Nurse anesthetists work with patients before, during, and after surgery by preparing anesthetics, monitoring vital signs, and bringing patients out of anesthesia. They typically work in clean operating rooms under the direction of doctors and surgeons. To become a nurse anesthetist, one must earn a bachelor's degree in nursing, obtain registered nurse licensure, complete a year of acute care nursing experience, and graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia program. The demand for nurse anesthetists is expected to grow as technology advances allow more medical issues to be treated. Average salaries range from $115,000 to $160,000 depending on experience.