Nurse anesthetists, formally called Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), are responsible for administering anesthesia assistance and services during surgical procedures, delivering babies, and numerous other applications. The steps for learning how to become a nurse anesthetist are pretty straightforward, so this article will discuss that, including some more specifics about what they do, education requirements nurse anesthetist programs, and some job search tips.

The main job duties of a nurse anesthetist include are quit varied and include working with other physicians and nurses during medical treatments that require local, epidural, general, spinal, or regional anesthesia. Treatments requiring these include surgery, obstetrics, conscious sedation of patients, or routine procedures such as a gastroscopy or colonoscopy.

This requires the CRNA to assess the patient requirements before the procedure by determining their physical and mental state, why the patient is receiving the medical treatment, and the best way to administer the anesthetic. If there is any equipment or drugs that aren’t necessary for use during the procedure, the nurse will be able to determine that. After administering the anesthesia, the nurse must continually monitor the patient’s condition to ensure effectiveness, that the patient is not suffering from pain, and is generally in stable condition. Lastly, the nurse must observe and monitor the patient after surgery to ensure they don’t suffer adverse side effects.

Steps to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

1. Obtain Bachelor’s of Nursing (BSN) degree – In order to attend a Nurse Anesthetist graduate program, you must first complete your BSN degree and obtain a registered nursing license (RN). If you are currently an RN, you an even complete an RN to BSN program. And if you’re not an RN but already have a Bachelor’s degree, there are accelerated BSN programs to meet that requirement.
2. Gain RN Experience – Since Nurse Anesthesia master’s degree programs will want to see some work experience in acute care, along with a year of post graduate work, it is best to gain some work experience. At a minimum, you will want at least 12 months experience working in an acute or critical care facility.
3. Complete Master’s degree – Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist requires a post graduate Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, followed by passing a certification exam conducted by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA). Coursework for the anesthesiology program include anatomy, pathophysiology, general physiology, professional standards, scope of work and ethics for nurse anesthesiologists, pharmacology, pain management, physics, equipment and technology, research and clinical lab work. Credentialing of the CRNA is overseen by CCNA and recertification by the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (COR), which comprise the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Eligibility for the NCE requires passing the NCE exam within two years of graduating, a clean criminal record (no felonies, ethical violations, misconduct, etc), you do not possess physical problems or substance abuse problems, and submission of nursing license, transcripts, NDA agreement, and liability waiver.
4. Hunt for CRNA Jobs – Specialized nurses like CRNAs are in high demand and have plenty of opportunities come their way, as there is no shortage of jobs on the market at health care facilities of all kinds and of course, hospitals. However, it is still advisable to join a few nursing organizations or associations and network with other nurses and possible employers.

Nurse Anesthetist Salary and Career Advancement

Being a nurse anesthetist is an extremely rewarding career with many opportunities for growth and career advancement. The average salary ranges from $140,000 to $175,000 a year. As stated above there are many open positions in hospitals, and other facilities like surgical suites, and surgery centers. Along with the growth of healthcare as a whole, the opportunity for CRNAs is substantial. Possible advancement opportunities include teaching nurse anesthetist courses, anesthesiology research, and patient advocacy for anesthesiology.

To conclude, a Nurse Anesthesiologist career is an extremely rewarding advancement opportunity for RNs and other nursing professionals who wish to make a substantial income and enjoy the benefits of job security within the healthcare industry. CRNAs are very well respected and some of the highest paid nurses there are.