Nurse Anesthetists - Research Paper Example

Nurse Anesthetists The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit to discuss and describe the nurse anesthetist in terms of job description, education and certification, employment, and professional activities; and (2) to reflect on how you see yourself “fitting” into the profession. Nurse Anesthetists I. Job Description Nurse anesthetists are responsible for inducing and maintaining anesthesia at required levels and for supporting life functions during the administration of anesthesia (Fitzpatrick & Ea, 2012, 99).

Nurse anesthetists work in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals in the emergency and operating rooms, plastic surgery, dental and orthopedic practices, and in physicians’ offices. When necessary, nurse anesthetists may administer all types of anesthesia and may perform general, local, and regional anesthesia procedures using invasive monitoring techniques to pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. In order to be a nurse anesthetist, one must first be a registered nurse and then pass and obtain certification from the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA, 2012, n.p.). II. Education and Certification According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) (2012), there were 111 nurse anesthesia educational programs in the United States which are all affiliated with or operated by academic institutions and clinical sites (n.p.).

The educational institution offering the program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Usually, the nurse anesthesia programs range from 24-36 months in length and are all at the master’s degree or higher; however, length may vary according to academic requirements and course works. Preparation to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist would take seven years of education and experience with an average cost of $ 11, 741 per year (AANA, 2012, n.p.).

The educational requirements of a nurse anesthetist include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or other appropriate baccalaureate degree and a graduation with a minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program whereas registration and certification requirements include possession of registered nurse license and passing the national certification examination following graduation (AANA, 2012, n.p.). In addition, one must have at least one year of experience as a registered nurse in the acute care settings. III. Employment According to the U.

S Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012), the demand for CRNAs is high among various settings in private and public sectors of United States including military, traditional hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, and physicians’ offices with reported average annual salary in 2005 to approximately $ 160,000 (n.p.). This has made the nurse anesthetist profession as one of the best paid nursing specialties. Beattie (2012) cited that the employment outlook or growth trends for CRNAs and other registered nurse specialties are expected to grow 21%-35% through the end of the decade, particularly in medically underserved areas such as inner cities and rural areas (n.p.).

In fact, there is still a shortage of nurse anesthetist across the United States. As a nurse anesthetist gained experience, the annual salary can grow as much as $ 200,000. Meanwhile, a locum tenens or entry level nurse anesthetists can earn $95 to $105 per hour or approximately $3,800-$4,200 for a 40-hour work week (anesthesiazone.com, 2012, n.p.). A minimum of two-year experience is required for certified registered nurse anesthetist positions and other allied advance nurse specialties (U.S.

Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004, 303). IV. Professional Activities The national professional organization for nurse anesthetists is the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Students enrolled in accredited programs of nurse anesthesia shall be eligible for student Associate membership that costs $ 100 (AANA, 2012, n.p.). The fee for the student Associate membership enabled the students’ to subscribe and receive professional publications or journals. Meanwhile, nurse anesthetists are required by the state and their profession to earn continuing educational units of 40 hours of continuing education every two years in order to maintain their CRNA status. V. Conclusion/Reflection Upon learning all the information above, I came to see myself fit in the position of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

I learned that it would take a lot of preparations, financial expenses, and sense of responsibility and accountability to be a certified registered nurse anesthetist but with motivation and passion for knowledge and caring, I believe that all preparations could be surpassed effectively. I had discovered that the nurse anesthetist profession is one of the most highest paid jobs among nursing specialties; however, coupled with this high grade salary is the high level of stress and sense of accountability.

As I did my research, I also discovered that students can also be a member of American Association of Nurse Anesthetist and that experience determines the amount of salary a nurse anesthetist could gain. I found the salary grade and continuous educational opportunities important as the financial will help me in my future educational endeavors and the continuous educational opportunities will mold me to be an effective and competitive nurse in various health care settings. References American Association of Nurse Anesthetist (AANA). (2012). Qualifications and Capabilities of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from http://www.aana.com/ceandeducation/becomeacrna/Pages/Qualifications-and-Capabilities-of-the-Certified-Registered-Nurse-Anesthetist-.aspx Anesthesiazone.com. (2012). CRNA Salaries. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from http://www.anesthesiazone.com/crna-salaries.aspx Beatti, L. The Employment Outlook for Nurse Anesthetists. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from http://www.anesthesiazone.com/featured-news-article.aspx?id=2444 Fitzpatrick, J.J. & Ea, E.E. (2012). General Practice Nurse Anesthetist.

201 Careers in Nursing (p. 99-102). New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012). Employment by Occupation. Retrieved on May 16, 2012 from http://www.bls.gov/ U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2004). Health diagnosing and treating practitioners. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-2005 (p. 277-310). Los Angeles: Claitor's Law Books and Publishing.