CHICAGO – Effective immediately, the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN), has expanded its eligibility criteria to sit for the Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN) exam to include Canadian registered nurses who have achieved Canadian Registered Nursing (RN) licensure.

The ABCGN Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates (CSGNA), recognize that Canadian nurses must successfully attain their RN licensure through National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). Successful attainment of RN licensure is one of the eligibility requirements for the CGRN exam. All candidates must also ensure they meet the remaining eligibility requirements, including professional work experience and proof of a valid RN licensure.

It is a great honor to welcome our nursing colleagues from Canada into the CGRN community, said ABCGN President Lisa Heard, MSN RN CGRN. The CSGNA's desire to attain the CGRN credential illustrates their commitment to validating the skills, knowledge and attitudes of the professional gastroenterology nurse. The ABCGN Board of Directors is excited to offer CSGNA this opportunity and to expand our growing body of certified gastroenterology nursing experts.

The union of this partnership with the ABCGN is an exciting step in building a community of gastroenterology nurses that collaborates across borders, said Heather Dow, CPhT, CAE, CPC(HC), CSGNA Manager. This exam will recognize our members' commitment to practice excellence and lifelong learning, value to their employers and enhanced professional credibility. We are thrilled, once again, to provide a certification route for our Canadian Registered Nurses.