Summary
Source: O*Net |
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In Demand!Nature of the Work
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who are certified to safely provide anesthesia care to more than 22 million surgical, obstetrical, and trauma patients each year in the United States. They administer every type of anesthetic, work in every type of practice setting, and provide care for every type of operation or procedure—from open heart surgery to pain-management programs.
CRNAs provide anesthetics to patients, in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals. As advanced practice nurses, they are given a high degree of autonomy and professional respect.
Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia in the U.S. for over 125 years, beginning with their care of wounded soldiers during the Civil War. There currently are more than 36,000 nurse anesthetists in the U.S., approximately 45 percent of whom are men (as compared with 8 percent men in the nursing profession as a whole). CRNAs are the sole providers of anesthesia in approximately two-thirds of all rural hospitals in the United States, enabling these healthcare facilities to offer obstetrical, surgical, and trauma-stabilization services. In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers in nearly 100 percent of the rural hospitals.
 Watch this video from the University of Maryland School of Nursing to get a glimpse at the critical roles Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists play in healthcare. |
Work Environment
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) practice in a variety of settings in the private and public sectors, and in the U.S. military, including traditional hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, and physicians’ offices. They practice on a solo basis, in groups and collaboratively. Some CRNAs have independent contracting arrangements with physicians or hospitals.
They might work long hours and be in a rather stressful environment most of the time, as most patients are a bit apprehensive about having surgery performed.
Training, Other Qualifications
Becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) takes at least seven years of full-time experience and education.
Education and Training
Individuals first need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or bachelor's degree in another appropriate subject, and should have at least one year of experience as a registered nurse in acute care nursing.
Following undergraduate work, prospective nurse anesthetists earn a Master of Science (MS) degree, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from a school of nurse anesthesia, which includes clinical experience with multiple methods of anesthesia. After that, nurse anesthetists must pass a national certification exam.
Return to top of page...Other Qualifications
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) should have the ability to pay close attention to detail and the desire to help others. They should also be organized, level-headed, active listeners, and good record-keepers. The ability to work well in pressure-packed situations is a must. It is quite beneficial if nurse anesthetists have a calm and reassuring demeanor, even in stressful times.
Return to top of page...On the Job
- Manage patients' airway or pulmonary status using techniques such as endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, pharmacological support, respiratory therapy, and extubation.
- Assess patients' medical histories to predict anesthesia response.
- Prepare prescribed solutions and administer local, intravenous, spinal, or other anesthetics following specified methods and procedures.
- Select, order, or administer anesthetics, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids or blood products as necessary.
- Develop anesthesia care plans.
- Monitor patients' responses, including skin color, pupil dilation, pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ventilation, or urine output, using invasive and noninvasive techniques.
- Select, prepare, or use equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.
- Obtain informed consent from patients for anesthesia procedures.
- Respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administering emergency fluids or drugs, or using basic or advanced cardiac life-support techniques.
- Perform or manage regional anesthetic techniques, such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks.
Source: BLS
Companies That Hire Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)s
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Additional Information
- Amercian Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants: www.anesthetist.org
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists: www.aana.com/Default.aspx
Sources
- O*Net Online. (2009). National Center for O*Net Development. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://online.onetcenter.org/
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. (2009, May 29). Becoming a CRNA: Rosecella Hill-Butler Retrieved September 27, 2010 from http://www.aana.com/BecomingCRNA.aspx?id=21494
- Iowa Public Television. (2009). The Nurse Anesthetist. Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://www.careers.iptv.org/enhanced/1038/ec_askthepro.cfm
- ExploreHealthCareers.org. (2010, May 20). Anesthesiologist Assistants. Retrieved May 27, 2010, from http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career.80.aspx
- Education-Portal.com. (2010). Nurse Anesthetist. Retrieved May 27, 2010, from http://education-portal.com/directory/category/Medical_and_Health_Professions/Nursing_Professions/Nurse_Anesthetist.html
- Net Industries. (2010). Nurse Anesthetist Job Description, Career as a Nurse Anesthetist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. Retrieved May 27, 2010, from http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/7820/Nurse-Anesthetist.html
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