Karen Kempin's story - nurse endoscopist

Karen Kempin is one of only seven trained nurse endoscopists in New Zealand, Hutt Valley District Health Board recently shared her story.

Taken from the Hutt Valley DHB Instagram with permission.

After moving to Dunedin from Australia in 2012, Karen was offered the opportunity to train as a nurse endoscopist. The training programme was an initiative run by Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) aimed at increasing the number of gastrointestinal endoscopists in New Zealand.

This year Karen was offered a nurse endoscopist role in Hutt Hospital's endoscopy unit.

"After many years assisting with endoscopies, it is satisfying to now have the ability to perform them myself," said Karen. "I am still in the early stages of my endoscopy career but I have already done over 700 gastroscopies and 400 colonoscopies—so I am making good progress.”

"Most days I see between three to eight patients. I assess each one, perform the endoscopy, take pathology samples, and advise on the next clinical steps patients. The rest of the day is spent working as a nurse educator for our unit, and preparing for upcoming patients and following up on completed procedures."

Karen says she couldn't do her role without the amazing individuals in her unit.

"Everyone in the department works closely together—we all have a part to play. I am impressed with the team's work ethic and their dedication to the specialist service we provide."

Karen's endoscopy work doesn't stop outside of the hospital. She also volunteers her time as an endoscopy nurse trainer in Pacific countries with the Australia and New Zealand Gastroenterology International Training Association (ANZGITA). Since joining the training association she has been on six training trips and is looking forward to going again next year.