Want to Be a Highly Paid Nurse? Try Anesthesia
Nursing is an in-demand occupation, and with such a demand for people to fill nursing positions, it is no surprise that nurses can typically expect to be paid well. To have even more earning power, nurses often decide to continue their education and specialize in a particular area. Depending on demand, location, and company, pay increases can vary, but some specialties do tend to pay better than others. One of these specialties is Nurse Anesthetist, which given the great amount of responsibility the position requires, is one of the highest paying. According to Salary.com, the median expected salary for a typical Certified Nurse Anesthetist in the United States is $146,521, with a range of $136,000 to $156,814.
Nurse Anesthetists administer anesthesia to patients before they go through medical, obstetrical, or dental procedures. These nurses are specially trained to administer the prescribed amount of anesthesia and monitor patient's vital signs. They may perform duties such as preparing supplies and equipment, making sure an adequate supply of blood is readily available in case of emergency, determining how anesthetic will affect patients, administering oxygen, inserting artificial airways, and preventing surgical shock. A vital part of a surgical team these nurses work under surgeons, anesthesiologists and dentists, and communicate important information about the patient's condition to them.
When you hear the word anesthesia, the first thing that may come to your mind is an operating room, but nurse anesthetists can work in many other environments like hospital labor and delivery departments, birthing centers, military and government medical facilities, plastic surgery practices, emergency rooms, dental offices, and healthcare clinics. Given the wide variety of work environments they are needed in, this is an occupation with many job opportunities as well as career mobility. Because of the serious nature of the position, anyone interested in this nursing specialty should not only be intelligent, but also able to solve problems quickly and handle stressful situations.
If you are interested in becoming a Nurse Anesthetist, you must first earn a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, as well as become a licensed registered nurse. After earning some experience working in the area of critical care, enroll in a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Most of these programs will last 24 to 36 months and include graduate courses in physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, and chemistry. You will then be eligible to take the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Exam, and upon passing can begin your career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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