Pursue A Nursing Career As A Crna

One of the highest paid nursing opportunities available in the United States is that of the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)

. CRNAs are licensed nursing specialists who are able to provide anesthesia to patients at all stages of the surgical process - much in the same way that a regular anesthesiologist does. The CRNA profession involves a national certification that paves the way for the nurse to practice anesthesiology in every state in the United States. If you have been looking for a unique niche opportunity within the health care profession - and want to be near the top of nursing care earning potential - then a job as a CRNA may be for you.

These nursing professionals work closely with a variety of medical providers ranging from dentists to surgeons to doctors of anesthesiology. They are responsible for performing preliminary assessments of physical condition prior to surgery, as well as any information about the process that needs to be imparted to the patient. Administration of anesthesia is done with the goal of eliminating patient pain during the surgical process, so the CRNA is responsible for maintaining a safe level of anesthesia throughout the surgery. In addition, these experts are charged with managing the patient's recovery from the anesthetic state.

Nursing anesthetist professionals are one of the only nursing groups who remain by their patient's side throughout the course of their treatment. This is because every aspect of the patient's bodily functions needs to be monitored and adjusted to ensure that the procedure is safe and the patient is free of unnecessary distress. Of the more than twenty million cases where anesthesia is administered each year, CRNAs are responsible for managing nearly sixty five percent. The number of CRNAs providing their services to patients in the United States is now estimated to be in excess of 28,000.

To enter a program for accreditation as an anesthetic nursing professional, you must have completed a bachelor's degree in nursing in addition to receiving your registered nursing license. You should also have at least one full year of experience in acute nursing care. While a master's degree is not necessary to enter a program for anesthetic nursing, it should be recognized that most of these programs can in fact lead to a master's degree. The basic educational curriculum involves study in the areas of physiology, pharmacology, chemistry, and many other subjects. In addition, clinical study involving anesthesia technology and techniques is a critical component of the educational process.

Some of the areas in which nursing anesthesiologists are most in demand include private clinics and hospitals, delivery rooms, surgery centers, dental offices, and pain management facilities. There are also CRNAs at work within the United States military and almost any medical arena in which patients need well-monitored pain management during a medical procedure.

Finally, since the phrase "highest paid nursing opportunity" surely caught your attention in the opening sentence above, you are probably wondering just how much that compensation might be. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists has determined that the salary of the average CRNA in the year 2008 was more than $160,000 a year.

by: Karen Williams

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