Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Anesthesiologist
What anesthesiologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review the day’s surgical cases. From there, the day usually includes evaluate patients before anesthesia, plan and give anesthesia, and manage airways and breathing. Days start early, and many anesthesiologists take overnight and weekend call.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an anesthesiologist working full time.
- Review the day’s surgical cases.
- Meet the first patient and confirm consent.
- Induce anesthesia for heart surgery.
- Supervise two nurse anesthetists.
- Place a nerve block for shoulder surgery.
- Respond to an airway emergency.
- Hand off to the call team.
Where anesthesiologists work
Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.
Hours and schedule
Days start early, and many anesthesiologists take overnight and weekend call.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan and give anesthesia
- Manage airways and breathing
- Monitor vital signs during surgery
- Manage pain after surgery
- Respond to emergencies
- Supervise anesthesia care teams
Tools you’ll use every day
- Anesthesia machines
- Patient monitors
- Video laryngoscopes
- Ultrasound
- Infusion pumps
- Anesthesia information systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Among the highest-paid jobs
- High-impact patient safety role
- Many subspecialties
- Team leadership
What’s hard
- Very long training
- High-stress emergencies
- Call and long days
- Large education debt
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love physiology and pharmacology
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I want a top-paying career
- I like precise, hands-on work
- I can commit to long training
- I like leading teams
Not sure? Take the free Anesthesiologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Complete machine and drug checks
- Use time-outs before procedures
- Prevent medication errors with labeling
- Follow infection control