What are the pros and cons of being a nurse anesthetist?

Pros:

• Competitive Benefits. Becoming a nurse anesthetist requires extensive education and skill. Because of this specialization, nurse anesthetists make extremely good money and have great benefits such as medical insurance and retirement plans.

• Stability. Hospitals and surgical centers are a crucial part of society, which is great for nurse anesthetists. Job stability helps people feel comfortable and confident and nurse anesthetists can enjoy a high level of stability.

• Respect. Anesthesiology is a respected career, as it requires high levels of skill and intellect. Nurse anesthetists are highly specialized nurses in this field, and so they represent that skill and intellect. Many people feel great satisfaction for working in a position that they feel is a respected, impressive role.

Cons:

• Extensive Education Requirements. Nurse anesthetists hold doctorate degrees. This requirement can take almost a decade to complete, which requires a high level of dedication. They also can be extremely expensive.

• Liability. Nurse anesthetists have the responsibility of aiding anesthesiologists in safely and accurately dispensing medication to patients. Any errors could lead to potential lawsuits and litigation. An error could also seriously harm a patient. This can be extremely difficult for nurse anesthetists.

• Little Room for Advancement. Once you become a nurse anesthetist, you can, and most likely will, stay in that position for the rest of your career. There is no potential to continue climbing up in your career as you have reached the end.