Taking care patients emergencies and scheduled surgeries
If you can respect having greater autonomy in a professional setting and understand that you must meet the expectations of patients, coworkers, and the medical institution, you are just the right kind of person to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Being a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is very rewarding -- qualified professionals are in great demand, the pay is among the highest in the industry, and seeing patients restored to good health after surgeries is gratifying.
While Nurse Anesthetists have more autonomy than a Registered Nurse (RN), they work under the supervision of doctors in most scenarios. In many states, CRNAs are exempt from administering medication without the presence of a doctor.
However, in some states, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist can work in the absence of a doctor. Keep in mind that medicines are administered in the same manner regardless of state laws.
What Does a Nurse Anesthetist Do?
Nurse anesthetists work alongside doctors and other nurses to curate pain management plans for every patient. A nurse anesthetist may choose to administer anesthesia by syringe, using an inhalant, or orally.
Administering precise doses of anesthesia.
Assessing the patient's response to the anesthetics.
Develop anesthetic plans for patients.
Perform spinal, epidural, or nerve blocks.
The Difference Between A Nurse Anesthetist and An Anesthesiologist
While both anesthesiologists and CRNAs are trained to administer anesthesia, besides the difference in title, there is also a difference in their education.
Nurse Anesthetist Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a Nurse Anesthetist's median salary is $183,580 per year. The top 10% in the field make well over $208,000 annually.
A Nurse Anesthetist can work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to:
Dental clinics
Hospitals
You will find a CRNA in any medical setting where patients may experience pain if they are conscious. Besides administering anesthesia for surgical procedures, a Nurse Anesthetist may also administer it for trauma care and obstetrical procedures.
However, if you want to become a Nurse Anesthetist, an ADN or diploma simply won't cut it since you will need a BSN to pursue further education.
A BSN typically takes four years to complete and will give you the foundational knowledge you need to work as a nurse in a medical setting. You will learn everything a nurse needs to know about human anatomy, pathophysiology, and more.
#2 Get Licensed as an RN
After you earn your BSN, you will be eligible for giving the will make you eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and get your license. The exam is conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing every few months.
Earning certifications such as a Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification is another great way to show off your experience. Besides enhancing your resume, getting certified will make you an attractive candidate to whoever reviews your application to a nurse anesthetist program.
Shadowing a nurse anesthetist is one of the many ways you can show your commitment to the field. It is also one of the best ways of gaining insight into your future as a CRNA.
While there are dozens of programs you can apply to, you must note that every program has a unique focus. Also, the requirements for every program are different.
However, most programs will require you to have:
At least one year of work experience in an acute care setting.
Most programs also require you to submit some references, and top-notch communication skills are a must.
Raising the education level for CRNAs has been under discussion for years. It is by no means a snap decision since the move has gained strong support from nursing organizations over the years.
Even the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which represents public and private nursing schools across the nation, welcomes the change. An ACCN spokesman revealed that the institution first called for doctoral preparation for all APRNs in 2004.
Once you pass, the state board of nursing will receive a verification of your certification. You can then complete any other formalities required to begin working as a CRNA.
Post getting certified, you will also need to maintain your certification. You must recertify yourself every four years and take the NBCRNA every eight years to remain eligible to work as a Nurse Anesthetist.
To get recertified every four years, you must:
Earn 60 Class A credits by doing activities directly related to anesthesia delivery or improvement of care.
There is no pass/fail criterion in this assessment. However, if the NBCRNA finds that you do not meet performance standards, you will need to pursue additional continuing education to keep practicing.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Anesthetist?
Specializing in one of the best ways to advance your career after you become a CRNA. If you intend to specialize, try and tailor your education to a specific surgical subfield, condition, or population.
Currently, the most popular specializations include neurosurgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics, among others. Working with organizations for these specialties is an excellent way to network and get the best opportunities.
If you don't maintain your APRN license, you will be barred from practicing medicine as an APRN -- regardless of what state you're in. The renewal requirements vary from state to state, but most CRNAs are required to practice a specific number of hours yearly and pursue continuing education if they want to keep their license valid.
Can I Become a CRNA After Enrolling In An Unaccredited Program?
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You will need to work hard for a long, long time before you can become a CRNA -- and that's only the beginning. Taking care of patients in emergencies and scheduled surgeries, maintaining your licensure, and taking up administrative tasks can get hectic.
