Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) has many responsibilities. They are responsible for not only managing, but also monitoring a patient’s pain level and vital functions during procedures. Nurse anesthetists have been around since the year 1956, providing anesthesia care to patients in the United States for more than 100 years.
According to the 1999 report, anesthesia care is 50 times safer than it was in the early 1980’s (“Become a CRNA. ). Although nursing has changed over time, there are still an abundant amount of requirements and qualifications, working conditions, commendable salaries, elongated days on the job, future needs, my interest in the career, and also an interview with a CRNA. Requirements and Qualifications Becoming a nurse anesthetist is not the simplest job. You have to meet many requirements and qualifications.
In order to become a CRNA, it requires that you must graduate from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). You also have to pass the certification exam administered by the COA (“Become a CRNA. “). All together, in order to be a CRNA it takes anywhere from 6-8 years of schooling (Starcher 4). Nurse Anesthetist spend typically two to three more years in school due to the high level of precision and knowledge that must be obtained (“Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist”).
Any four year college or university is where you can get your bachelor’s degree, after you obtain your bachelor’s, you can attend Platt College in Moore, Oklahoma, which offers three different nursing programs. Platt College offers practical nursing, medical assistant/phlebotomy, and respiratory care. (“Schools and Programs. “). After you have your nursing licence you must work as an intern or resident at your choice of working condition. In the medical field you must have different qualities.
Ideal qualities to have for becoming a CRNA is being able to remain calm and stay in control under pressure, be able to easily and quickly perform biometric calculations, be able to multi-task and follow protocols on demand, and be able to explain medical procedures and sedation to the patients and also their families (“Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist”). You must also have to use teamwork, as for the teamwork system is very common in being a CRNA (Starcher 1). I am very calm and relaxed in stressful situations and enjoy being in control. I also enjoy helping people.
I believe my characteristics would benefit me well in this specific career. Working Conditions and Salary Becoming a nurse means you can work in a variety of different workspaces. For becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, you can work in whatever workspace fits you best. There is a traditional hospital, obstetrical delivery rooms, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and many more (“Become a CRNA. “). There are a few risk that come with being a nurse anesthetist. This job can be both physically and emotionally stressful.
Most CRNA’s are at a higher risk of back injury due to all of the lifting and moving of patients. There could also be accidental needle sticks or even patient outbreaks (“Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners”). The salary is commendable. The median pay is $167,412, normally ranging from $153,422 to $183,277. The highest salary you can expect is around $198,000. The pay can be affected by various reasons ranging from the industry, company size, location, years of experience, and level of education (“Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist”).
Although the salary is outstanding, it can be a downfall trying to work your way up there. You have to pay for college and then nursing school, which could range anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000, or possibly even more depending on where you attend school (“Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist”). Other benefits that come with being a nurse anesthetist is that you are working in a safe workplace, yet you are still capable of doing what you love while being paid for it. Typical Day
The typical day of a CRNA can vary depending on how busy you are that day and also where you work. “The majority of the day, we work in a clinical setting; also known as an operating room” said Debbi Malina. Malina is currently a certified registered nurse. However, she started her whole career off by working at a nursing home, which inspired her to move up to a more difficult and challenging job. Work hours may vary depending on what type of work setting you are in. The typical work hours are normally from 7am. to 3 pm.
Being a CRNA it can be difficult to manage your schedule. You may have to work nights, weekdays, and possibly even holidays. Nurse anesthetist, depending on where you work, could also be permitted to work an on call schedule (“Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners”). “The best part of the day is being able to connect with your patients and make them feel safe and secure about the procedure. The most challenging part of the day would have to be the stress that comes with making sure everything is perfect and precise for the procedure. says Malina.
Future Needs for being a CRNA In 2013, there were 350,000 employed CRNAs. The projected job growth between 2012 and 2022 is 25% (“Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist”). The future needs to become a CRNA is to go to college, stay in the medical field, and also accredit 40 plus hours in nursing school (“Schools and Programs. “). The demand for nurse anesthetists are rising rapidly. The career itself will stay the same in the form of the requirements. However, shortages will persist until 2020.
Rand Corporations have predicted that there will be more shortages of Anesthesiologist, rather than nurse anesthetists (“Site-Wide Navigation 2-3”). This career is needed all around the world, although the metropolitan areas are where CRNAs are needed most (“Become a CRNA. “). Interest in being a CRNA Ever since I was little I have dreamed of being a doctor and saving people’s lives. Although a CRNA does not exactly fit that description, it is something that really interest me. I believe that the thrill and pressure that comes with this career would constantly be pushing me to do my best.
I have talked to my family about my future and how I would like to pursue it. My family shows an abundant amount of support about my choices and interest. With my family by my side and their help, I believe that I will be able to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. I would be very excited about having a job that sparks my interest and also has a commendable salary. Personal Interview Linterviewed Debbi Malina, a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She started off working at nursing homes and it seemed to spark her interest.
Malina then decided to go to nursing school to become a CRNA. Melina said that the schooling is by far the hardest part of becoming a nurse anesthetist. I have learned that the life of a nurse anesthetist will be very stressful. However, with the right teamwork and attitude, it will be worth it in the end. Malina quotes “Becoming a CRNA is a very prolonged and stressful process, however, I never gave up and kept chasing after my dreams. ” As Melina spoke I realized that my dreams could come true just as easily as hers did.
After my interview, I learned that giving up is not going to get you anywhere. I also learned that you have to believe in yourself and chase your dreams no matter how much you feel like giving up. Conclusion In conclusion, becoming a CRNA will be a very difficult process. Although nursing has changed over time, there are still an abundant amount of requirements and qualifications, working conditions, commendable salaries, elongated days on the job, future needs, my interest in the career, and also an interview with a CRNA.
I have always wanted to go into the medical field and serve as a doctor of some sort. Therefore, believe that a certified registered nurse anesthetist is a job that I would be willing to commit to as well as enjoy. I am very excited to see if it will be possible for me to pursue my dreams of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. I know that as long as I keep aiming high and never give up, my dreams can become my own reality.
