How to Become Nurse Anesthetist
The job market for registered nurses continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of new jobs in the nursing field should grow by over 20 percent from 2008 to 2018. Within the field of registered nursing, the outlook for nurse anesthetists is strong, according to the bureau, although the University of Alabama-Birmingham notes the job market for nurse anesthetists fluctuates on a regular basis. According to PayScale, certified registered nurse anesthetists made an average salary of $101,446 to $154,227, as of November 2010.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Enroll in classes and complete your general education requirements and nursing school prerequisites. These will include courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biology and any other area of study deemed necessary by the nursing program you plan to attend. Research these requirements before you choose your school and plan on having to make a minimum grade point average in the prerequisite courses in order to be accepted into the nursing program (usually 3.0 to 3.5).
-
2
Finish nursing school. To become a registered nurse, you need to obtain an associate degree or bachelor's degree in nursing and be licensed in the state in which you intend to practice nursing. You will eventually have to pursue a master's degree, so obtaining the bachelor's degree from the outset is the most efficient path to becoming a nurse anesthetist. If you obtain an associate degree instead, plan on later finishing a bachelor's degree or enrolling in a nursing degree bridge program that allows you to obtain a master's degree while holding only an associate degree.
-
-
3
Obtain your nursing license from your state nursing board. All 50 states require that you be licensed and all of them recognize the NCLEX-RN exam as the standard licensing exam for registered nurses. Some states have additional licensing requirements; check to ensure that you have complied with all requirements for your state.
-
4
Gain at least one year of experience in a critical care setting. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, one year of experience in this setting is necessary in order to eventually be certified as a nurse anesthetist.
-
5
Obtain a master's degree in nursing from a program offering a specialization in nursing anesthesia. These programs are becoming more common nationwide, but some of the more well-recognized and established programs include those at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Detroit-Mercy and California State University, Fullerton. Program lengths can range from about 24 to 36 months and usually require clinical training in hospital setting.
-
6
Obtain certification through the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, or NBCRNA. Upon eligibility through the completion of an accredited nursing anesthesia program, you can sit for the national certification examination. Certification will qualify you for open positions as a nurse anesthetist.
-
1
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses
- University of Alabama Birmingham: Master of Nurse Anesthesia Program FAQs
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetistis: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) at a Glance
- National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists: Certification
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
More Like This
Comments
-
I'm a trainee theatre technician in a hospital...and I'm role in theatre is general anesthesia nurse...so would I apply job in any other hospital by requesting for that role oni...permanent anesthesia nurse? got future in that? well experienced for 3yyears time..tanx.
-
Want to learn more about Nurse Anesthetist salary and Nurse Anesthetist Schools then visit Nurse Anesthetist Career Center.
