Monday, August 18, 2014

Certified Nurse Anesthetist Programs Create Medical Career Opportunities

By Tanisha Berg


Anesthesia is a requirement in the more than 34 million surgical procedures than take place annually in the United States. Although surgical skills largely determine the success of an operation, the anesthesiologist plays an equally important role. Certified nurse anesthetist programs provide a foundation for those interested in a career working in obstetrical or surgical centers, as well as in dentistry, podiatry, and other related fields.

Anesthesia today can be administered by two specialized groups. Doctors performing this task must have completed medical school, a year of residency, and three years in an associated program. Certified nurses performing the identical job are also trained in advanced practice, have worked at least a year in acute care, and have completed all educational requirements, including a graduate degree.

The responsibilities they assume are pivotal. Not only do they closely observe patients prior to and during a surgical procedure, but they also are responsible to bring patients safely back to consciousness afterward. This involves closely preparing the appropriate anesthesia in advance, monitoring all body functions during surgery, and adjusting levels according to real-time needs. They work closely with patients to educate them about what to expect afterward.

There is an expectation of high competency levels, and the required higher education is commensurate. Those intent on pursuing this career successfully graduate high school, and then continue their education with a four year Bachelor of Science in health-related fields as preparation for obtaining a registered nursing license. Additional requirements include an accredited graduate degree in an associated anesthesia program.

Included in these graduate studies is advanced training in physics, biochemistry and anatomy, as well as pathophysiology and the pharmacology associated with anesthesia. Post-graduates usually obtain practical experience in a university-affiliated or local community hospital. Basic to this career is passing a national certification program that is specifically intended to assure the public that the highest possible standards are being met.

While nurses have traditionally played secondary roles to doctors during surgical procedures, the importance of this field of expertise is hard to overemphasize. Anesthetists today carry the bulk of responsibility for this type of work in most rural regions, and also in many central urban locations. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) as well the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) have both striven to make this a reality.

People successfully completing these programs often enjoy six-figure salaries. The field is growing, and the need for competent, fully-trained technicians shows little sign of decreasing. Although the cost of completing the educational requirements are not insignificant, they are still lower than training a doctor for the same tasks, and this impact on the financial bottom line is important to medical center administrators.

Those considering pursuing this career path should enjoy communicating with and helping people, as well as working with technical devices and needles. The hours are long and demanding, and there is little room for error. While some individuals work in tandem with a physician anesthesiologist, in many locations they are the sole administrator, making the job they do vital for a successful outcome.




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