A nurse anesthetist (AE) is a registered nurse and advanced practice nurse who has acquired additional education and training to administer anesthesia. The title, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), reflects the nurse's qualifications and abilities.
Nurse anesthetists practice in all 50 of the United States and administer approximately 30 million anesthetics given to patients in the United States each year (AANA 2006 Practice Profile Survey). The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional organization representing greater than 90 percent of the nation's CRNAs. There are 37,000 members in the AANA. This includes certified, recertified, and student members. Approximately 42% of the CRNAs are men, versus approximately 8% in the nursing profession as a whole.
CRNAs practice in a wide variety of settings including public and private sectors, traditional hospital settings, pain clinics, physician's offices, or in solo practice. They have a substantial role in the military, Veterans Administration (VA), and public health. They may work with podiatrists, dentists, anesthesiologists, surgeons, obstetricians and other professionals requiring their services. Frequently, CRNAs will provide care alongside an anesthesiologist, in what is termed the Anesthesia Care Team. This combines the expertise of both a physician and nurse anesthetist to provide excellent peri-operative care. CRNAs can administer anesthesia in all types of surgical cases, and are able to apply all the accepted anesthetic techniques - general, regional, local, or sedation.Any restrictions on CRNA practice are dependent on the hospital's credentialing process and the anesthesia department's guidelines. Each health care facility will have a list of allowed privileges for allied health practitioners. Like physicians, these privileges are based on prior training, certifications and experience.State law does not define this aspect of practice; it defines the extent of collaboration (or supervision) with the surgeon or anesthesiologist.
Most lay people and health professionals do not have knowledge of the world wide extent of nurse anesthesia practice. Anesthesiologists (physician anesthesia specialists) usually practice in developed and modern countries. This leaves many undeveloped nations with few anesthesiologists, and therefore they rely mainly on nurse anesthetists. In 1989, an international organization of nurse anesthetists was established.The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) has flourished in membership and has become an authoritative voice for nurse anesthetists worldwide. They have developed standards of education and practice, and a code of ethics. Delegates from member countries participate in the World Congress every few years. Recent studies by the IFNA found anesthesia care worldwide is both a medical and nursing function. Researchers identified 107 countries where nurse anesthetists train and practice and 9 countries where nurses assist in the administration of anesthesia.
EducationIn order to be qualified to become an Nurse Anesthetist, one needs to finish his or her BSN/RN in a reputable university and have a high GPA score (3.3 or higher). Additionally, one needs at least 2-3 years experience in the ICU, OR or ER. With these prerequisites finished, one can apply for a Masters In Nursing in Nurse Anesthesia. After the 2 year Master's Program, one will be given the degree of CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
The certification and recertification process is governed by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). The NBCRNA exist as an autonomous not-for-profit incorporated organization to prevent any conflict of interest with the AANA. This provides assurance to the public that CRNA candidates have met unbiased certification requirements that have exceeded benchmark qualifications and knowledge of anesthesia.
Nurse anesthetists may continue their education to the terminal degree level, either earning a Ph.D., DNSc (Doctor of Nursing Science), DNAP (Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice), or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). At the terminal degree level, nurse anesthetists have a wider variety of professional choices available to them, and may teach, participate in administration or pursue research. Currently, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has endorsed a position statement that will move the current entry level of training for nurse anesthetists in the United States to the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP).
CompensationThe
average annual salary range of Nurse Anesthetists in the United States in 2007 was recorded at $150,000. It is possible, with over time, to make as much as $250,000+
It is a very lucrative field.
Are you Interested?http://www.aana.com/Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=12768.0
Topic: Career in Nurse Anesthesia (Read 1681 times)