Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on
Learn more about the different types of nurse anesthetists, their salary potential, and how to become a nurse anesthetist in Canada.
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) trained to administer anesthesia used for pain management. They work with different medical professionals in various settings, such as outpatient care centers, hospitals, emergency rooms, physicians’ offices, and military bases.
What does a nurse anesthetist do?
A nurse anesthetist administers anesthesia or medicine that prevents pain or alleviates anxiety for patients before they undergo a medical procedure, operation, or childbirth. Nurse anesthetists also monitor a patient’s vital signs during and after anesthesia. They may also administer anesthesia to manage and relieve chronic pain as part of a pain management plan. These advanced practice nurses also perform these tasks:
Meet with a patient before their procedure to review all medical history, complete a physical assessment, and notify the patient of all risks associated with anesthesia.
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Monitor a patient’s vitals during and after a procedure or surgery.
Stay with a patient after a procedure to assist in recovery and monitor vitals and comfort level.
Determine the dosage, method, and type of medication needed based on individual patients and length and type of procedure.
Develop pain management strategies and plans.
Nurse anesthetists may work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and other registered nurses. Sometimes, a nurse anesthetist’s duties will vary slightly depending on where they work. It’s also important to note that a nurse anesthetist is not an anesthesiologist. An anesthesiologist is a physician who specializes in anesthesia without a nursing background.
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How much do nurse anesthetists earn?
According to Glassdoor, a registered nurse anesthetist in Canada earns an average salary of $86,364 per year as of August 2024 [1]. Nurse anesthetists are among the highest-paying roles in nursing. However, your earnings may vary by employer, years of experience, location, certifications, and etc. Some of the highest-paying areas for nurses in Canada include the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon Territory, and Alberta.
Job title variations and salary
Your job title as a nurse anesthetist may vary based on your certifications, where you work, your years of experience, and more. Some nurse anesthetists may work in managerial roles, while others may work as professors or with a specific type of health care provider. These variations may impact your earnings.
You may see some of these common job title variations:
Cardiothoracic nurse anesthetists work with patients undergoing operations or procedures involving the heart, such as cardiothoracic operations or heart transplants. They work alongside an anesthesiologist.
Chief nurse anesthetists manage other nurse anesthetists in addition to their clinical duties. They also work closely with patients to ensure their needs are met.
Nurse anesthesiology program director oversees the nurse anesthesiology program for a college or university. In this leadership role, you will oversee all faculty and staff in the program, design the curriculum, and measure for assessment. An assistant nurse anesthesiology program director would assist in this role and would be another job title option for a nurse anesthetist.
Faculty professor or assistant professor is an educator at a college university, teaching courses as part of a nurse anesthetist graduate degree program. Your salary will vary in this position depending on the degrees you hold, the certifications you’ve earned, your years of professional experience, and the school at which you work.
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How do I qualify to become a nurse anesthetist?
To qualify as a nurse anesthetist, you must meet the required educational criteria, training, licensure, and certification. Qualifications vary by province and employer. Here are seven basic steps to becoming a nurse anesthetist.
1. Earn your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree
2. Earn your Registered Nurse (RN) license by passing the National Council Licensure Examinations for RNs (NCLEX-RN) and meet all of the requirements for your province.
3. Work as an RN to gain professional experience. This step is a requirement for admission into a graduate program. Most programmes require at least one year of clinical critical care experience for admission.
4. Earn your master’s degree in nursing (MSN), which is at least a 27-month process.
5. Pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). You’re eligible to sit for this exam once you’ve graduated from your master’s programme.
6. Become a board-certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) by earning a passing score on the NCE and meeting all education requirements. This certification is a requirement in most provinces if you want to get licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
7. Apply for provincial licensure as an APRN. Requirements vary by province. You must maintain your licensure and CRNA certification, which usually involves recertification every two years.
Do I need a license?
Yes, you need a registered nursing (RN) license and most likely a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) certification to become a nurse anesthetist. You will earn your RN license after completing your undergraduate degree and CRNA certification after completing your graduate program and passing the NCE exam. Licensing requirements will be different based on where you work.
Some common requirements for obtaining a license include an application for provincial licensure, CRNA certification, and proof of degrees from accredited programs. Some provinces and territories place limits on CRNAs' ability to prescribe medicine. You may need to submit an application for prescriptive authority in these places.
Next steps
Nurse anesthetists are highly regarded professionals in the nursing field, with a career path that pays well and ranks higher than average in terms of job outlook. When you’re ready to plan out your next steps to becoming a nurse anesthetist, consider enrolling in a course like Introductory Human Physiology or Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body is Telling Us on Coursera. Introductory courses like these can help supplement your learning as a nursing student and give you insight into the profession early on so you can better plan your next steps.
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