Objective To determine the training direction, training program and to promote management of endoscopy nurses by understanding the role delineations and professional practice competencies of gastrointestinal endoscopy nurses in China through a questionnaire survey. Methods A questionnaire of "role delineations and professional practice competencies for gastrointestinal endoscopy nurses in China" was designed, based on the overseas profile or standards of role delineations and the professional practice competencies. Cross-cultural factors were taken into consideration for a higher content validity, and comments from endoscopic experts were consulted. Questionnaires were sent to participants from 52 medical institutions in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities. Results A total of 252 respondents returned questionnaires, whom from 47 medical institutions in 28 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities. The respondents included 144 endoscopy nurses, aged 35.87±7.43，53.5% with a junior professional title and 68.8% with a bachelor degree; 65 endoscopy physicians，aged 39.66±5.62, 46.2% with a junior professional title and 40.0% with a doctoral degree; 43 endoscopic-nurse managers, aged 43.12±5.78, 46.5% with a senior professional title and 90.7% with a bachelor degree. The mean score of respondents of the consistency of 12 role delineations and 10 professional practice competencies was over 3.5. The role delineations with the highest score of consistency were "technical assistance" (4.58±0.57), "hygiene and infection control" (4.54±0.62) and "care of endoscopic equipment" (4.47±0.65). The three future role delineations with the highest scores were "hygiene and infection control" (4.58±0.55), "technical assistance "(4.52± 0.62), and "health safety" (4.52±0.58). There was no significant difference in the scores among endoscopy nurses, endoscopy physicians and endoscopic-nurse managers of the consistency of 12 role delineations (P>0.05). The most consistent professional practice competencies were "cooperation" (4.32±0.61) and "communication"(4.25±0.63), which were also the required professional practice competencies for future development (4.48±0.58, 4.46±0.58, respectively). There was a significant defference between the coincidence on status and the recognition on development of "evidence-based practice and research" competency (3.80±0.77 VS 4.20±0.73, P＜0.001). There was no significant difference in the scores of 10 professional practice competencies for future development among endoscopy nurses, endoscopy physicians and endoscopic-nurse managers(P>0.05). Conclusion There is a consensus among endoscopy nurses, endoscopy physicians and endoscopic chief-nurse managers on the status of the role delineations and the professional practice competencies, as those for future development of gastrointestinal endoscopy nurses in China. "Cooperation" and "communication" are two professional practice competencies that are acknowledged by all types of participants." Evidence-based practice and research" is the professional practice competencies that all the respondents believe that endoscopy nurses need to develop in the future.