Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Anesthesiology Schools, Training, Education, Jobs, and Careers

What is a Nurse Anesthetist?
Nurse anesthetics are a specialized field of clinical nursing. Officially known as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), they represent one of the most crucial niches of nursing with medical reports showing that they serve over 30 million people in the US alone each year.

CRNAs work hand in hand with anesthesiologists, dentists, surgeons, podiatrists and virtually all medical personnel who perform intrusive medical procedures. These nurses are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients before surgery.

CRNAs are expected to carry out the following roles:

1. A physical assessment of patients prior to administering the anesthesia to confirm that their current health can withstand the anesthesia.

2. Conducting preoperative teaching for patients prior to anesthesia and surgery.

3. Undertake anesthetic management so as to ensure anesthesia administered is appropriate for each patient and each procedure.

4. Ensure there is enough anesthetic during surgery to cater for the unexpected need to administer more anesthetic.

5. Monitor patients to ensure they fully recover from the administered anesthesia.

6. Monitor the progress of patients after surgery.

How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist:
For one to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, they must sit for and pass the national CRNA examination. Before enrolling for the 24 to 36 month CRNA training course and sitting for the examination, one must meet a certain set of minimum requirements.

First, you must hold an undergraduate degree preferably in Nursing - some CRNA training courses allow persons that hold other types of degrees usually in a health related field. You must also have already been licensed as a registered nurse. At least one year experience in acute nursing care is also required but the definition of acute nursing care varies from institution to institution.

Every nurse anesthesia program offers a masters degree. The actual degree received at the end of the course varies depending on the area of specialization one opts for and can be a masters in nursing, biological sciences, allied health or clinical sciences.

The CRNA course work covers the following areas:

1. Chemistry
2. Biochemistry
3. Pathophysiology
4. Physiology
5. Anatomy
6. Pharmacology
7. Physics
8. Surgery Procedures
9. Obstetric Procedures
10. Anesthesia Techniques

The myriad opportunities available for CRNAs means that they can either work as freelancers, enter into contracts with several health care institutions at a go (provided there is no conflict) or they can be employed full time and work exclusively for a single medical institution. Some of the institutions where CRNAs work include:

1. US Military
2. Hospital Operating Rooms
3. Pain Clinics
4. Ambulatory Surgery Facilities
5. Private Doctor's Offices

The Present and Future Employment Opportunities for CRNAs:

The demand for CRNAs in the US is one of the highest of any nursing career niche. It is estimated that in the near future over 37,000 CRNAs will be needed to ensure the American healthcare system offers high quality and cost-effective patient care. It is little wonder that CRNAs are probably the best paid nurses.

Nurse Anesthetist Salary:
This is making serious money as it gets in nursing. These nurses are some of the highest paid professionals in the US. The national average salary is $109,000 per year. The experienced anesthesia nurses make as much as $180,000 per year.

Nurse Anesthesiology School:
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