How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist in Maryland
A nurse anesthetist is a registered nurse who has taken extra education credits and training to be able to give anesthesia. The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) title is the symbol of the nurse's qualifications and abilities. These nurses give around 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients every year. Many times the CRNAs are the only people that can give anesthesia. To become a nurse anesthetist in Maryland, specific steps need to be taken.
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Instructions
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Enroll in an undergraduate program. You will need to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, but the nursing shortage has caused shortages of teachers in nursing schools. There are a lot of wait lists, so you may opt to go to a two-year college and then transfer to a university.
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Get real experience. You will need to earn your registered license boards. Then you will need a minimum of a year of acute care nursing experience.
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Earn a Master of Science in nursing. You will need to attend a graduate program that will give advanced training in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and more. You will also learn many anesthesia techniques and different procedures for surgery and obstetrics.
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Take the CRNA. In Maryland, you will be able to practice under the supervision of an approved anesthesiologist or CRNA. You must provide the Maryland Board a copy of the test date. You must also immediately notify both the Board and your supervisor of your results (see Resources below).
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Follow the requirements for licensure in Maryland. You will need to fill out the Nurse Anesthetist Certification Application. One requirement is to fill out a collaboration agreement and send it to the Maryland Board of Nursing (see Resources below).
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Keep your license up to date. Your certification expires on July 31, 2 years after certification is granted. For re-certification, you must show proof of a valid registered nurse license, 40 hours of continuing education credits, record of practice and certification that you are free of problems that may interfere with your ability to practice nurse anesthesiology.
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