Nurse Anesthetist
A Nurse Anesthetist is a specialized registered nurse who focuses on administering anesthesia and managing pain for patients undergoing various medical procedures, including surgeries and childbirth. They are responsible for inducing numbness or unconsciousness in patients using different methods such as intravenous anesthesia and nerve blocks. In addition to administering anesthesia, Nurse Anesthetists closely monitor patients' vital signs before, during, and after procedures, ensuring their safety and responding to any emergencies that may arise.
Typically, Nurse Anesthetists work in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals and dental offices, often collaborating with physicians, surgeons, and anesthesiologists. Their role requires a master's degree in nursing along with advanced training in anesthesiology, but they do not need prior work experience in the field before entering their graduate programs. The profession is characterized by a strong job outlook, with a projected employment growth rate significantly higher than average.
Individuals drawn to this career often possess traits such as physical stamina, empathy, and strong problem-solving skills. The role is demanding, potentially requiring long shifts, including nights and weekends, but offers a median annual salary of approximately $129,480, reflecting the advanced level of expertise and responsibility involved.
Nurse Anesthetist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Health, chemistry, biology, anatomy, mathematics, pain management
Earnings (Yearly Median): $129,480 per year $62.25 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 40% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses responsible for patient anesthesia and pain management. In particular, nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients giving birth or undergoing surgery, dental procedures, or other medical procedures. They affect numbness, loss of sensation, or unconsciousness in patients using intravenous anesthesia, nerve blocks, epidurals, or other methods. In addition, nurse anesthetists monitor patients’ vital signs before and after medical procedures. A nurse anesthetist may specialize in pediatric, geriatric, dental, surgery, birth, medical procedure, or emergency care anesthesia, or in pain management.
Work Environment. Nurse anesthetists work in various medical settings under the supervision of physicians, surgeons, dentists, or anesthesiologists. They may oversee one or more patients' anesthesia and pain management needs during a single shift. Shifts may be as long as twelve hours. Nurse anesthetists may be required to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and on-call hours to meet patient needs. Most nurse anesthetists work thirty-six hours weekly, but part-time and freelance positions are also available.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the nurse anesthetist profession tend to be physically strong, nurturing, and intelligent people who can assess situations quickly, demonstrate caring, and solve problems. Those who succeed as nurse anesthetists exhibit physical stamina, empathy, patience, resourcefulness, responsibility, effective time management, and concern for others. Intense observation and communication skills are vital.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Nurse anesthetists perform several preparatory tasks before a surgical operation, delivery, or other medical procedure. Before providing patient care, the nurse anesthetist must test anesthesia and breathing machines and prepare, clean, and sterilize equipment. They greet patients, explain the nurse anesthetist’s role in their treatment or procedure, obtain patient consent for anesthesia, and interview patients about their health and anesthesia histories. In some cases, the nurse anesthetist uses this information and diagnostic test results to choose the appropriate form and amount of anesthesia for the patient; in others, they prepare anesthesia solutions as requested or prescribed by anesthesiologists, physicians, surgeons, or dentists.
During and after the procedure, the nurse anesthetist is responsible for the patient’s condition relative to the anesthesia. They administer anesthesia to the patient and then verify that the intended numbness, loss of sensation, or unconsciousness has been achieved. The nurse anesthetist monitors the patient’s vital signs (including pulse, heart rate, skin color, pupil dilation, blood pressure, respiration, and urine output) before, during, and after the procedure. They must respond swiftly to patient emergencies, using medications, devices, fluids, electrolytes, and blood gases as appropriate. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be used to manage a patient’s breathing during surgical procedures. Following a procedure, the nurse anesthetist moves the patient to a recovery room, stays with them as they recover from anesthesia, evaluates and manages the patient’s condition, and provides post-procedure or post-operative care instructions.
Nurse anesthetists communicate patient information to others. They meet with physicians, surgeons, dentists, and anesthesiologists to report on patient status. They also document the types and amounts of anesthesia given to patients, the time given, and patient reaction. Some may be required to perform additional administrative tasks, such as writing reports or ordering supplies and equipment.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of nurse anesthetists varies based on their employer and job specialization. Nurse anesthetists spend their workdays seeing and treating patients in hospitals, medical clinics and offices, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and dental offices. Due to the nature of their work, nurse anesthetists must follow safety precautions to minimize the risk of back strain and exposure to infectious diseases or hazardous gases.
Human Environment. Nurse anesthetists work with other medical professionals, including physicians, surgeons, dentists, and anesthesiologists. Nurse anesthetists attend to the anesthesia and pain management needs of children, older adults, and those with chronic or terminal illnesses or disabilities. They also meet with patient families in a professional capacity.
Technological Environment. Nurse anesthetists use anesthetics and other medications, anesthesia masks and inhalers, intubation equipment, intravenous delivery methods, epidural or nerve-blocking catheters, digital anesthesia machines, cardiac monitors, sanitizing equipment, airway tubes, glucose monitors, electronic stethoscopes, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and surgical masks and gloves. Some facilities may use electronic medical records (EMR) to document patient history and medications.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as nurse anesthetists should prepare themselves by developing good study habits and studying anatomy, chemistry, mathematics, health, psychology, and biology. Volunteer or part-time work in the medical community may be available for high school students. Those interested in becoming nurse anesthetists should research and apply to undergraduate degree programs in nursing.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming nurse anesthetists should earn a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and complete additional graduate training in anesthesiology. Nurse anesthetist graduate training programs provide instruction in general nursing duties, such as patient care, infection control, nutrition, psychology, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as instruction in anesthesiology practices. Students must also complete a specified number of hours of clinical supervision in medical facilities. Applicants should consider attending an accredited program to facilitate the licensure process.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"About CRNAs." American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, www.aana.com/about-us/about-crnas/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
"Nurse Anesthetist." Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/nurse-anesthetist/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
“Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 29 Aug. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-1151 Nurse Anesthetists.” Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291151.htm. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.