The Journey to Certification: SVBGH Endoscopy Welcomes New CGRNs

Gut Check | Friday, February 19, 2021

Eileen Babb, BSN RN CGRN

Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital (SVBGH) Endoscopy Department accomplished a Herculean feat in the fall of 2020. Five seasoned nurses became Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurses (CGRNs). Congratulations to Cameron Altmeyer-Walsh, BSN RN CGRN, Louise Beale, BSN RN CGRN, Leonora Dona-Warren, BSN RN CGRN, Marisela Mercado, RN CGRN, and Kathy Reed, BSN RN CGRN, for a job well done!

Together with their already certified colleagues (Jay Hudson, RN CGRN, Liz Mattern, BSN RN CGRN and myself), these fabulous five bring the department’s certification rate to 72.7%. Of the three nurses that are not yet certified, one is slated to certify this upcoming spring. The remaining two will be eligible to certify this fall.

Their certification journey was not a walk in the park, and it truly took a village to guide them to success. As soon as these nurses pledged to sit for the fall 2020 certification, we created a rigorous two-and-a-half-month review timeline based on the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN) test blueprint. We assembled study materials and review questions based on SGNA practice resources, including the Core Curriculum, Manual of Gastrointestinal Procedures, and the GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review: Certification Study Manual, along with the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Guidelines for Perioperative Practices. The nurses also utilized the two free online CGRN review tests available to SGNA members and a non-SGNA study guide by Mometrix for their test questions.

What made their journey remarkable is the number of people who invested their time and talent in helping these nurses achieve their certification goal. Six gastroenterologists, one certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and one CGRN provided a total of twelve, 90-minute face-to-face and virtual presentations on target topics (see below). Each presentation was followed by a quiz and discussion of the test answers. These meetings were conducted on evenings after work or weekends. In addition, these nurses also met regularly outside of their work hours to study together.

A special thanks to these colleagues who helped their fellow nurses study in the following areas:

Dr. Glen Arluk: Anatomy and Physiology/GI Pathophysiology/Infectious Diseases
Eileen Babb: Historical Perspective/Roles and Standards/Nursing Process/Physical Examination/Performance Improvement/Research/Evidence-Based Practice/Infection Prevention/ Environmental Safety
Dr. Jan Janson: GI Procedures
Dr. Jeffrey Kauffman: Rapid-fire Questions and Answers
Dr. George Pop: Manometry
Dr. James Rawles: GI Pharmacology
Louis Roth: Sedation and Analgesia
Dr. David Stockwell: Nonendoscopic GI Procedures

These SVBGH endoscopy nurses believe certification is important because it demonstrates clinical knowledge, experience and clinical judgment within their specialty. Certification shows that nursing is a profession that cares about the safety, quality and excellence of health care delivery. The benefits of certification may include personal growth, career advancement, financial reward, professional recognition and perceived empowerment.

Don’t forget to recognize your CGRNs and other certified nurses who earn and maintain the highest credentials in their specialty on Certified Nurses Day, March 19, 2021!