How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
Key Takeaways
- To become a CRNA, earn your BSN degree, gain ICU experience, complete a doctoral program, and pass the NCE exam.
- Doctoral degree required as of 2025.
- According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, CRNAs earn an average annual salary of $223,210.
Anesthesiology is the medical specialty that uses medication to numb specific areas or, in more complex procedures, put patients into a deep sleep-like state to block pain during an operation.
If you’re intrigued, consider becoming a nurse anesthetist — officially known as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Although the educational path is rigorous, it leads to one of the most lucrative nursing fields.
Explore more about what CRNAs do, how to become one, average salaries, and job prospects.
How Long to Become
7-8 Years
Degree Required
DNP
Certification
CRNA
What Is a Nurse Anesthetist?
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), the same nursing category that also includes nurse practitioners (NPs). CRNAs specialize in providing anesthesia for surgeries, childbirth, trauma care, and other medical procedures. They ensure patient safety and comfort before, during, and after the procedure.
Specific duties include performing patient assessments, selecting and administering anesthetic agents, monitoring vital signs, and managing recovery. CRNAs may work independently or as part of a team alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals. They practice in various settings, including hospitals, surgical and outpatient care centers, and pain management clinics.
Because becoming a CRNA requires high levels of responsibility and expertise, it requires advanced education and extensive hands-on training.
Steps to Becoming a CRNA
To become a CRNA, you must follow a specific educational and licensure path that typically spans several years. While core steps are consistent nationwide, specific program prerequisites and state licensing requirements vary.
Below is a general overview of the steps required to enter this high-demand field.
- 1
Earn a BSN Degree From an Accredited Program
The first step is earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program. A BSN is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam and licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Students take courses and complete a supervised clinical experience.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure
After earning a BSN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which tests critical thinking and nursing knowledge, in order to become an RN. Candidates must apply through their state board of nursing and receive authorization to test.
- 3
Gain Experience in Critical Care Nursing
To qualify for a nurse anesthesia program, RNs must gain at least one year of full-time experience in an acute or critical care setting. (Intensive care units or ICUs are a common setting for this experience.) While surgical experience is beneficial, operating room roles alone typically do not meet admission criteria unless they include direct management of critically ill patients. New RNs can pursue nurse residency programs or apply for ICU internships to gain this experience.
- 4
Obtain Certifications
Most RNs must obtain certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) for admission into a nurse anesthetist program. Programs may also require Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Certification must be kept current through periodic renewal and continuing education.
- 5
Enroll in a DNP or DNAP Program
As of 2025, to become a CRNA, you must enroll in and complete an accredited doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program — either a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) to qualify for certification. The programs typically take three years to complete, including combined advanced classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training. Admission is highly competitive. Programs are offered by various universities and medical centers.
- 6
Receive CRNA Licensure
After graduating from an accredited DNP or DNAP program, aspiring CRNAs must pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), which results in earning the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) credential. State licensure requirements vary by state but typically include proof of national certification, a current RN license, and a background check.
Nurse Anesthetist Education
Nurse anesthetists must complete a rigorous education that builds advanced clinical and academic skills. At a minimum, this includes a BSN, followed by a doctoral degree. While some programs offer accelerated options, most take 7-10 years to finish.
As of 2025, all new candidates must graduate from an accredited doctoral-level program to be eligible for certification.
BSN Degree
A BSN is the four-year, foundational degree required for anyone pursuing a career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), preparing graduates for licensure as registered nurses (RNs) and future admission into a doctoral-level nurse anesthesia program. Earning a BSN is the first step on the CRNA path and is required by accredited nurse anesthesia programs.
- Admission Requirements: Many BSN programs require a high school diploma with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Program Curriculum: BSN programs typically include foundational courses in anatomy and physiology, biology, and statistics, plus leadership, ethics, and evidence-based practice courses.
- Time to Complete: High school graduates usually complete the program in four years; ADN, RN, or another bachelor’s degree candidates can complete the BSN in less than two years.
- Skills Learned: Clinical assessment and diagnosis, medication administration, pharmacology, critical thinking, clinical decision-making, communication, evidence-based practice, leadership, infection control, cultural competency, and ethical care.
DNP or DNAP Degree
A doctoral degree is required to become a CRNA. These advanced degrees provide in-depth training in anesthesia techniques, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making, along with supervised clinical practice hours.
- Admission Requirements: Candidates must have a BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least one year of full-time acute care experience.
- Program Curriculum: Advanced courses in pharmacology, physiology, and pathophysiology, plus specialized courses in anesthesia care, patient safety, and clinical practice.
- Time to Complete: BSN graduates take a minimum of three years to complete a doctorate; candidates with an MSN can finish in 1-2 years.
- Skills Learned: Comprehensive anesthesia techniques, advanced patient assessment, airway management, ventilator support, pharmacologic expertise, crisis management, clinical leadership.
CRNA Licensure and Certification
To practice as a nurse anesthetist, you must hold both national certification and state licensure. This requires an active RN license and a doctoral degree (DNP or DNAP) to sit for the national certification exam. Each state sets its own requirements for maintaining RN licensure.
After passing the certification exam, you can apply for CRNA licensure through your state’s board of nursing. To stay certified and licensed, CRNAs must complete the NBCRNA’s Continued Professional Certification (CPC) program, which includes 100 continuing education credits every four years and a knowledge assessment every eight years.
CRNA Salary and Career Outlook
New CRNAs can find job opportunities through professional networks, online job boards, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) career center.
Joining state or national nurse anesthesia associations can provide access to job postings, mentorship, and continuing education. Gaining clinical experience in high-acuity settings during your training may also improve job prospects, especially in competitive markets. Employers often seek candidates who demonstrate strong decision-making, adaptability, and the ability to work independently or in team-based environments.
CRNAs work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, pain management clinics, and rural health facilities. Responsibilities can vary widely depending on the setting and scope of practice allowed by state law.
As of May 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports nurse anesthetists earned an average annual salary of $223,210. However, CRNA salaries depend on geographic location, position, employer, and other potential factors.
Discover the five highest-paying states for CRNAs, according to the BLS.
| U.S. State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $281,240 |
| Massachusetts | $272,510 |
| Montana | $256,460 |
| New York | $256,160 |
| Vermont | $254,790 |
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Become a CRNA
Becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) typically takes 7-10 years. This includes earning a BSN (four years), gaining 1-2 years of critical care experience, and completing a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or DNAP program, each of which generally takes three years.
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