Why You Should Consider A Career In Anesthesiology
There are a lot of medical specialties out there. And some may sound more glamourous to you than others. However, there are a few that can allow you to move through many different medical circles if you want. Anesthesiology is one such field.
Should You Consider a Career in Anesthesiology?
Of course you should follow whichever career path moves you. But if you're still looking for something, there are many reasons to consider anesthesiology. There are the obvious reasons, as well as things that can become personal reasons.
Job security – Since 2011 there's been a shortage of anesthesiologists. That short supply means there's a high demand for them in various medical practices and institutions across the country.
Salary – The median of the anesthesiologist salary range is somewhere around $300,000. The mean annual wage, as of 2014, is around 246k. These numbers can vary based on your industry and geographic area.
Variety – Anesthesia is a requirement of most medical fields. That means an anesthesiologist is in an ideal situation. You can bring your skills to bear in hospitals, private practices, and various other medical institutions.
Education – An education in anesthesiology never really ends. Anesthesiology is more of a collaborative practice than many other medical practices. You will have to work closely with both patients and other physicians for a variety of reasons.
And while your academic training should teach you a lot, you will learn even more when you have to hammer out an anesthesia plan with a surgeon for an upcoming operation. Anesthesiology requires some of the most extensive training of all medical professions.
The Path to Anesthesiology
There are a few paths into anesthesiology, depending on your ultimate goals. Each step on the path can lead into the next. So starting as an AA, you can work while you pursue the next level. Otherwise, you can pursue any one of these positions exclusively.
Anesthesiologist Assistants (AA) – This is basically the entry-level position for anesthesiology. It requires a bachelors and certification.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – Requires an MA in nursing or anesthesiology. Also requires post-masters certification, as well as a year of nursing. From there you need accreditation.
M.D. or D.O. - To become a physician of anesthesiology, you will need pre-med, medical school, and a four year residency.
It All Starts with Education
No matter what your goals are, they all start with education. Working in the field of anesthesiology is a challenging, but rewarding experience. Getting to that point is also a rewarding challenge. If you're unsure about where you should focus your efforts, then you should give anesthesiology a look.
To learn more, contact a school like ASA College.
