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Nurse Anesthetist

The nurse anesthetist is the oldest of the nursing specialties and has grown to the extent that today more than 50 percent of the anesthesia used is administered by nurse anesthetists. The nurse anesthetist is a registered nurse with advanced education and training and works under the direction of a physician.

The nurse anesthetist is an important part of the surgical team and must offer psychological assurance and support to the patient as well as perform the highly technical and scientific part of the operation. Since all situations-in which anesthesia is required have a certain amount of stress, the person who enters this specialty must be able to work under pressure and to maintain control of their mind and emotions at all times. Most nurse anesthetists are employed by hospitals, but some work in group practice and there are those who independently contract their services where needed. Some are employed by dentists who perform dental surgery.

Nurse anesthetists administer intravenous, spinal, and other anesthetics as needed for surgical operations, deliveries, and other medical and dental procedures. They control the flow of the gases or injected fluids to maintain the needed anesthetic state of the patient. Nurse anesthetists monitor such vital signs as blood pressure, pulse, and color to assess the condition of the patient and administer emergency measures when indicated to prevent the patient from going into shock. They keep the physician apprised of the patient's condition and keep records of the preoperative and postoperative condition of the patient and all anesthesia and medication administered.

Because of their intensive training in respiratory and cardiopulmonary function, nurse anesthetists are often called upon to assist in the resuscitation of patients in intensive care, coronary care and other emergency situations.

Job Outlook
Good. Nurse anesthetists will continue to be in demand as medical technology continues to advance.

Educational Requirements
To enter an accredited nurse anesthetist program, you must possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing or other appropriate baccalaureate degree, hold an RN license and have a minimum of one year's experience in an acute care setting. The nurse anesthetist program ranges from 24 to 36 months and includes both academic and clinical instruction. Part of the education includes experiences in management of respiratory care and emergency resuscitative responsibilities in intensive care units, recovery rooms and other acute patient care areas. After successful completion, a national qualifying examination is given for required certification.

Educational Programs - Chicago Area