What Is a CRNA?

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have a robust education to acquire the expertise to administer anesthesia in a variety of settings. CRNAs administer up to 80% of the anesthesia provided in American rural counties and are considered to be safe and cost-effective.

If you’d like to understand what a CRNA credential might mean to your career, use this guide to learn what CRNAs do, how to become one, why you might choose this highly specialized nursing career path, and what you can expect to earn.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Jenny Finnell, CRNA and founder of CRNA School Prep Academy, explains that “CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who specialize in administering anesthesia to patients in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, surgery centers, and clinics. They work with physicians, dentists, and other healthcare providers to provide safe and effective anesthesia care.”

The autonomy of CRNAs is determined by each state, and more than half grant full independence. CRNAs enjoy complete autonomy in all branches of the military.

A CRNA administers pre-anesthesia and anesthesia. They conduct pre-anesthesia patient assessments, receive signed patient consent, and may prepare the operating room for procedures. During surgery, CRNAs administer anesthesia and manage patients’ airways, including intubation and extubation. The CRNA may be consulted during patient recovery from anesthesia.

CRNAs practice in settings where anesthesia, pain control, and/or airway management are needed, including hospital surgical departments, labor and delivery, ambulatory surgical facilities, ketamine clinics, pain centers, the U.S. military, offices of dentists and ophthalmologists, and more. CRNAs may also work for private anesthesiology groups which are employed by various medical centers.

CRNAs enjoy full-practice authority in every branch of the military, and they provide anesthesia on the front lines, military bases, ships, and other facilities throughout the world.

There are many excellent reasons to become a CRNA, and also some disadvantages to consider.

“Many people choose to become CRNAs because of the autonomy and responsibility the role offers.” says Finnell. “As independent practitioners, CRNAs make critical decisions about the type and amount of anesthesia to administer, and they closely monitor patients throughout the procedure to ensure their safety and comfort. This high level of responsibility can be both challenging and rewarding.”

As the highest-paying nursing specialty, it’s no surprise that to become a CRNA takes time, study, and perseverance.

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AAN), prospective nurse anesthetists can anticipate a minimum of 7-8.5 years of education and experience to become a CRNA. This includes about four years to earn a bachelor’s, 2-4 years to complete a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), and an average of 2,604 hours of supervised nurse anesthetist experience.

The AANA lists the minimum educational requirements for becoming a CRNA as:

A DNP degree is strongly recommended as the minimum requirement for all entry-level APRNs as of 2025. While this has not yet been officially codified, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) has already independently committed to the target date of 2025 for CRNAs.

In fact, the COA no longer accredits new master’s level CRNA programs, and students entering the field after 2022 must earn a doctoral degree to become certified.

Those pursuing a career as a CRNA can earn either a DNP or a doctor of nursing anesthesia practice (DNAP) degree. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the body that accredits DNP programs; the Nurse Anesthetists Council for Accreditation approves DNAP programs.

Some organizations do not recognize the DNAP as a so-called “terminal degree,” so CRNAs seeking tenured faculty positions may prefer to have a DNP degree.

As of May 2022, the BLS reports the average annual salary for CRNAs as $205,770, and the median annual salary as $203,090. CRNAs can expect an average hourly wage of $98.93. Factors that may influence an individual CRNA’s earning potential include quality of education, years of experience in critical care before becoming a CRNA, years of practice as a CRNA, and geographic location.

Earning potential is high. North Dakota offers the highest average annual CRNA salary, with California, Connecticut, New York, and Illinois all coming in well above $200,000

Becoming a CRNA generally takes 7-10 years, including undergraduate nursing education and clinical experience.

For nurses with an associate nursing degree, the path to becoming a CRNA involves attending an RN to bachelor of science in nursing bridge program, followed by earning an master’s, and finally a DNP or DNAP.

Anesthesiologists and CRNAs are educated in different academic systems. Anesthesiologists attend medical school and complete a residency. Some anesthesiologists also complete a fellowship. CRNAs are RNs with advanced practice credentials.

As of 2025, all new CRNAs must have a doctorate. Based on the state practice environment, some CRNAs must be supervised by a physician.

CRNAs are allowed to work independently in any state where unrestricted practice is allowed. In states where the supervision of a physician or collaborative agreement is required, the CRNA must practice under that physician. CRNAs can rely on their state’s nursing board for detailed information about practice restrictions.