Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who
specialize in administering anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery as
well as monitoring their health leading up to and after a procedure.
Online anesthesiology programs do not exist because they involve
rigorous on-the-job training through a hospital residency. Nurse
Anesthetists (CRNA), who work under the direct supervision of
physicians, may receive partial training through distance learning, but
again no program is fully online.
Overview of Anesthesiology Residency Programs
After completing four years of post-baccalaureate medical school and a
one-year hospital internship, residents may choose to specialize in
anesthesiology. On-site clinical training requires three years of
residency in a hospital.
During the three-year residency, doctors learn how to determine an
anesthesia plan, administer anesthesia and manage postoperative pain. Training is hands-on, involving rotations in hospitals.
Common Training Units
Clinical education in anesthesiology varies by hospital, as do the
subspecialties of the attending physicians. In general, residents assist
with more and more complex procedures as they advance in their training
and skill-level.
First Year Clinical Training
Fundamental practices are introduced through closely supervised
training in the operating room, through simulators and structured
rotations. Exposure is given to anesthetic procedures for the various
types of surgeries.
Second Year Clinical Training
Advanced procedures for intensive care and critically ill patients are learned through rotations in trauma units.
Third Year Clinical Training
Senior residents assist with complex procedures and practice
subspecialties such as pediatric, cardiac, obstetric and transplant
anesthesia. Research may begin in the third year if a resident is a
candidate for continued training through a fellowship.
Anesthesiologists may choose careers as research scientists, practice
general anesthesiology or become a subspecialists, such as
neuroanesthesiologists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the median annual salary for anesthesiologists was $211,750
in 2009 (
www.bls.gov).
Continuing Education
Fellowships may be available for anesthesiologists interested in
pursuing research careers or continuing practice in a subspecialty upon
completion of residency.
Overview of Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Programs
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is trained to provide
anesthesia under supervision of an anesthesiologist or other medical
doctor. While no accredited program is available fully online because of
rigorous clinical training requirements, most graduate programs have
some components that can be completed through distance learning.
Applicants must be registered nurses with a B.S. in Nursing, possess a
minimum of one year of experience in an intensive care unit, and have
completed coursework in chemistry, physiology and statistics.
Graduate programs providing CRNA training can be completed in two to
four years. Course components, such as exams, lecture notes and
simulated exercises, are often available online. After the first year of
basic coursework, clinical instruction requires students to be on-site
at least part-time.
List of Courses Offered
The fundamentals of pharmacology, physiology, anatomy and biophysics
are covered in classroom and laboratory settings. Clinical internships
in anesthesia provide opportunities to apply the theoretical foundations
learned online or in the classroom.
Nursing Ethics Course
Legal and ethical issues of practice are considered in a historical
context in this course. Social and governmental concerns regarding
administration and care are discussed.
Nursing Theory Course
Theoretical foundations of best practices are reviewed to bring
students up-to-date on current nursing knowledge. Students are able to
develop a personal nursing philosophy.
Health Care Policy Course
This course teaches students the ways in which health care policies are affected by society, technology and economics.
Nurse Anesthetists are in high demand. The current shortage of CRNA
professionals means 100% employment of program graduates. The U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual salary for
registered nurses was $66,530 in 2009 (
www.bls.gov).
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