Online education is not available for anesthesiologists, since they are required to complete medical school and anesthesiology residencies. Online education programs are available, however, for the related position of nurse anesthetist. Learn more about the path to become an anesthesiologist and the related online nurse anesthesia programs, as well as what you would learn in a nurse anesthesia program and how the online course works.
Can I Become an Anesthesiologist Through Distance Education?
The educational track to become an anesthesiologist consists of four years of premedical undergraduate training, four years of medical school and a 3-year residency. This extensive training cannot be accomplished online.
After taking general anatomy, microbiology and physiology courses, third- and fourth-year medical students can take courses in anesthesia. You can also complete clinical labs and practicums in hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist.
Medical school graduates then enroll in anesthesiology residency programs. You'll train on patient simulators to learn the basics of airway management and anesthesia delivery. You'll then learn how to administer anesthesia to infants, expectant mothers and geriatric patients. The remaining rotations can cover topics in cardiothoracic, neurosurgical and ambulatory anesthesiology.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education</b></td><td>Becoming an anesthesiologist requires a premedical undergraduate program, medical school and a 3-year residency</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td>No anesthesiologist programs online, but hybrid nurse anesthesia programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Topics in Nurse Anesthesia</b></td><td>Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, operating room procedures</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Program Structure</b></td><td>No special requirements other than school-specific software; in-person clinical experiences required</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$271,440 (<i>for anesthesiologist</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-29)</b></td><td>0% growth (<i>for all anesthesiologists</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatOtherOnlineOptionsAreAvailableToMe">What Other Online Options Are Available to Me?</h3><p>Other options include hybrid nurse anesthesia programs for registered nurses who hold a bachelor's degree. The first year of coursework for these Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia programs can be completed online. During the second year, students complete clinical internships in hospitals.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearnInAnOnlineNurseAnesthesiaProgram">What Will I Learn in an Online Nurse Anesthesia Program?</h3><p>Courses include pathophysiology, or the effects of disease on the body, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, statistics and equipment instrumentation. You'll also learn patient assessment techniques and the principles behind localized and advanced anesthesia.
</p><p>In clinical rotations, you'll get hands-on experience interviewing patients and setting up an operating room. You'll also learn how to observe patient vital signs during medical procedures. Clinical rotations give you experience anesthetizing patients for eye, heart or brain surgeries.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoTheseProgramsWork">How Do These Programs Work?</h3><p>Online nurse anesthesia master's degree programs require students to have Internet access and the Microsoft Office Suite. You may also need video conferencing software, such as Elluminate, and course management software, such as Moodle. These programs allow students to chat with peers and instructors or access written and recorded course materials.</p>
