As with many careers, the requirements you'll have to meet to become an anesthesiology nurse may depend on the jurisdiction in which you plan to work. Many jurisdictions have similar requirements, however, which include a bachelor’s degree, master's degree, registered nurse license, nursing experience, and certification in the field. Preparing to become an anesthesiology nurse is usually hard work and may require a time investment of seven or more years. You may find it worth it, however, as anesthesiology nurse jobs are often associated with high pay.
The first step to becoming an anesthesiology nurse is completing a Bachelor of Nursing program at an accredited college or university. In most cases, you will need four years to earn this degree if you are attending full time. Studying hard in such a program may not only help you to prepare well for a nursing career, but may also improve your chances of getting accepted to a graduate program. A high grade point average is usually essential since admission to these programs is competitive.
Once you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, your next step is likely to be becoming a registered nurse. In most places, this involves taking a standardized exam that is approved in your jurisdiction. Once you have done so, you will usually be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in your jurisdiction.
Before you can go on to become an anesthesiology nurse, you will usually have to gain a year or two of experience in nursing. This is usually one of the requirements for admission to a graduate nursing program. Many graduate schools may prefer nursing experience in a critical care nursing position over other types of nursing jobs. For example, you may prepare well by working in a hospital’s intensive care unit.
After obtaining the required nursing experience to become an anesthesiology nurse, you will usually have to enroll in a graduate-level nurse anesthesiology program. Typically, these programs require two to three years of study and combine both classroom work and supervised clinical practice. Depending on the program you select, there may be a research component as well.
To gain certification as an anesthesiology nurse, you will usually have to pass a certification exam after graduate school. You may also have to demonstrate that you have met other jurisdiction-specific certification requirements. While certification regulations may vary from place to place, many jurisdictions will require you to renew your certification every couple of years or so.
