How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists, also known as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), provide patients with anesthesia and pain medication for various medical procedures. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse anesthetists enjoy the top salaries and highest levels of practice autonomy in the nursing field.

Explore the nurse anesthetist profession, including the steps and requirements for entering the field.

Nurse anesthetists deliver anesthesia and pain management services to patients before, during, and after procedures that require them. They provide patients with pre-surgery consultations, anesthesia and monitoring during the procedure, and post-operative pain management.

CRNAs have the ability and authority to assess patient needs and administer and prescribe appropriate anesthesia and medications for pain relief. They typically work alongside anesthesia care teams, nurses, and surgeons in hospitals, surgical clinics, and physician offices. CRNAs may work independently or under the supervision of a physician, such as an anesthesiologist, depending on their state’s supervision requirements.

While CRNA supervision requirements vary by state, the size and type of practice setting can also affect how a nurse anesthetist can practice. For example, CRNAs handle more than 80% of all anesthesia needs in rural counties, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

Each state dictates program and licensure requirements for nurse anesthetists. Generally speaking, you typically need the following: a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), a passing score on the NCLEX, at least one year of independent critical care experience, and either a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) or nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) degree.

Here us a more detailed breakdown of each step:

Nurse anesthetists need at least two degrees: a BSN and a Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited doctorate. The time you spend completing these degrees may vary, but expect at least five years in total.

A BSN degree is the minimum requirement for RN licensure and entry into a doctoral program later on. A BSN program not only provides you with a healthcare foundation for your future studies, but it also equips you with the skills necessary to build experience in acute care settings.

Prospective CRNAs must complete a COA-accredited DNAP or DNP degree. In addition to providing you with the skills and competencies for the nurse anesthetist profession, these programs prepare you for the certification examination and licensure.

To qualify for the nurse anesthetist certification examination, you need a COA-accredited doctoral degree, which typically falls into one of two categories: a DNP or a DNAP. Learn the differences between these two degrees to help you decide which is best for you.

CRNAs need both national certification and state licensure to practice in the United States. For certification, prospective nurse anesthetists need a valid RN license and a COA-accredited DNP or DNAP to take the national certification exam. The requirements to maintain RN licensure vary, but most states require a specific number of practice hours and continuing education.

Passing the NCE qualifies you for state CRNA licensure, for which you apply through your state nursing board. To maintain certification and licensure, CRNAs must complete the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) program from the NBCRNA. This program features 100 continuing education credits every four years and an assessment every eight years.

You can find nurse anesthetists in every facility that administers anesthesia, including hospitals, surgical centers, dentist offices, and plastic surgery clinics. While their scope of practice stays the same in each setting, some states require CRNAs to work under the supervision of a physician, such as an anesthesiologist. This creates employment challenges, especially in locations where physicians are limited. For example, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers in the vast majority of rural locations.

While nursing and physician shortages can reduce access to proper care in some places, it also increases nurse anesthetist salaries and demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 10% growth for nurse anesthetists between 2023-2033, giving CRNAs faster than average job growth. The BLS also lists a high median annual salary of $212,650 in May 2023.