Nurse Anesthetist Working Conditions
The working conditions of CRNAs have positive and negative aspects. There can be a significant amount of stress involved. For example, patients who suffer from chronic pain and who fail to respond to treatments can be emotionally draining to providers. Patients who experience an unexpected adverse reaction to anesthesia can also cause stress. Certified nurse anesthetists must “expect the unexpected” and be able to act quickly. The constant requirement to be on guard can be draining.
However, CRNAs have a rewarding job. They can relieve a patient’s pain. Pain relief may seem like it’s easily achieved, but for many suffering from chronic pain, that is not always the case. Nurse anesthetists can help patients go from poor quality of life to living life to the fullest. They help new mothers experience childbirth without being distracted by the pain. They help patients through sometimes life-saving surgeries.
CRNAs may work in high-risk areas that may expose them to workplace violence, blood-borne pathogens, and chemicals. Safety precautions and policies and procedures must be followed to maintain the health and safety of the CRNA as well as patients. Additionally, CRNAs sometimes spend a lot of time on their feet, assisting during long surgeries or procedures.
As far as work hours, CRNAs can work in various settings, many times in acute care. Hours vary but may require night, weekend, holiday, and on-call shifts.
What Educational Requirements You Need To Become A Crna
A certified nurse anesthetist must have five key requirements: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a registered nurse licensure for your state, two or more years of critical care nursing experience, and a masters degree in nurse anesthesia. You will also need to pass the National Certification Examination .
Become A Registered Nurse With A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
To become a nurse anesthetist, you must have a registered nurse license and a masters degree from an accredited MSN program with a CRNA program. While its true that you can become an RN after earning your associate degree in nursing, a key requirement for earning your masters degree and becoming a CRNA is getting your BSN.
Certain BSN programs are specifically set up for future-focused students whove set their sights on advanced practice, specialized careers. For example, Herzing University offers a frequently updated BSN curriculum based upon the needs and demands of todays job market.
The time needed to become a nurse can vary. At Herzing, there are several different entry points to the BSN program, depending on where you are in your current career and the amount of transferrable credits you already have from prior learning and work experiences.
Once you complete your BSN, pass the NCLEX exam and become licensed in your state, youll be eligible to practice as a registered nurse. From there, its just a matter of gaining enough experience in an acute care setting before you can apply to a nurse anesthesia program and earn your masters degree.
One significant advantage of choosing Herzing is that the schools BSN program has six start dates throughout the year, ensuring you can start soon, but allowing enough time to make any necessary adjustments to your personal and work schedules to accommodate your studies.
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Nurse Anesthetist Degree Levels Offered
Nurses have two pathways to become CRNAs they can choose the master’s route or the doctoral route. Both programs offer advanced-level core and specialized courses and also require clinical hours as part of the program of study. Students should consider which type of educational program is right for them when thinking about CRNA education.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Anesthetist
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist is an advanced-practice nurse who is responsible for administering anesthesia to patients. A CRNA is different from an anesthesiologist in that the CRNA holds a graduate degree and an anesthesiologist is a medical doctor . Because of the extensive requirements to become a nurse anesthetist, it takes several years of education. In this article , we answer several frequently asked questions about this career.
Related:What Are Nurse Anesthetist Programs?
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Are Any Certifications Or Credentials Needed
After graduating from an advanced-degree program, nurses can become credentialed as CRNAs. The National Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists offers certification by examination. The exam is of variable length and designed to ensure the competency of entry-level CRNAs. The NBCRNA provides a handbook outlining detailed eligibility requirements to take the exam. General requirements include:
- Hold an active, unrestricted RN license
- Hold a graduate degree from an accredited nurse anesthetist program
- Submit a record of academic and clinical experience which must:
- Be submitted by the nurse anesthesia educational program administrator
- Be signed by both the administrator and candidate
- Accurately show the minimum requirements have been met
Licensure and certification are differentâcertification means the CRNA is competent to deliver anesthesia in a health care setting licensure means they are legally permitted to practice in their state of residence. State nursing boards list the requirements for testing and can vary from state to state. The CRNA can, after meeting the specified requirements, apply to the state board for licensure.
- Children’s hospitals
- Obstetric/ labor and delivery units
- Cardiothoracic care areas
Post-graduate CRNAs can also participate in accredited fellowship programs that focus on certain populations, for example:
- Trauma/critical care
- Acute surgical pain management
- Advanced pain management
How To Become A Nurse Anesthetist
Becoming a nurse anesthetist requires about six years of education and two years of clinical experience. In 2025, the minimum degree to become a nurse anesthetist will change from a master’s degree to a doctor of nursing practice or doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.
Earn an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing .
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses to receive RN licensure.
Complete required nursing experience.
Earn a master of science in nursing .
Pass the CRNA National Certification Examination.
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Certification Renewal And Continuing Education
To maintain your national certification, youll need to pursue continuing education in line with the NBCRNAs Continued Professional Certification Program. The NBCRNA evaluates nurse anesthetists on an eight-year cycle consisting f two four-year periods. This means that every four years, you must complete:
60 Class A credits on activities directly related to the delivery or improvement of anesthesia care
40 Class B credits on anesthesia practice or professional development topics such as:
- Pathophysiology
- Anesthesia equipment and technology
In addition, every two years, youll complete an online check-in to confirm your state license and that youve been continuing to practice.
At the end of each eight-year cycle, youll be required to take the CPC Assessment test. This 150-question exam is used to test your knowledge of the four Core Modules of nurse anesthesia.
The test isnt pass/fail, but if youre deemed to not meet the performance standards, youll need to complete additional continuing education to maintain your certification.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist : Accreditation Certification Licensure/recognition
Program Accreditation: Forty-nine states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands require completion of an accredited nurse anesthetist program for practice. .
Certification: Graduates from accredited Nurse Anesthesia Programs are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists . National certification is conferred by the NBCRNA and this allows the graduate of an accredited program to use the title Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist . Forty-nine US states and the District of Columbia require certification for practice while Michigan and Puerto Rico do not .
Licensure and Recognition: In most states, Nurse Anesthetists hold licensure as registered nurses and/or as an advanced practice registered nurse . There are several mechanisms for recognition of Nurse Anesthetists including through Statute, Nurse Practice Acts, State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the Department of Health . For the most up to date information, please to the AANA State-Government Affairs website.
You can learn more about our other Nurse Anesthesia Programs: MSN to DNP degree program.
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What Are The Education Requirements For Nurse Anesthetists
CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed a Master’s of Science in Nursing or doctoral degree program . Currently, the AANA plans to require all CRNA programs to change from MSN to DNP programs by 2025.
To advance to a master’s degree, a student must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing . Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is needed for licensure. The length of time to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist may vary depending on the program. However, these are the minimum requirements:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in nursing or another related field from an accredited program
- An unrestricted license as a registered nurse
- A minimum of one year experience as an RN in a critical care setting
- Completion of, at minimum, a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program
Nurse anesthesia programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs . There are currently 121 accredited nurse anesthesia programs in the US and Puerto Rico.
A nurse anesthesia program ranges anywhere from 24-51 months, depending on the university, and includes clinical experience as well as didactic classroom hours. On average, it takes a minimum of 7 to 8.5 years of experience and education to become a CRNA.
Depending on the school, the curriculum for CRNAs can vary slightly, but core concepts include:
- Advanced pathophysiology in anesthesia
Why You Should Attend A Crna School
You should attend a CRNA school because it will give you the skills and knowledge needed to complete your National Certification exam and work in the healthcare industry in a critical care setting. When you graduate from a CRNA school, the degree you receive certifies that you completed the coursework necessary to sit for the National Certification Exam.
Almost all employers will require you to have passed the National Certification examination before hiring you. Additionally, if you plan to work in a hospital setting, you may need to take additional classes in anesthesia pharmacology to learn about specific medications and their effects on patients.
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Nurse Anesthetist Vs Anesthesiologist: Whats The Difference
Nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists are both medical professionals who are trained to administer anesthesia to patients. The primary differences between the roles are title and education.
As medical doctors , anesthesiologists complete at least four years of post-graduate education and four years of residency and earn higher salaries.
While both medical professionals work in a variety of settings, smaller offices tend to employ CRNAs over anesthesiologists. In some states, CRNAs are required by law to work under the supervision of a board-certified physician. In other states, CRNAs can practice independently.
Is Nurse Anesthesia The Right Career For You
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are educated to practice autonomously and provide anesthesia in every practice setting. As sole anesthesia providers in most rural areas, CRNAs meet the population’s needs, providing safe, competent, quality care to those we serve. At Southern Miss, you will be educated and prepared to take on a role beyond the operating room. Anesthesia and the education is fast paced, intense, and requires a high level of critical thinking.
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Benefits Of Online Crna Programs
- Remote classes. If you live far from your university, it can be difficult to attend classes. Online CRNA schools allow you to study without having to move. Remote classes also tend to be more flexible, which often allows students to maintain a healthier study-life balance.
- You dont have to stay in one location. In addition to being able to learn from home, many students attend online CRNA schools from all over the world, and some even travel while they study. Online CRNA schools often offer special events where online students can meet face-to-face.
- Cheaper tuition. Online CRNA schools are often cheaper than traditional university programs, especially for non-resident or international students. This is because they dont have many of the costs that traditional universities incur, such as those related to maintaining facilities, providing food, or paying huge property taxes.
- Online credits. Every school has its own requirements and may have different credit policies. Some schools let students choose their credits, while others have set course schedules. Many online CRNA schools will accept transfer credits from other schools, as long as you earned a high enough grade.
- Personalized learning environment. Not everyone benefits from learning in a classroom setting. A big benefit to online learning is the ability to customize your learning environment to your hearts content. Whether thats from your bedroom, home office, or a nearby cafe.
Shawn Seifert Ms Crna President
The best advice I can give critical care nurses interested in a career in Nurse Anesthesia is to focus on leadership.
That is, seek opportunities outside of the purely clinical and be involved politically, socially, or even artistically.
These experiences will allow you to evolve into the advanced role of nursing leadership that Nurse Anesthesia demands as well as makes your application for school more impactful and likely to lead to an interview.
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Seven Which Schools Have The Best Crna Programs
There are numerous CRNA programs throughout the country, our panel of nurses ranked them based on reputation, certification pass rate, cost, accreditation, and acceptance rates and determined these are some of the best options out there. Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 CRNA programs are ranked in no particular order.
Working As A Nurse Anesthetist
CRNAs can choose from many different work environments, including hospitals, medical-surgical units, and critical care facilities in rural communities. Outpatient and ambulatory surgical centers, doctors’ offices, and pain management clinics are also options. They may find positions in military and government facilities, dental offices, ketamine clinics, and plastic surgery clinics among other settings.
Hospital surgical suites are among the most popular employers. CRNAs in this setting work with anesthesiologists, RNs, and other healthcare professionals, administering anesthesia and monitoring pain management.
CRNAs licensed in states that grant full-practice authority are in demand in critical access hospitals in rural areas. In these settings, they may administer anesthesia independently, supervise members of the healthcare team, and educate patients on pain management following surgical procedures.
CRNAs also find employment opportunities in ambulatory surgical centers in response to the increasing number of patients seeking outpatient procedures. Their duties in these settings include administering anesthesia independently or in collaboration with anesthesiologists, monitoring and releasing patients after procedures, and providing pain management education.
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Cheapest Graduate Schools For Crna
The cheapest graduate schools for CRNA have top-notch masters and doctoral degree programs, great facilities, qualified faculty members, and a high acceptance rate. These graduate schools can help you hone your skills and earn a better-paying job.
Note that all nursing anesthesia programs will have been transitioned to PhD programs by the end of 2022, as stipulated by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
How To Apply For Federal Aid To Finance Your Crna School Program
To apply for federal aid to finance your CRNA school program, there are a few steps you need to take. If youre a student who wants to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, the following section will provide you with all of the information you need to apply for financial aid.
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Nursing Groups Welcome The Shift To A Doctoral Degree For Crnas
Raising the education level to a doctorate for CRNAs has been a long time coming and has strong support from nursing organizations.
The movement to doctoral education for CRNAs was not a snap decision rather it was a long-evaluated and thoroughly explored decision, says John C. Preston, DNSc, CRNA, FNAP, APRN, chief credentialing officer with the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists .
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing , a trade group that represents private and public schools of nursing nationwide, also welcomes the change.
Since 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has called for doctoral preparation for all advanced practice registered nurses, including certified registered nurse anesthetists , says Robert Rosseter, AACN spokesman. We applaud the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on the Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, and the larger CRNA community for making this transition, which will ensure that patients have access to the highest quality nurse anesthetists possible.
While the new certification requirements do not specify the type of doctoral degree CRNAs must pursue, the most common choice likely will be the Doctor of Nursing Practice .
Other options will be:
- Doctor of Nursing Science