Who is a Nurse Anesthetist?
A nurse anesthetist provides pain medication (anesthesia) care for patients before, during, and after surgery.
They administer medications to keep patients asleep or pain-free during surgery and constantly monitor every biological function of the patient’s body.
Below Are Steps To Become A Nurse Anesthetist In South Africa?
Below are steps to Become A Nurse Anesthetist In South Africa
Before becoming a nurse anesthetist, each professional must satisfy certain eligibility requirements, including earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), obtaining a registered nurse (RN) license, pursuing specializations, gaining admission to an accredited nurse anesthesia program, earning certification, and obtaining licensure.
1. Earn a BSN Degree
Before professionals can become licensed to work as nurse anesthetists, they must earn a BSN or other appropriate major and complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice.
Students should complete bachelor’s programs at regionally accredited colleges or universities. Earning a BSN allows each degree-seeker to enroll in an advanced degree and qualifies them for RN licensure.
2. Obtain RN Licensure
To obtain RN licensure, each student must first complete a BSN. In addition to the educational requirements needed for licensure, professionals must complete and pass the NCLEX-RN.
3. Pursue Specializations While Working as an RN in an Acute Care Setting
While working as an RN, professionals can consider pursuing critical-care registered nurse (CCRN) certification if they possess the required amount of clinical practice hours. A CCRN is a specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult patients regardless of their physical location.
According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, a minimum of one year full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting is required.
4. Gain Admission to an Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program
Before individuals can pursue licensure as nurse anesthetists, they must gain admission to an accredited graduate nurse anesthesia program. Students can explore opportunities across 121 different accredited nurse anesthesia programs, along with nearly 1,800 active clinical sites.
Program requirements vary depending on the college or university but typically require an applicant to hold valid RN licensure, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and minimum GPA requirements.
Many programs may require an MSN.A minimum of one year full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting is required. The average experience of RNs entering nurse anesthesia educational programs is 2.9 years (AANA, 2019).
5. Earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesia (DNAP) Degree
At this time, some nurse anesthesia programs offer a master’s degree that qualifies the graduate for the certification exam. However, that is changing. In 2025, all CRNAs will need a doctorate in nurse anesthesia to enter the field.
A few programs may still offer a master’s degree that meets criteria for certification until 2022.While CRNAs with a master’s degree will be grandfathered in, many degree-seekers choose to enroll in doctoral programs, which equip them with the most advanced skills and knowledge in the field and allow them to consider more career opportunities with higher salary options
What Are the Education Requirements for Nurse Anesthetists?
CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or doctoral degree program (DNP). Currently, the AANA plans to require all CRNA programs to change from MSN to DNP programs by 2025.
To advance to a master’s degree, a student must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is needed for licensure. The length of time to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) may vary depending on the program. However, these are the minimum requirements:
A Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) or another related field from an accredited program
An unrestricted license as a registered nurse
A minimum of one year (full-time or part-time equivalent) experience as an RN in a critical care setting
Completion of, at minimum, a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program.
Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?
After graduating from an advanced-degree program, nurses can become credentialed as CRNAs. The National Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) offers certification by examination.
The exam is of variable length and designed to ensure the competency of entry-level CRNAs. The NBCRNA provides a handbook outlining detailed eligibility requirements to take the exam. General requirements include:
Hold an active, unrestricted RN license
Hold a graduate degree from an accredited nurse anesthetist program
Submit a record of academic and clinical experience which must:
Be submitted by the nurse anesthesia educational program administrator
Be signed by both the administrator and candidate
Accurately show the minimum requirements have been met
What Are the Roles and Duties of a Nurse Anesthetist?
The overall responsibilities of CRNAs include:
Developing, implementing, and evaluating an anesthetic plan of care
Recognizing emergent situations and responding rapidly and appropriately
Implementing and evaluating response to chronic/acute pain management techniques
Discharging patients and educating them on follow up anesthesia care
Acting as a liaison between various departments, such as:
Surgery
Obstetrics
Post-anesthesia care units
Intensive care units
Pharmacy
Collaborating with a physician regarding treatment plans and anesthesia efficacy
Maintaining patient safety during treatment
Following strict infection control policies and procedures.
Are there nurse anesthetists in South Africa?
In South Africa, anesthesia is only administered by medical practitioners, which is in line with their scope of practice. The practice has never been in line with South African nursing practice.
How long does it take to become a nurse anesthetist in South Africa?
The Bachelor of Science in Nurse Anesthesia is a 2 year fulltime course offered in 4 Semester sessions of 15 weeks each with a 6 weeks winter intersession at the end of each academic year.
How hard is nurse anesthetist school In South Africa?
CRNA school is extremely difficult, but for those who are determined to become CRNAs, it can be done. The CRNA program is very intensive, as it’s a graduate level program. The programs move very fasts so students have to study for many hours to absorb the information they need for CRNA school.
Do Nurse Anesthetists make more than doctors In South Africa?
Rough estimates have anesthesiologists earning an average of R 5440715.32 while CRNAs (specialty nurses in anesthesiology) average about R 2569226.68, which is more than some primary care doctors.
How competitive is nurse anesthetist school In South Africa?
Many nurse anesthesia programs are highly competitive, have few spots, and many qualified applicants gunning for those spots. Though you may have your heart set on a particular program or location, it can only benefit your chances of getting into a nurse anesthesia program by applying to several schools.
How much do nurses earn in SA per month?
The average salary for a Nurse in SA is R 341 620 gross per year (R 28 470 gross per month), which is 21% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Nurse can expect an average starting basic salary of R 144 200. The highest salaries can exceed R 583 500 (excluding benefits and allowances).
How much does an anesthetic nurse make in South Africa?
R26,563 (ZAR)/yr.
What is the job description of a nurse anesthetist In South Africa?
What does a nurse anesthetist do? A nurse anesthetist provides pain medication (anesthesia) care for patients before, during, and after surgery. They administer medications to keep patients asleep or pain-free during surgery and constantly monitor every biological function of the patient’s body.
How long does it take to become an anesthetist In South Africa?
It typically takes 12-14 years to become a licensed anesthesiologist: four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, and four years of residency, followed by one year in a fellowship program or two years in private practice.