How Long Does It Take to Become an Anesthesiologist
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Anesthesiologist?
On Feb 8, 2013
February 8, 2013
By Health eCareers
A nurse anesthesiologist is also referred to as a nurse anesthetist. Because these nurses are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients, they require extensive education and training. Making a patient go unconscious is dangerous and requires attention to detail and a varied background in physiology, biology, chemistry and other sciences. The road to becoming a nurse anesthesiologist is a long road, but it can be rewarding, financially as well as in the area of job satisfaction because of the importance of the job in medical treatments.
The Facts
There are many educational requirements to become a nurse anesthesiologist. After high school, you must earn a 4-year degree and become a registered nurse (RN). There are some programs that take less time to become a registered nurse, but because a nurse anesthesiologist also requires a master's degree, the 4-year degree is a requirement. After the 4 years and the degree, a graduate must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses to become an RN. After becoming a registered nurse, a nurse must complete 1 year of acute-care nursing. Then the nurse must enter a graduate program that leads to a master's degree as well as certification as a nurse anesthesiologist. The graduate program usually takes from 24 to 36 months.
Significance
The length of time to become a nurse anesthesiologist is significant for several reasons. The 4-year degree program helps the student pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, the exam to become a registered nurse. This is difficult, and many nurses opt for the less-stringent requirements to become licensed practical nurses, or LPNs. The undergraduate program also helps the student to survive the rigors of postgraduate study. These educational requirements are necessary because anesthesiology is a complex science in which missteps can cost lives.
Coursework
The early courses in the lengthy training that is required of nurse anesthesiologists are in physiology, nursing theory, biology, chemistry and nursing theory. The postgraduate training involves more focused coursework in the effects of anesthesia and the monitoring of vital signs while patients are unconscious. Clinical work and training is essential in preparing to become a nurse anesthesiologist, and graduate programs have intensive courses in place that use clinical work as learning tools.
Misconceptions
Students who want to become nurse anesthesiologists might do so initially because they believe it is a position that is less demanding than physicians while earning comparable salaries. But because of the clinical preparation that is required before the administering of anesthesia, along with the intense monitoring of vital functions, the demands of being a nurse anesthesiologist are quite high. Also, after all of education that a nurse anesthesiologist needs before beginning to practice the profession, a student might expect that no more training is needed. However, nurse anesthesiologists are generally expected to receive additional annual training to keep up with current medical practices.
Expert Insight
The important of being a nurse anesthesiologist should not be underestimated. While some physicians and surgeons might have attitudes that look down upon nurse anesthesiologists, that they take secondary roles in the health care industry, a nurse anesthesiologist is absolutely necessary and one of the most taxing positions in the industry because every human body's chemistry is slightly different and responds differently to anesthesia. Therefore the observation skills of a nurse anesthesiologist must be high as well as the ability to intensely focus on vital signs while patients are anesthetized.
Hey, check out all the nurse anesthesiologist jobs. Upload your resume today!
Related Healthcare Career Articles:
How Long Does It Take to Become an Anesthesiologist
Source: https://www.healthecareers.com/article/career/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-nurse-anesthesiologist