Nurse Anesthetist
Anesthesia is the use of special drugs that temporarily block sensation in an area of the body or enable a patient to be kept unconscious and pain free during surgery. Anesthesia is administered by either an anesthesiologist (a physician who specializes in this area of practice) or a nurse anesthetist (a Registered Nurse who is specially trained in anesthesiology). As a key member of the operating team, the nurse anesthetist combines professional nursing skills with the science of anesthesia and works in collaboration with a doctor or dentist to administer and monitor anesthesia.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Although anesthetics are usually administered in a hospital operating room, the nurse anesthetist may work in the emergency room, in dental offices, outpatient settings and anywhere else anesthetics are administered.

HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION
General college preparation is recommended: Three courses in math including algebra I, algebra II and geometry, or a higher level math course for which algebra II is a prerequisite; three science courses including one biological science, one physical science and one lab course; four English units and two social studies units, including one in U.S. History; and two years of foreign language.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To become a nurse anesthetist, you must be a registered nurse with either a BSN or a bachelor’s degree in a biophysical science, then complete a mini-mum 24-month training course in anesthesiology from an approved school of nurse anesthesia. Often, training is through a graduate school and leads to a master’s degree. Course work includes principles of anesthesia practice, pharmacology, respiratory care, anatomy and physiology. After completing the training course, you must pass an examination by the Council on Certification for Nurse Anesthetists to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

AVERAGE STARTING SALARY
$50,000 - $70,000.