A CRNA is a certified registered nurse anesthetist who specializes in caring for patients during and after surgery, as well as administering sedatives and anesthetic medications. The answer to how to become a nurse anesthetist involves earning a BSN and an RN license, followed by a doctoral degree.
The first demonstration of modern anesthetics took place in 1846. Before then, patients had to rely on herbal remedies to get through operations. Today, nurses and doctors specializing in anesthetics can deliver many different sedatives and drugs to effectively manage pain during procedures. If you are passionate about the science of anesthesia, consider learning how to become a nurse anesthetist.
Madonna University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program delivers values-based education to future nurses, preparing them to navigate complex challenges in the modern nursing landscape. The ABSN program in Metro Detroit leverages your previous education to help you transition from a non-nursing background to a career in nursing, with a graduation timeline of just 16 months. It’s also the first step toward a career as a CRNA.
What is a CRNA? Take a closer look at the specialty of nursing anesthetics, including what CRNAs do, what the educational requirements are, and how to become a nurse anesthetist.
What Is a CRNA?
A CRNA, or certified registered nurse anesthetist, is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). These nursing professionals provide more advanced care and practice with greater autonomy than registered nurses (RNs). Compared to RNs, CRNAs also have more advanced education and training.
There are different types of APRNs specializing in various areas of clinical practice. The certified registered nurse anesthetist specializes in administering sedatives and anesthetics and monitoring patients during and after medical procedures, such as surgeries.
A CRNA is not an anesthesiologist or a registered nurse. An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who has graduated from medical school and specializes in anesthesia. A CRNA, in contrast, has graduated from nursing school and obtained the necessary graduate-level education and training in nursing anesthetics to become an APRN.
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What Does a CRNA Do?
What is a CRNA’s main job? A CRNA prioritizes the health and safety of their patients, starting with the pre-anesthesia assessment. CRNAs review the patient’s medical history, including prior reactions to sedatives and anesthesia and consider whether a patient may be at higher risk of complications while under anesthesia. CRNAs must clearly communicate potential risks to their patients and obtain informed consent before proceeding.
Nurse anesthetists then select the appropriate drugs, calculate the right dosages, and administer the medications. During the procedure, CRNAs closely monitor patients, managing their airways, adjusting dosages, and performing emergency interventions when needed. After the procedure, CRNAs continue to monitor patients as they come out of anesthesia, addressing any complications and providing post-operative pain control.
Why Choose a Career as a Nurse Anesthetist?
Becoming a nurse anesthetist can be a great career move if you’re interested in a career working in the surgical suite. Becoming a CRNA offers:
- The ability to work in different clinical settings
- High salary expectations
- Significant career autonomy
- Strong job growth rate
CRNAs can also take pride in knowing they can bring needed care to underserved areas while helping keep healthcare costs low. CRNAs are highly cost-effective providers, costing up to 33% less than anesthesiologists, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
Education Requirements for CRNAs
Certified registered nurse anesthetists practice at a high level, so they need advanced education. Future CRNAs must first earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, as this is a required foundation for graduate-level nursing education. Those who became an RN with a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will need to head back to school for a BSN.
CRNAs also need a doctoral degree to round out their education. You can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on nursing anesthesia or a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). Both degrees will prepare you equally well to become a CRNA, but if you think you might eventually transition to academia, the DNP may be a better choice.
Steps to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
This nursing specialty is not entry-level. You’ll first need clinical experience as an RN, ideally in a related setting, such as an intensive care unit (ICU). This is a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at different specialization options and evaluate whether becoming a CRNA is the right move for you. If so, then you can take the next steps.
How long does it take to become a nurse anesthetist? The timeline can vary from one nurse to another, but the general timeline and steps are as follows:
- Earn a BSN. This may take four years with a traditional BSN program or as few as 16 months with Madonna University’s ABSN program. Note: When applying to our ABSN, you may need to complete prerequisites before the 16-month timeline applies.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN. Most students take the exam within a couple of months of graduation.
- Obtain an RN license. RN licenses are typically administered relatively quickly after passing the NCLEX and applying.
- Gain clinical experience. Plan on gaining at least one year of clinical experience in a relevant setting, like the ICU. Some RNs might need more experience depending on their preferred doctoral program.
- Earn a doctoral degree. The timeline for this step is highly variable, depending on factors like whether you’re a part-time or full-time student. It may take as few as two years or as long as five years to earn a DNP or a DNAP.
- Obtain board certification. After graduating with your doctoral degree, you can take the board certification test necessary to become a CRNA and obtain your APRN license upon passing.
Nurse Anesthetist Salary and Career Outlook
One compelling reason to learn how to become a nurse anesthetist is the impressive salary command of this specialty. Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid demographic of nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all types of APRNs typically earn higher salaries than RNs, but CRNAs tend to earn more than nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives. The median annual nurse anesthetist salary was $223,210 as of May 2024.
Additionally, the job outlook for all APRNs is robust. According to the BLS, CRNAs specifically can expect a 9% job growth rate from 2024 through 2034.
Is Becoming a CRNA Right for You?
After learning how to become a nurse anesthetist, take some time to consider whether it’s truly the right career move for you. While there are many perks to this career path, it’s also important to understand that nurse anesthetists carry significant responsibility.
CRNAs are charged with keeping patients stable during surgery, no small task considering patients under anesthesia may go into cardiac arrest, suffer anaphylaxis, or experience other life-threatening complications. As such, nurse anesthetists are ideally calm under pressure and think quickly on their feet.
Other helpful characteristics and soft skills for CRNAs include:
- Attentive to detail
- Collaborative
- Good at stress management
- Organized
In addition, consider whether the typical work settings for a nurse anesthetist might appeal to you. Some of the workplaces for this nursing specialty include:
- Ambulatory surgery facilities
- Dental surgery offices
- Labor and delivery units
- Ophthalmology practices
- Pain centers
- Private anesthesiology groups
- Surgical departments
- U.S. military branches
Thinking of relocating for nursing school? Metro Detroit can be an ideal place to start your career.
Benefit From Values-Based Nursing Education at Madonna University
Madonna University is a private university with a Catholic heritage and Franciscan values, welcoming diverse students of all religions and backgrounds. We emphasize values-based education that prioritizes intellectual rigor and leads to nursing excellence.
At our ABSN learning site in Metro Detroit, you could earn your BSN in as few as 16 months and benefit from a flexible hybrid curriculum, small class sizes, personalized support, and Academic Success Coaches. With three start dates per year, rolling admissions, and no waitlist, you can get started soon.
Contact an admissions representative to learn more about Madonna’s ABSN program.