There is far more to the Nursing profession other than just being a regular RN. Nurses have the option to specialize in any field that they choose. One of these specialties includes becoming a Nurse Anesthetist.

For hundreds of years, nurses all over the world have been administering anesthetics and analgesics to their patients. This was done under strict orders of Attending Physicians. Nurses themselves did not have the right to administer any medication on their own free will. Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist changes that.

Nurse Anesthetists enjoy a great degree of autonomy from other physicians when it comes to decision making. Even though their duties extend only to the Operating Room (OR) setting, they are now treated as equals and not as subordinates who merely take orders. This type of specialty is perfect for a nurse who is most comfortable in the OR setting.

What is a Nurse Anesthetist?

A Nurse Anesthetist is a specially trained Registered Nurse. These nurses are in charge of administering the required anesthetics for a patient who is to undergo surgery. The Nurse Anesthetist is responsible for monitoring the patients Vital Signs throughout the entire operation. He/she is also the one to insert the necessary IV lines and artificial airways. These and a few others are the responsibilities handled by a nurse in this field.

Requirements

The requirements for being a Nurse Anesthetist differ from country to country and from state to state. However, the basic principles of accreditation remain the same. A nurse who is interested in becoming a nurse anesthetist must undergo the necessary trainings. This may include taking some post graduate course as well as several hours of field experience.

The basic requirements of becoming a Nurse Anesthetist include:

·         Minimum of 1 year experience as a nurse in a hospital or clinical setting

Some countries like the United States require that their Nurse Anesthetist undergo a special Nurse Anesthetist course in any accredited institution. This is also true for several European and Asian countries.

Certification and Licensure

After the necessary training and master’s courses have been completed, nurses may be required to take licensure examinations and apply for accreditation and certification. By doing so, nurses then earn the right to be considered as professional Nurse Anesthetist.