Vol 20 No 6 June 2006 397

Nancy Campbell is the President of the Canadian Society ofGastroenterology Nurses and Associates (CSGNA) for

the term 2004 to 2006. She currently works in Ottawa,Ontario, at the Montfort Hospital Gastroenterology (GI) Unitand Operating Room.PA: Can you introduce our readers to theCSGNA?NC: The CSGNA is the largest GI nursesgroup in Canada, boasting a membership ofapproximately 650 members. The associationstarted in 1984 and was strictly for theprovince of Ontario. In 1986, it expanded to anational level and became a regional society ofthe American Society of GastroenterologyAssistants. In 1991, the CSGNA became anindependent organization. The organization iscommitted to excellence in client care whileenhancing the educational and professionalgrowth of the membership within the resourcesavailable.PA: Can you describe some of the educationalinitiatives of the CSGNA?NC: The CSGNA has developed positionstatements and guidelines to assist CanadianGI nurses in their practice. We have positionstatements regarding registered nurses (RNs)performing flexible sigmoidoscopies, role ofthe licensed practical nurse/registered practicalnurse in endoscopy, role delineation of the advanced practicenurse in GI, the role of the RN related to scope advancement,the responsibilities of the RN related to conscious sedation,the role of the RN in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomytube placement and staffing for therapeutic endoscopyprocedures. Our guidelines include infection control in theendoscopy setting, use of reuseable medical devices inendoscopy settings, care of the patient receiving conscioussedation, documentation in the endoscopy setting, preventingallergic reactions to natural rubber latex and the patienthaving a bronchoscopy.

In addition to a 12 member national executive comprised ofCanadian GI nurses, there are 18 chapters across Canada thateach offer a minimum of four educational hours per year. Anational conference is held yearly, alternating in venues fromwest to central to eastern Canada. This year, our 22nd nationalconference is being held in Regina, Saskatchewan onSeptember 15th and 16th. Our Web site at www.csgna.com ismaintained to keep our members informed. Three times a year,we publish a newsletter entitled The Guiding Light. It is full ofarticles (including research findings), executive reports and,yes, even recipes! The Guiding Light is our maincommunication tool with members throughout the year.

Another wonderful tool offered by the CSGNA is anorientation package. This is a concise guide on what to includewhen offering a GI orientation to a new employee. Arguably,orientation varies among units, depending on what procedures

are performed as well as the backgroundexperience of the nurse being oriented. Weoffer 12 national scholarships per year toenable members to attend our nationalconference. This year we are offering a newmember scholarship for the first time.PA: What is the current situation withcertification?NC: In 2004, GI nursing was recognized as aspecialty area by the Canadian NursesAssociation (CNA). The CSGNA incollaboration with the CNA developed a GI certification examination that is offeredannually. The examination itself was writtenby nurses working in the specialty. RNs whoare Canadian certified may use the initial’sCGN(C), meaning Certified GastroenterologyNurse Canadian, after their names. There arepresently 147 certified GI nurses in Canada. The certification examination isbased on five competencies relating to GI.They are anatomy and physiology,pharmacology, diagnostic tests and therapeuticprocedures, care of the GI patient and

performance assurance. The competencies, examination development and mainte-

nance are overseen by the CNA. This point is significantbecause it ensures a national standard with relation tocredentialing. Therefore, certification is envisioned to be anexcellent tool to be used when hiring a nurse to work in a GIsetting. If a nurse applies for employment and is GI certified,that indicates to the employer that he or she has attained alevel of competence in GI.

This past September, the CSGNA broadened its horizonsby working with an international nurses group, The Society OfInternational Gastroenterological Nurses And EndoscopyAssociates, to present the nurses program at the WorldCongress Of Gastroenterology, held in Montreal, Quebec.There were over 400 nurses from all over the world registeredfor the nurses program!PA: What are the challenges for the future?NC: All Canadian GI nurses are well aware of the wait timedilemma. We want to do our part to help with this issue andare hoping that we will be included in the solution. As unitsgrow and become busier and more complicated procedures areundertaken, the nursing role will also evolve and change. GI nurses are ready for this challenge, as we always have been.

Scoping Out Canadian Gastroenterology Nurses

Nancy Campbell RN CGN(C)1, Paul C Adams MD2, Editor-in-Chief

MEET THE EDITOR

1Montfort Hospital Gastroenterology Unit and Operating Room, Ottawa; 2London Health Sciences Centre, London, OntarioCorrespondence: Nancy Campbell, Montfort Hospital, 713 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1K 0T2.

Telephone 613-837-4743, e-mail [email protected]

Nancy Campbell is the President of theCanadian Society of GastroenterologyNurses and Associates for the term2004 to 2006. She currently works inOttawa, Ontario at the MontfortHospital Gastroenterology Unit andOperating Room

©2006 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved

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