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Nurse anesthetistImage:Agc.jpgImage:Mu00017.jpg A Nurse Anesthetist (AE) is a Registered Nurseeducated and trained to administer anesthesia. Their title, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), reflects their qualifications and abilities. Education and training varies depending on the country. In the United States, for example, education is overseen by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists' Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs [1]. In the U.S., nurse anesthetists first complete registered nursing school at the baccalaureate level, typically a four-year program. Then, most nurse anesthesia programs in the United States require at least two years of nursing experience in a critical or acute care environment. Following that, they then enroll in an accredited program of anesthesia education for an additional two to three years which combines theory, didactic education and clinical practice. Upon passage of a national certification examination, they are also certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA). Most CRNAs have master's degreesin anesthesia. CRNAs also have Continuing Education requirements, and recertification program every two years thereafter. Some nurse anesthetists continue their education to the terminal degree level, either earning a PhD or DNSc (Doctor of Nursing Science). At the terminal degree level, nurse anesthetists have a wide variety of professional choices available to them. They may pursue research, teach, participate in administration or a combination of any of those activities and more. As advanced practice nurses, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists or CRNAs, practice with a high degree of autonomy and professional respect. They carry a great load of responsibility and are compensated accordingly. All CRNAs are held to the same high standards of practice as physician anesthetists. Studies have shown no difference in outcomes between these two groups of practitioners. According to numerous salary reports throughout the years, CRNAs remain the highest compensated of all nursing specialties. Their average reported annual salary range in 2004 reported by the AMGA Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey was between US $125,000 and $140,914. Indeed, some Nurse Anesthetists in private practice may earn two to three times this average. [2]A total of 42 percent of the United States' 28,000 CRNAs are men, versus approximately 5 percent in the nursing profession as a whole.
Scope Of PracticeEach American state has constitutional authority to regulate the practice of nursing, and each state's board of nursing establishes guidelines for practice for nurse anesthetists. CRNAs are permitted to practice in all 50 United States. All states have nurse anesthetists associations, which help in governing the practice of nurse anesthesia, among other tasks. [3]Several other nations allow nurses to administer anesthesia. The following link is a partial list of those nations' nurse anesthesia agencies [4]. CRNAs practice in a wide variety of settings including for the military, public and private sectors, traditional hospital settings, pain clinics, physician's offices, or in solo. They may work with podiatrists, dentists, anesthesiologists (anesthesia physician), surgeons, obstetricians and more. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, CRNAs provide the majority of anesthesia in rural settings in the United States, and in over 2/3 of all rural hospitals are the solitary anesthesia providers. CRNAs may practice as employees, or in an as-needed, on-call basis or short-term. Such assignments are often called locum tenens. Many hospitals, especially tertiary referral centers, may require an Anesthesiologist to supervise the CRNA. However, CRNAs are not necessarily required to have physician supervision in order to practice. Each state in the United states can choose to allow independent practice under current medicare guidelines. Historically, CRNAs practiced independently. HistoryNurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care in the United States for over 125 years. Nurses first provided anesthesia to wounded soldiers during the Civil War. More than 90% of this country?s nurse anesthetists are members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. A chronological history of significant events in nurse anesthesia history is available here [5]. External links
Categories: Anesthesia| Nursing specialties
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