Anesthesia and Biology

[SIAKIA]

I really have two questions. 1st question: I was reading on a website and was wondering if you could actually be a nurse with is Biology degree?

website: http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/jobs-for-biology-majors.asp

2nd question: My final goal is to be an Anesthesia, what is a good path to go?

[Scrubmouse RN]

I have a biology degree, and from what I understand you need to get a degree in a nursing program (be it ADN or BSN) or graduate from a diploma program to be an RN. I have a bio degree and am working on getting my ADN.

I'm guessing you want to work as a Nurse Anesthesist(sp?). In that case you need to acquire a masters degree.

[SIAKIA]

Thank you, That was helpful. I am currently finishing all my general ed cousrses at Clayton State and debating between applying for the nursing program or going the Biology path.

[Fribblet]

If you want to be an anesthesiologist, you will need to go to medical school.

If you want to be a nurse anesthetist, you will need a BSN, at least one year of critical care experience (more is better), and then apply to a master's program to become a CRNA.

A degree in Biology will only be useful if you plan on going to medical school after you graduate.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Education of Nurse Anesthetists in the United States -

At a Glance

Education and experience required to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) include:

A Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or other appropriate baccalaureate degree.

A current license as a registered nurse.

At least one year's experience in an acute care nursing setting.

Graduation from an accredited graduate school of nurse anesthesia. These educational programs range from 24-36 months, depending upon university requirements, and offer a master's degree.

All programs include clinical training in university-based or large community hospitals.

Pass a national certification examination following graduation.

It takes a minimum of seven calendar years of education and experience to prepare a CRNA. The average student nurse anesthetist works at least 1,694 clinical hours and administers more than 790 anesthetics.

Between 1,300 and 1,700 student nurse anesthetists graduate each year and go on to pass their certification examination.

Nurse anesthetists were among the first specialty nurses to require continuing education. CRNAs must be recertified every two years, which includes meeting practice requirements and obtaining a minimum of 40 continuing education credits.

The first organized program in nurse anesthesia education was offered in 1909. As of February 2008, there are 109 nurse anesthesia programs with more than 1,800 clinical sites in the United States. These programs are affiliated with or operated by the school of nursing or health sciences department of a university.

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) implemented a certification program in 1945 and instituted mandatory recertification in 1978. The first certification examination was administered in 1945 to 92 candidates.

In 1952, AANA established a mechanism for accreditation of nurse anesthesia educational programs that has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education since 1955.

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published findings indicating a growing need for additional nurse anesthetists. Despite a present day workforce of more than 30,000 CRNAs, the vacancy issue remains a concern as demands for CRNA services grow.

Responding to the vacancy issue, nurse anesthesia educational programs and the AANA are aggressively seeking ways to meet societal needs by 2010. For more information contact [email protected]

Last updated: August 22, 2008

About AANA

AANA - Education of Nurse Anesthetists in the U.S.