THE WORLD IS CHANGING RAPIDLY, SO ARE HEALTH CARE CAREERS

Home About Us Our Sponsors Careers Education Employers Labor Market Info Important Links Downloads Contact Us		Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist  (Nursing) DID YOU KNOW?   (click for more) DID YOU KNOW?   (click to hide) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist - Did-You-Know: 1. Nurse anesthesia students practice various clinical anesthesia procedures and case scenarios on computerized human patient simulators (Laerdal SimMan at MTSA) in the Simulation Skills Center 2. Nurse anesthesia students not only view classroom lecture slides on the big screen in the lecture hall, but also may simultaneously view them on their own laptops via wireless internet in the lecture hall using Blackboard and can add their own notes on their personal laptops in real-time. Students can also access the class presentation throughout a given time period from any location using Blackboard via the internet. 3. Nurse anesthesia students utilize the internet to perform meta-analyses of multiple research articles on various topics. 4. Nurse anesthesia students can choose to utilize handheld PDAs to look up drugs. 5. Nurse anesthesia students utilize a web-based program to keep track of all cases performed and time spent in clinical and study. 6. Nurse anesthesia students complete all school evaluations using a web-based program and the internet. How is technology impacting any of the following areas in the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist field? 1. Education: All items mentioned above. 2. Research: Internet for research decreases amount of time needed to access articles and increases the number of articles able to be accessed easily. 3. Direct patient care: Computerized charting & PDAs to look up drugs, as needed. 4. Administrative issues: E-mail is used constantly for communication. Company calendars are used daily by all Administrative staff. Web-based catalogs are used for applicants. Web-based (and printed hard-copy) handbooks are used for current students. 5. Any other area you deem important: MTSA is currently incorporating live streaming video capability to broadcast live into the lecture hall (for the entire class of students) the activities occurring simultaneously in the Simulation Skills Center with small groups of students (& another instructor) using the computerized human patient simulators. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Nurse anesthesia is an advanced clinical nursing specialty. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) work closely with other healthcare professionals such as surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, and anesthesiologists. A CRNA takes care of a patient`s anesthesia needs before, during and after surgery or the delivery of a baby by: performing a physical assessment; participating in preoperative teaching; preparing for anesthetic management; administering anesthesia to keep the patient pain free; maintaining anesthesia; overseeing recovery from anesthesia; and following the patient`s postoperative course from the recovery room to patient care unit. Nurse Anesthetists stay with their patients for the entire operative procedure, constantly monitoring every important body function and individually modifying the anesthetic medication to ensure maximum safety and comfort. Mean annual salary for this position is $126,694 (according to Salary.com). WHERE EMPLOYED: CRNAs practice in a variety of private and public sectors and in the U.S. military, including traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, and physicians` offices. They practice alone, in groups and collaboratively. Some CRNAs have independent contracting arrangements with physicians or hospitals. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Must enjoy working with people and have the initiative to work independently. CRNAs need good judgment, the ability to identify and solve problems quickly, and advanced understanding of chemistry, biology, and pharmacology. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Graduate degree and certification. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: CRNAs are required to have 24 to 36 months of graduate level coursework including both classroom and extensive clinical experience. Most CRNA programs offer a master’s degree, some offer doctoral degrees. Depending on the particular program, the degrees are in nursing, allied health, or biological sciences. CRNAs must also pass a national certification exam. As a part of the recertification process they must also earn 40 hours of continuing education credits every two years. Educational program types for this career. EMPLOYERS: Potential employers for this career. LAST UPDATED: 9/9/2007 - Update Current status - Active
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