Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 12/12/2010

Question
Dear Ian Jackson,

I am a student at Warren High school and i am interested in
the field of career you're in, I strive for becoming a Nurse
Anesthetist and have questions that would help me a great
deal if answered. This is also for a class assignment, which
would expand my knowledge in the job description i am
interested in.

Sincerely, Adrian


1)   What are the duties/functions/responsibilities of
your job?
2)   What is the activity of your job like?
3)   Can you suggest ways a student a student may obtain
the job experience that is necessary for this type of job?
4)   What are the skills that are most important for a
position in this field?
5)   What are the average work hours given to someone in
your occupation?
6)   How has your job affected your life-style?
7)   What entry level jobs are best for learning as much
as possible for this type of occupation?
8)   Do you have any advice for someone interested in
this job/field?
9)   What do you feel is the best educational preparation
for this career?
10)   What kinds of problems and decisions do you deal
with?
11)   How did you obtain your job position?
12)   What are some things you enjoy most and least about
being a nurse?
13)   How would you describe your work atmosphere and the
people which whom you work with?
14)   What are some interesting rewards that come with the
job description?  

Answer
First you need to understand I am in the UK so is totally different to your system. Plus I can only give short answers as this represents an afternoons work just to answer one or two!
1) What are the duties/functions/responsibilities of
your job?
Huge remit. Varies between anaesthetists but I spend more time managing the service these days. Colleagues provide cover for theatres, obstetrics, ICU and chronic pain services.
2) What is the activity of your job like?
I really enjoy the work. Using your hands and using drugs to aletr patient physiology every day.
3) Can you suggest ways a student a student may obtain
the job experience that is necessary for this type of job?
Sorry see above.
4) What are the skills that are most important for a
position in this field?
Calm under pressure,good with your hands, bright enough to understand the physiology/pharmacology, confidence but not too confident - worst thing is to be too confident and not spot the big problem heading your way.
5) What are the average work hours given to someone in
your occupation?
We work between 40-48 hrs per week.
6) How has your job affected your life-style?
On call limits what one can do and often home late at night. However the work/life balance is down to personal commitment.
7) What entry level jobs are best for learning as much
as possible for this type of occupation?
Sorry see above
8) Do you have any advice for someone interested in
this job/field?
In UK complete a medical degree and then spevilaise in anaesthesia - it takes 11-14 years to become a Consultant.
9) What do you feel is the best educational preparation
for this career?
Physics is good as is basic chemistry.
10) What kinds of problems and decisions do you deal
with?
Life and death faces you every day. The difference between general anaesthesia and death can be very small in frail patients.
11) How did you obtain your job position?
Working hard and doing a lot of research plus getting to know the hospital I wanted to work in well.
12) What are some things you enjoy most and least about
being a nurse?
Sorry I'm a doctor.
13) How would you describe your work atmosphere and the
people which whom you work with?
Absolutely brilliant for 90% of the time. Probably less than 5% of colleagues are crap to work with - mostly orthopaedic surgeons!
14) What are some interesting rewards that come with the
job description?