What is a Nurse Anesthetist?
Job Description: Administer anesthesia, monitor patients’ vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
Nurse Anesthetist Responsibilities
- Perform or manage regional anesthetic techniques, such as local, spinal, epidural, caudal, nerve blocks and intravenous blocks.
- Select, prepare, or use equipment, monitors, supplies, or drugs for the administration of anesthetics.
- Assess patients’ medical histories to predict anesthesia response.
- Perform pre-anesthetic screenings, including physical evaluations and patient interviews, and document results.
- Select, order, or administer pre-anesthetic medications.
- Administer post-anesthesia medications or fluids to support patients’ cardiovascular systems.
Key Skills
- Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions.
- Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, asking questions, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring – Assessing performance of yourself or others to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Active Learning – Understanding the implications of new information for current and future problem solving and decision‑making.
Common Titles
- Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Senior Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Senior CRNA)
- Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Chief CRNA)
- Staff Nurse Anesthetist
Employment Outlook (U.S.)
In 2016 there were approximately 41,800 Nurse Anesthetist positions. New jobs are projected to grow at 16.3% annually, above the national average, with about 6,800 new jobs by 2026.
High growth states include Utah, California, and Florida. Areas with slower growth include Wyoming, Hawaii, and District of Columbia.
Compensation
Average annual salary ranges from $116,820 to $208,000. Highest pay is typically found in Montana, California, and Wisconsin.
Common Technologies
Technologies frequently used by Nurse Anesthetists include:
- Microsoft Word
- MEDITECH software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
- eClinicalWorks
- e-MDs software
- SOAPware EMR
- Allscripts Professional EHR
- ChartWare EMR
- NextGen Healthcare Information Systems EMR
- Cerner Millennium
- SynaMed EMR
- Texas Medical Software SpringCharts EMR
- MicroFour PracticeStudio.NET EMR
- Medscribbler Enterprise
- Amkai AmkaiCharts
- StatCom Patient Flow Logistics Enterprise Suite
- Skyscape AnesthesiaDrugs
- AetherPalm InfusiCalc
- Drug database software