One of the brightest careers in the medical field today is for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CRNA jobs are projected to rise in demand, specifically in underserved areas such as inner cities and rural areas. Additionally, CRNAs are among the highest paid nursing positions due to their unique skill set. If you are considering a career as a CRNA, consider the following five tips to help you get started today:

Earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing and registered nursing license.
Many schools today offer specialized RN to BSN programs for students who have completed or are currently enrolled in an RN program as well as non-nursing students with a bachelor’s degree in a separate field. The RN to BSN model is designed to help students earn a BSN at an accelerated pace.

Gain hands-on experience in the field and complete your master’s degree.
You will need at least one additional year of hands-on experience prior to beginning the next step in your education: Earning your Master of Science in Nursing degree. Earning your MSN is required to become a nurse anesthetist and the final step before passing the certification exam to become a CRNA.

Prepare yourself (and become comfortable with) the job demands and environment.
While CRNAs may occasionally work in teams, the majority of their work will be done alone as the sole anesthesia administrator on duty at a time. Oftentimes, this can result in working long hours due to working with patients from before the procedure throughout its completion so they can react and respond to any patient needs.

Take pride in your work and care for your patients.
CRNAs maintain direct contact with the patients, many times during a frightening or overwhelming time in their lives. Having a compassionate, calming bedside manner can make all the difference for the patient about to enter surgery.

Get ready for opportunities! CRNAs have the advantage and the privilege of providing high-quality, cost-effective care throughout the medical field, something that is always in demand. Once you have successfully completed all educational requirements and gained the experience necessary to become a CRNA, doors will open as you advance your career as a healthcare professional!

AT KTE Services, our priority is to match CRNAs and other healthcare professionals to excellent jobs with top medical practices in the healthcare field. Contacts us to learn more about current opportunities or how KTE Services can help streamline your CRNA job search today!