Online Classes and Courses in Anesthesiology

Classes and courses in anesthesiology are offered in various formats, including online, hybrid and on-campus. Anesthesiology is the science of administering anesthesia to patients prior to treatment or surgical procedures. Classes address patient assessment, anatomy, drug interactions and drug selection.

Online Anesthesiology Classes and Courses

Anesthesiology classes and courses are offered at several universities and colleges through their online programs. These classes are primarily aimed at students who have degrees in nursing and want to become nurse anesthetists. Other healthcare programs, such as veterinary medicine or dental hygiene, may also offer online anesthesiology courses.
Anesthesiology classes or courses for nurses are typically part of degree programs, which require completion of other classes that may not be offered online. Students enrolled in online anesthesiology classes can expand their education and pursue degrees such as a Master of Science (M.S.) with a specialization in nurse anesthesiology. Upon completion of such a degree program, students are eligible to apply for board examination to gain the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) credential.

Online Requirements

Students enrolled in online anesthesiology classes or courses must have a computer with Internet access and an e-mail address for corresponding with instructors and sending or receiving assignments. Students should also be proficient in Internet searching and word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
Many classes are broadcast for the students through interactive video teleconferencing and lectures, so computers should be equipped with sufficient software and hardware to support the courses. Basic computer requirements for online anesthesiology classes typically include an up-to-date operating system and browser. Students may also need headphones, speakers, media drives and Flash and media players.

List of Online Anesthesiology Classes

Professional Overview of Nurse Anesthesiology Class

Students learn about all aspects of the nurse anesthesia practice, including legal issues, ethical considerations, government relations, healthcare policy and treatment quality management. This class also provides students with information on the history of anesthesia.

Nurse Anesthesiology Principles Class

This class introduces students to the equipment used in anesthesiology and the necessary pre-, intra- and post-operative procedures. Students learn about operating room preparation, anesthetic administration, injection practices, universal precautions, airway management and fluid therapy. The class may utilize a hybrid format, featuring both online lectures and on-site clinical work.

Pharmacology Class

Students study the mechanisms and effects of anesthetic agents in this online class. Specific drugs and agents covered may include barbiturates, benzodiazepines and various analgesics. Toxicology is also addressed in the course, and students learn to consider important factors like the patient's age and physical condition when selecting and applying anesthesia.

Regional Anesthesia Class

This class teaches students the most common methods of administering regional anesthesia, including epidurals, upper extremity blocks, spinals and ankle blocks. Students learn how to select the correct procedure based on positioning of local anesthetics and utilize the proper insertion techniques. This is frequently offered as a hybrid clinical course.