Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist Being a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist) is such an important career that is crucial to the medical department. CRNA’s do not only prep the patient, but many also give the anesthesia. It is essential that each patient who comes through the hospital about to go under the needle is received proper anesthesia, and this is where CRNA’s get involved. There are many different types of nurses out there for many different types of medical issues. So what exactly do CRNA’s do?
“Nurse Anesthetists are registered nurses with advanced training in Anesthesiology, the branch of medicine that deals with administering drugs that enable a patient to lose sensitivity with or without loss of consciousness” (Griffin 1). The CRNA’s are responsible for obtaining the patients history, evaluating how much anesthesia will be given, coming up with a plan for the administration process (which results in often consulting with the Anesthesiologist first) and then prior to the surgery in the morning, administers through an IV, a sedative.
“Throughout the surgery, the nurse anesthetist monitors the patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, and temperature) by watching the video and digital displays. The nurse anesthetist is also responsible for maintaining the patient’s blood, water, and salt levels at all times by readjusting the flow of anesthetics and other medications to ensure optimal results” (1). CRNA’s also take care of the patients after the surgery, observing vitals and looking out for any complications when it comes to the patient returning to consciousness.
Not all Nurse Anesthetists work with big cases where the patient has to go completely unconscious. Many do local visits where they administer just a small form of anesthesia at which the patient is most likely still awake, it just numbs the spot where the patient is being worked on. Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist is not an easy task for anyone to complete. Education is everything and the requirements are extensive.
CRNA’s are required to all of the following: a high school diploma which students were suggested to take multiple health and science classes to help speed along the process, and “a bachelor’s degree and have at least one year’s acute care nursing experience” (Griffin 2). When it comes down to getting into the nursing school, the programs are extremely competitive, “and programs last 24 to 36 months. All accredited programs offer at least a master’s degree, and some offer a post-master’s certificate or a doctorate.
Students take extensive classes in pharmacology and the sciences. They also acquire hundreds of hours of anesthesia-related clinical experience in surgery and obstetrics” (2). A CRNA’s career path is very extensive and takes hard work, long hours and patience, they are not handed just their license, because administering anesthesia is a very dangerous process. Nurse Anesthesiologists must also have a positive mind set and be able to keep calm in any situation so they can keep their patients calm and collected as well.
A CRNA’s attitude and time management skills towards their work and patients are extremely crucial and may result in life or death situations. Once students pass their tests and go through all of their requirements to becoming certified their journey is not over yet, CRNA’s are always learning and gathering new information, constantly taking tests and observing clinicals. “All registered nurses must be licensed to practice in the United States.
In addition, nurse anesthetists are required to pass a national certification exam given by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. All states recognize certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) status” (2). Nurse anesthesiologists put a great amount of hours into obtaining their certifications, working overnights, traveling, and constantly studying and preparing themselves for many tests. When CRNA’s finally get handed their certificate and find a good secure workplace THAT is when they start seeing how their hard work pays off.
“Nurse anesthetists are among the highest paid nursing specialists, For example, Salary. com reports that the average annual salaries for certified nurse anesthetists in 2010 ranged from $144,384 to $165,037, with the highest paid 10 percent earning $174,812, annually” (2) But the money is not all that brings delight to a CRNA. Being able to help many patients who are going through hard times in which some may be going through life or death situations is a heartwarming action that will always be needed.
CRNA’s prove to have some of the greatest reviews when it comes to how they help their patients after their surgery, in recovery. Being a CRNA is an extremely stable job at which society will need forever so it is crucial that each is registered correctly with the full amount of knowledge and compassion to their work. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists are hardcore trained and determined nurses who go through many hours of studying, clinicals, and being on their feet.
Their actions serve a purpose to society and will never not be crucial to the health department. Becoming a CRNA is a drawn out process which requires many long hours of studying and hands-on learning, but in the end getting that certificate and being able to help people and see their happiness while having the highest paying job is the most rewarding thing that anyone could obtain from working so hard towards the career that they want.