Nurse anesthesia is among the medical careers
that are expected to be in high demand in the years ahead. Registered
nurses who are interested in surgery and have accumulated some years of
work experience are particularly good candidates to pursue a degree in
nurse anesthesia. Several schools offer online master's degree programs.
Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Nurse Anesthesia
Online master's degree programs in nurse anesthesia provide
theoretical and practical training in a registered nursing specialty.
Programs address pain relief both as a medical end in itself and as a
necessary adjunct to surgery. Students refresh their knowledge of
anatomy and physiology in learning the physiological affects of
anesthesia and engage ethical, professional and economic issues related
to the practice of medicine. Applicants to a master's degree program
generally need to have earned at least a bachelor's degree in nursing
and maintained a 3.0 grade point average. Candidates with a master's
degree in some other nursing discipline are also eligible.
Courses and course materials in an online master's degree program in
nurse anesthesia are often designed to be accessible 24 hours a day for
maximum scheduling flexibility. Most programs are hybrids of online and
traditional instruction. Clinical practicums are completed at a
participating medical facility, while academic work may be completed
online or on campus. Student to teacher and student to student
interactions are handled via discussion boards and e-mail. A master's
degree is typically earned in two years.
Schools may use a professional content management system such as
Blackboard or their own proprietary system. Students need a relatively
new Windows or Mac personal computer, productivity software such as
Microsoft Office and a broadband Internet connection to participate.
List of Common Nurse Anesthesia Courses
Master's degree programs in nurse anesthesia are often divided into
general nursing courses and courses related to anesthesiology. There is
no thesis requirement.
Nurse Anesthesia Fundamentals Course
This course addresses anesthesia theory and the concepts underlying
the safe application of anesthetic care. The effects of anesthesia on
cognition and motor skills before, during and after surgery are a
primary emphasis.
Health Assessment Course
Students in this course learn to observe symptoms and evaluate the
physical condition of patients at all ages. Topics covered also include
using health assessments to formulate a diagnosis.
Anatomy and Physiology for Nurse Anesthetists Course
This course reviews anatomy and physiology content learned in
previous courses and relates the material to the biochemical effects of
anesthesia on the body. Cell physiology, electrolytes and the
cardiovascular, hematologic and respiratory systems are among the topics
covered.
Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthetists Course
Students in this course learn about common types of medication and
their therapeutic effects and side effects. Course content emphasizes
potential interactions between anesthesia and pharmaceuticals.
Nurses who graduate from a nurse anesthetist master's degree program
are qualified to work as nurse anesthetists; nurse anesthetists are
advanced practice specialist
registered nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of registered nurses will increase 22% from 2008 to 2018 (
www.bls.gov).
Demand for nurse anesthetists is likely to be even higher, especially
in rural areas and inner cities where the supply of medical care is
insufficient to meet demand. According to
Payscale.com, as of August 2010 nurse anesthetists with 1-4 years of experience earned median salaries of $97,397-$136,682.
Nurse anesthetists who want to become senior-level practitioners or
administrators can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Nurses
interested in research and teaching can pursue a Ph.D. in nursing. Both
types of doctoral degree program are available online.
No comments:
Post a Comment