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
Nurse Anesthetist
History of the profession: Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care in the United States for over 150 years. During the Civil War, nurses gained experience in administering anesthesia to soldiers on the battlefield, and this led to the development of the nurse anesthesia profession. Nurse anesthetists have since played a crucial role in delivering safe and effective anesthesia care during surgical procedures.
Job description: Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in administering anesthesia. They work collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals to provide anesthesia care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include assessing patients' medical history, administering appropriate anesthesia medications, monitoring patients' vital signs, managing pain, and ensuring patient safety during anesthesia administration.
Typical work environment(s): Nurse anesthetists can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, surgical centers, dental offices, and outpatient clinics. They may also provide anesthesia care in emergency situations or during childbirth.
Typical weekly/daily work hours: Nurse anesthetists often work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may work full-time or part-time, depending on the healthcare setting and patient needs. The schedule can vary, and they may be on call to provide anesthesia services outside of regular working hours.
Education requirement: Nurse anesthetists typically have a Master's degree in Nurse Anesthesia. This requires completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, obtaining a Registered Nurse (RN) license, gaining clinical experience as an RN, and then pursuing a Master's degree in Nurse Anesthesia. The Master's program typically takes 2-3 years to complete.
Diploma/Degrees required: A Master's degree in Nurse Anesthesia is required to become a nurse anesthetist.
Colleges/Universities that offer this career: Some of the colleges and universities that offer a Master's degree in Nurse Anesthesia include Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University.
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen: The tuition cost for these institutions can vary, but it typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 for the entire program.
Entry, median, and maximum level salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for nurse anesthetists in 2020 was $186,730. Entry-level nurse anesthetists can expect to earn around $137,800, while experienced professionals can make over $234,000 per year.
Job postings with salaries:
1. Nurse Anesthetist at XYZ Hospital - Salary: $180,000-$220,000 per year
2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at ABC Surgical Center - Salary: $160,000-$190,000 per year
3. Nurse Anesthetist Position at DEF Medical Center - Salary: $200,000-$240,000 per year
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (www.aana.com)
- Duke University School of Nursing (www.nursing.duke.edu)
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (www.nursing.upenn.edu)
- Columbia University School of Nursing (www.nursing.columbia.edu)