Also called: CRNA, Nurse Anesthetist
Puts patients to sleep for surgery and keeps them safe and pain-free until they wake up.
Checks the patient's history, places an IV and breathing tube, then watches heart rate, oxygen, and blood pressure second by second while adjusting anesthetic drugs. In rural hospitals, CRNAs are often the only anesthesia providers.
BLS May 2024; 90th percentile is top-coded and estimated.
Doctorate (PhD), about 8 years after high school. BSN, at least a year of ICU nursing, then a 3-year Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Nursing (BSN), Nursing (ADN), Chemistry, Biology.
Growing much faster than average (about 35% over 10 years). Combined APRN group projection (2024-34).
Low risk for 10 years. Closed-loop monitors and drug pumps help with routine adjustments; airways, emergencies and anesthesia judgment stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Physics, Anatomy & physiology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1151.
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