The state of Georgia is home to one CRNA school but is also close to the states of Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama, which offer some additional choices for CRNA schools and programs. If a person is interested in going to school to become a CRNA in Georgia, they may be limited in their choices for schooling, but they will certainly not be limited by the career field as a whole. CRNAs are employed in Georgia in hospitals, surgery centers, and private offices and clinics.
Contents
CRNA School – Is it right for you?
There are many different factors to consider when making a decision about whether or not to apply to a CRNA school. One thing to think about is the length of time it will take to complete a CRNA program. While this can change depending on the school you choose to attend, an average CRNA program can take between 24 and 36 months to complete. This is a big time commitment and should be carefully considered ahead of time. Another good thing to consider is the financial aspect of schooling. As with any continued upper-level education, CRNA programs in Georgia can cost a lot of money. It can also be difficult to hold a full or even part-time job while attending CRNA school and many CRNA schools suggest that their students not attempt to hold a job while completing their degree. The decision to become a CRNA can affect many parts of your life and take the time to research the ins and outs of becoming a CRNA can help you make the best personal decision.
CRNA Resources in Georgia
Becoming a CRNA in the state of Georgia means that you will be joining a large pre-existing community of CRNAs who practice in Georgia. CRNAs seem to be well-organized, as a profession, and there are many organizations and associations dedicated to the support and furthering of nurse anesthesia in the United States. As a member of this community, you may be interested in joining the largest such group in Georgia, the Georgia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (GANA). According to the GANA, they currently have over 1,100 members and are one of the oldest as well as one of the largest CRNA state organizations. While it is not always necessary to be involved in such organizations, they can help provide support and information to the new CRNA and can be a place to meet others who share similar career goals and passions.
CRNA Salary in Georgia
An average annual mean wage for a CRNA in Georgia is $135,560. While this is the average, the annual mean wage for a CRNA in Georgia can fall anywhere within the reported average range of $110,000 to $144,980. This wage range for CRNAs is similar to that in the states of Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Montana. (All figures as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2024).
What are the job duties of a CRNA in Georgia?
CRNAs provide a very important service within hospitals and clinics in Georgia. CRNAs are responsible for maintaining patient safety while providing effective pain management for surgeries and procedures. CRNAs can perform this service independently and can also work alongside anesthesiologists or anesthesia assistants to ensure the well-being of their patients throughout the anesthesia process.
CRNAs can provide any of the three main types of anesthesia. The first is general anesthesia. General anesthesia means that a patient is entirely sedated and unconscious. A patient who undergoes general anesthesia should not feel any pain and should have no memory of the surgical event. General anesthesia is usually used for those undergoing major surgery. The second type of anesthesia a CRNA can provide is regional anesthesia. With regional anesthesia, a part or region of the patient’s body is anesthetized, but the patient is generally still conscious and aware. An example of regional anesthesia would be an epidural used during labor and delivery. The third type of anesthesia care is local anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs a small part of the body, usually a very specific area, while a patient is still conscious. A local anesthetic may be used during a biopsy or dental procedure where only a small part of the body is being operated on.
In addition to simply caring for a patient’s physical needs before, during, and after surgery, CRNAs also provide emotional support to their patients. A CRNA typically stays with a patient throughout the entire procedure, so they become a familiar face during a potentially stressful situation. CRNAs can provide comfort and compassion to patients and their families when they need it most. Working as a CRNA in Georgia will allow you to help people have safe, comfortable, and pain-free surgical experiences.
CRNA School in Georgia
Georgia Regents University Nursing Anesthesia Program
987 St. Sebastian Way, EC 5511
Augusta, GA 30912
- Degree Type Offered: Master of Science in Nursing
- Average Program Length: 28 months
- Start Month: August
- Number of Clinical Sites: 27