sample crna admission essay

sample crna admission essay

Pursuing a Career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

1. Introduction

In the work of “Pursuing a Career as a CRNA,” I was given advice from a CRNA himself explaining the exact steps and things I will face during my journey through to becoming a CRNA, something I found to be very helpful. He also points out that CRNAs have been voted to be the 7th best career out of 250 in the United States, and there is a great demand for this profession, sounds promising. This is exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for when wanting to get information about the profession and the options to get there. Both myself and the other authors are on a mission to find the most information on the CRNA profession, whether it be something to help us decide whether or not we really want to go through with it, something to guide us through it, or an explanation of the current events in this career, because we will be the future of it.

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who has a Master’s degree or higher and has completed a nationally accredited nurse anesthesia program. Nurses interested in anesthesia must have at least a year of experience working in an acute care setting such as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Once in an anesthesia program, the nurse will receive clinical training and must participate in case management of a variety of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anesthetics. A nurse anesthetist provides anesthesia care and pain management for patients, this includes the preoperative evaluation, preparation of a plan, the delivery of anesthesia, and the postoperative follow up. This is exactly the definition I was given when I had the chance to talk to a CRNA on the job. This person recommended the job to me, convincing me that it’s something I’d really enjoy while at the same time it’s a profession that offers great income and has an extremely flexible work schedule. She gave me the inside scoop, saying the best way to become a CRNA is to do an accelerated BSN program then work for some years in an ICU, then go full speed to a Master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia.

I would like to thank all the authors who have written their works about the issue such as “Racism in Nursing” and “Pursuing a Career as a CRNA” and “Becoming an Anesthetist: The Inside Scoop.” All have been of great help to me during my research on my topic. As for “Racism in Nursing,” that piece really opened my eyes to some of the obstacles I may face while pursuing such a career. Knowing that disabled Hispanic women are being turned down for nursing schools really made me realize many things. Although each of these works were helpful in their own way, I have chosen to base my work off of “Becoming an Anesthetist: The Inside Scoop” and “Pursuing a Career as a CRNA.” I have done this because I feel as though receiving the perspective of a CRNA would be most helpful, and am in agreement with the steps taken from how to reach the point right up until getting accepted into an accredited program to be most fulfilling.

2. The Importance of CRNAs in Healthcare

Research studies and reports support the cost-effectiveness of anesthesia care provided by CRNAs. Medicare and Medicaid patients, military personnel, and private insurance patients all receive the same quality anesthesia care from CRNAs. Anesthesia care is a model of physician and nurse collaboration in which CRNAs and anesthesiologists work as partners. In this team setting, CRNAs are able to apply their knowledge and deliver quality anesthesia care to patients. The Anesthesia Care Team is a 4-member team which consists of the patient, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the CRNA. This concept has been a model of care for over 150 years and is a practice style that is well-received by both CRNAs and anesthesiologists. The presence of CRNAs on this team has shown to reduce costs, increase patient satisfaction, and increase anesthesia department efficiency. A 1999 report from the Lewin Group, which conducted studies of anesthesia practice throughout the United States, confirmed that there is no statistical difference in the quality of care provided by anesthesiologists and CRNAs. With the increase in employment of CRNAs and decrease in the number of practicing anesthesiologists, the footprints of CRNAs will leave a lasting impression on the history and future of nurse anesthesia and healthcare in the United States.

CRNAs are anesthesia professionals who safely administer approximately 43 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) 2013 Practice Profile Survey. They are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America, enabling healthcare facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers in nearly 100 percent of the rural hospitals. Throughout the nation, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers at approximately 30% of all the hospitals in the United States, providing cost-efficient quality care for patients.

3. The Path to Becoming a CRNA

Virtually all CRNAs complete a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia program. Admission requirements vary by program, but they generally include a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN), a current registered nursing license, and at least one year of acute care nursing experience. BSN to doctorate programs require a BSN. Nurse anesthesia programs range from 24-42 months, depending on university requirements. All programs include clinical training in university-based or large community hospitals. Course work includes the basic and advanced sciences, principles of anesthesia practice, and specialty area practice and an anesthesia practicum. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs establishes the standards for nurse anesthesia programs. A list of accredited programs can be obtained on the COA website. Upon completion of their accredited program of nurse anesthesia, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination which is the second requirement to becoming a CRNA.

4. Skills and Qualities of a Successful CRNA

To become a CRNA, a student registered nurse anesthetist must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (or other appropriate baccalaureate degree), should be a registered nurse with a minimum of one year experience in acute care nursing, and have a minimum of one year’s experience working in an acute care setting within the preoperative phase II, and must meet any additional requirements as set forth by the state in which the student wishes to practice. The next step is to apply to and be accepted into an accredited nurse anesthesia program. There are over 100 accredited nurse anesthesia programs in the United States with a wide range of competitiveness. Requirements for admission vary; some nurse anesthesia programs require a minimum of one year of acute care experience, while others require 3-5 years of critical care nursing experience. During the program, the student will take graduate classes in advanced anesthesiology and complete clinical training in the specialty. Types of courses and clinical experiences vary. Most programs are between 24-36 months, depending on university requirements. A desire to work with people is an important attribute. The CRNA program includes a great deal of patient interaction. Candidates must also have a keen interest in science and how it relates to health care. An understanding of the scientific method, and the ability to critically evaluate scientific research are necessary skills. Time management, problem solving and decision making are also valuable skills for CRNAs. And because the field of nurse anesthesia continues to become more challenging, nurse anesthesia students must develop strong clinical background during their acute care experience.

5. Conclusion: Embracing the Opportunities as a CRNA

Graduating and becoming a CRNA is a very rewarding feeling. CRNAs are respected, autonomous providers of anesthesia care. They are able to work in a variety of settings, such as traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons, and in public health care facilities. In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers of anesthesia care in nearly 100% of rural hospitals. This, in turn, allows CRNAs to be very versatile and mobile in their careers. Some CRNAs may choose to follow their patients to the far reaches of the earth to provide anesthesia to them. This, in turn, connects to my core value of being versatile and able to help others in various locations. The job market for CRNAs is currently very good. It is not unusual for employers to offer a sign-on bonus for CRNAs to come work for their facility. When I graduate from the program, I will be able to find a job in any state within the USA and some other countries. I will have the opportunity to travel, and it would be just as simple to find a job in my new location. When comparing the opportunities of becoming an NP versus a CRNA, personally I feel that CRNAs have the upper hand. With the exception of NPs who go on to become neonatal nurse practitioners, my earning potential is higher as a CRNA. I would also be able to repay my education sooner because many employers offer tuition reimbursement benefits. I could also return to school to complete my doctorate and possibly become an educator. The possibilities are endless.