Old Western movies often have a “doctoring” scene where a couple of tough cowboys hold down another cowboy (who may have imbibed some alcohol) while the town doctor (who also may have imbibed some alcohol) gets out his hack saw. Such were the days before anesthesia. Now, every surgery and many other medical procedures involves an anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who administers drugs that effectively block or minimize pain. It is important to give the right amount of an anesthetic and patients must be carefully monitored before, during and after the surgical procedure.
The specialized training required to do this job makes it one of the highest paid of all nursing professionals. In addition to the salary, becoming a CRNA guarantees that you will be able to find employment. If this nursing career sounds interesting to you, follow these steps towards becoming a CRNA.
- Know what CRNAs do. CRNAs are registered nurses who receive specialized, advanced practice training that allows them to administer anesthesia. They must assess the patient beforehand, work closely with the surgical team during operations or medical procedures, and oversee the patient’s recovery from the anesthesia postoperatively. The amount of drug must be adjusted appropriately during lengthy surgeries to keep the patient unconscious, but functioning. In some cases, a CRNA may work with an anesthesiologist, though some states and facilities allow them to work without this supervision.
- Obtain a 4-year undergraduate degree in nursing. After finishing high school, the best course to become a registered nurse is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Be prepared for coursework that includes a lot of science (including biology, chemistry, microbiology and anatomy), as well as social sciences, psychology, human development, critical thinking, and nursing. BSN programs typically require clinical experience and training in a hospital, clinic, or nursing home in addition to academic coursework.
- Take the licensing exam. After graduating with an undergraduate degree from a nursing program that is accredited, you can start training to be a registered nurse. First though, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing gives the exam. Check their website to find out the specific licensing requirements in your state for registered nurses.
- Prepare for advanced practice graduate education. There are several kinds of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), including nurse anesthetists. To be licensed as a CRNA, you will need a degree from a nurse anesthetist graduate program—and admission to these programs is tough and competitive. Most programs require 1 or 2 years work experience in a critical care or intensive care unit in addition to a high Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.
- Enroll in a graduate program at an accredited school. Make a shortlist of the nurse anesthetist graduate programs that you want to attend, and take note of their requirements. US News publishes a ranked list of these programs. Most are 2- to 3-year programs that provide intensive study and training in anatomy, biochemistry, pathophysiology, pharmacology and advanced nursing. You will also be exposed to hands-on training in anesthesia techniques and procedures.
- Get certified. The next step after graduating with a master’s degree is getting certified by passing the national examination of the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. This credential will allow you to look for a job as a CRNA. You will need to get recertified every two years by completing the required number of continuing education credits and demonstrating that you have been working as a CRNA.
- Job prospects and salary. In some states, certified registered nurse anesthetists can perform the same functions as an anesthesiologist. In addition to working in the surgical, diagnostic and obstetric departments in hospitals, CRNAs work with dentists, cosmetic surgeons and podiatrists in healthcare clinics and group practice offices. While CRNAs do not make as much money as anesthesiologists (even though they do much of the same work), their average annual salary—$160,000—makes this a lucrative nursing profession.
Becoming a CRNA involves investing several years in rigorous academic coursework and practical training, including putting in time in an acute care setting. These jobs involve a lot of responsibility since anesthetized patients are so vulnerable. CRNAs must be able to communicate effectively with doctors and highly skilled surgeons in crisis situations, and look after patients during their recovery. If you have the skills and temperament to meet these challenges and like the idea of playing an important role in patient care, think about becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.