Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who are certified to administer anesthesia. Anesthesia is used to block pain whenever a patient is undergoing a procedure which may be uncomfortable. For example, it is used in dental offices to numb the mouth, and in a more extreme case, is used in surgery to render patients unconscious. Anesthesia is also useful in keeping patients motionless, allowing for the doctor’s work to be done precisely and carefully without worrying about patient interference. Nurse anesthetists can work as licensed independent practitioners or under the supervision of a physician. The amount of independence under which a nurse anesthetist works varies from state to state because of differing regulations. The variety of fields in nurse anesthetics ranges from podiatry work to obstetrician work, as the vast number of fields within the healthcare industry requires the skills of licensed nurse anesthetists to increase the comfort of their patients. In fact, each year, more than 26 million people in the United States undergo medical procedures that require anesthesia, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Employment positions for registered nurses, including nurse anesthetists, are expected to see a 23 percent growth in opportunities by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the health care sector grows to accommodate the increasing as well as aging world population, nursing positions will grow as well. Registered nurses are the largest health care occupation, and will likely stay in that top position. Overall, the job prospects for new nurse anesthetists looking to break into the field are positive.

Prospective nurse anesthetists must earn a minimum of a Master’s education in healthcare to become officially certified. Registered nurses looking to advance their careers should consider enrolling in a MHA program, which will open up more opportunities in highly lucrative and specialized nursing fields. After earning a Master’s degree in health care, prospective nurse anesthetists must also complete and pass a mandatory national certification exam, administered by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, to ensure that they are competent enough to take on the responsibilities of the important occupation.