Nursing Specialties

Although nurse anesthetists began providing extensive health care in the United States 100 years ago, they only recently received due recognition. Each year they administer about 65% of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients nationwide. This number is as high as 85% in rural areas. Many hospitals that do not have anesthesiologists rely totally on these professionals. Men make up 42% of America's 28,000 nurse anesthetists, compared to approximately 5% of the total nursing profession.

Nurse anesthetists practice in numerous environments. These include traditional surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; doctors' offices; ambulatory surgical centers; and U.S. Military and Veteran hospitals.

To become a nurse anesthetist, students must have a Bachelor's in Nursing, current license as a registered nurse, at least one year's experience in an acute care nursing setting and graduate degree from an accredited school of nurse anesthesia. They must then become pass a test...
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