Healthcare Careers Research
Directions: Select a healthcare career of your choice from the examples provided below. You will then use that career to research the following information. You will examine the careers based on where you see yourself in the future as well as the facts that you will learn from your research. The goal of this research is to begin planning towards your future; It is closer than you think. Your explorations should include the following topics and will be contained in a written format to be turned in.
Career Name
History of the profession chosen (one paragraph)
Job description of selected career
Typical work environment(s)
Typical weekly/daily work hours for your career
How many years of education is required
Diploma/Degrees required (possible multiples)
Colleges/Universities that offer this career (minimum 3)
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen (including out of state)
Entry, median, and maximum level salary
For your career, list 3 job postings (with salaries) that you can be employed
Websites: www.bls.gov, www.careeronestop.org, www.explorehealthcareers.org, www.medicaljobs.org, (another site must be approved first). You will need to go to professional organizational sites as well as sites for higher education institutions such as www.uab.edu, www.ua.edu, or www.samford.edu. The project should include pictures that properly illustrate the profession and especially show the parts of the career that make it interesting to you the most. A cover/title sheet is required - a sample has been provided below for you to copy/paste. Effort and professionalism will affect your grade. If you wish to research a career not listed on the document, check with your instructor for approval before continuing.
***Extra credit will be considered for those that reach out to a college/university to begin networking, gather information, or scheduling an on campus visit.
Athletic Trainer
Audiologists
Chiropractors
Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Dentist
Dietician & Nutritionist
EMT and Paramedics
Exercise Physiologist
Forensic Science Technician
Massage Therapist
Medical Assistant
Medical Coding
Nurse (RN/LPN)
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aid
Occupational Therapist/Assistant
Optometrist
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Nurse Anesthetist <---
Pharmacist/Pharmacy technician
Phlebotomists
Physical Therapy Technician
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist
Physician Assistant
Physicians (surgical/non-surgical)
Podiatrists
Psychologist
Psychiatrists
Radiologic and MRI Technologist
Recreational Therapists
Respiratory Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Sociologist
Surgical Assistant/Technologists
Veterinarian Assistants
Veterinarians
OTHER (non-medical)
Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Coach/Scout
Umpire/Referee
Career Name: Nurse Anesthetist
History of the profession chosen:
Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care for over 150 years. The history of nurse anesthetists can be traced back to the Civil War when nurses began administering anesthesia to wounded soldiers. In the late 19th century, nurse anesthetists were officially recognized as a profession and were instrumental in advancing the field of anesthesia. Today, nurse anesthetists play a vital role in providing safe and effective anesthesia care to patients during surgical procedures.
Job description of selected career:
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in administering anesthesia and managing pain. Their main role is to ensure the safe administration of anesthesia to patients prior to, during, and after surgical procedures. They work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to develop an individualized anesthetic plan for each patient. Nurse anesthetists also monitor patients' vital signs, manage anesthesia-related complications, and provide post-anesthesia care.
Typical work environment(s):
Nurse anesthetists work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, surgical centers, dental offices, and outpatient clinics. They may also be employed by the military or work in research or education settings.
Typical weekly/daily work hours for your career:
Nurse anesthetists typically work full-time, with shifts varying depending on the healthcare facility and patient needs. They may work on-call or have irregular hours due to the nature of surgical procedures.
How many years of education is required:
To become a nurse anesthetist, individuals must complete several years of education and clinical training. The educational pathway typically involves obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN), becoming a registered nurse (RN), gaining experience in critical care nursing, and then pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialization in nurse anesthesia. The total educational timeline can range from 6 to 8 years.
Diploma/Degrees required (possible multiples):
Nurse anesthetists must have a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialization in nurse anesthesia. However, many programs now require a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Additionally, nurse anesthetists must pass a national certification exam to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
Colleges/Universities that offer this career (minimum 3):
1. University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA
2. Duke University - Durham, NC
3. Emory University - Atlanta, GA
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen (including out of state):
1. University of Pennsylvania - $41,598 (in-state), $54,162 (out-of-state)
2. Duke University - $58,198 (in-state and out-of-state)
3. Emory University - $38,854 (in-state and out-of-state)
Entry, median, and maximum level salary:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for nurse anesthetists is $183,580 as of May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $111,230, while the highest 10% earned more than $208,000.
Job postings:
1. Hospital A - Nurse Anesthetist
Salary: $180,000 - $200,000 per year
Description: Seeking a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to join our team and provide anesthesia care for surgical procedures. Must have a valid CRNA certification and state licensure.
2. Surgical Center B - Nurse Anesthetist
Salary: $190,000 - $210,000 per year
Description: We are hiring a skilled and experienced Nurse Anesthetist to join our surgical team. The candidate must possess a Master's degree or higher in Nurse Anesthesia and be knowledgeable in administering anesthesia for various surgical procedures.
3. University Hospital C - Nurse Anesthetist
Salary: $170,000 - $190,000 per year
Description: We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Nurse Anesthetist to provide anesthesia care to patients in our academic medical center. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills, be proficient in pain management, and hold a current CRNA certification.
Note: The salaries mentioned are approximate and may vary based on location, experience, and other factors.