Nurse Anesthetist: Career, Training, & Certification

Nurse Anesthetist

Performing one of the most important procedures that go on in the medical field, nurse anesthetists work under a high level of pressure, overseeing the administration of anesthesia to all patients who are undergoing surgery or delivering a baby. They must perform this duty from start to finish, preparing the patient before the operation, preparing them for anesthetic management, administering the anesthesia itself at a safe dose to keep the patient free from pain during the procedure, maintaining the anesthesia level throughout the procedure, and then overseeing the patient’s recover afterwards. This can involve long, irregular work hours and a high degree of responsibility. Too much anesthesia can lead to complications or coma, and too little can lead to a great deal of pain. Therefore this is not a career for the weak of heart, and a steady level-headed work ethic is required.
 
Salary Outlook
 
Because this is such a highly specialized field, it is one of the highest compensated among nursing careers.
 
Average Annual Salary
$168,500
 
Salary Range
$65,000-$196,000
 
Work Environment
 
Certified nurse anesthetists work in a wide variety of different work environments that will depend on the state and area in which they prefer to practice. They work in the military as well as in civilian areas, including hospitals and delivery rooms. Other possible environments include pain clinics, physician’s offices, and private surgery centers. They can work alone or in teams, either together or with the surgeons in a collaborative effort.
 
Requirements
 
To become a certified nurse anesthetist, successful completion of a Nurse Anesthesia program is required. Entry requirements for this may include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a license as a registered nurse, and a minimum of one year of nursing experience. After this, a person is ready to go through the program, which is in itself a graduate level program that can take anywhere from 2-3 years to complete.
 
Career Outlook
 
The health care industry is expected to grow in leaps and bounds over the next few years, with 3.5 million new jobs being created by 2012, according to some estimates. As the population ages overall, this is expected to lead to a higher overall need for surgery. Correspondingly, the need for qualified and experienced anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists should jump as well, with salaries going up at the same time. Now is a good time to start thinking about gaining the skills and experience for this upcoming spike in demand.
 
Professional Organizations
 
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
222 South Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068-4001
Phone: (847)692-7050
www.aana.com
 
American Nurses Foundation
8515 Georgia Ave. Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 628-5227
www.anfonline.org