Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) are advanced practice nurses who have earned a graduate degree and are licensed to administer anesthesia to patients. Nurses in the United States have been administering anesthesia for almost 150 years, and have been a formal organized specialty group since 1931 (then known as the National Association of Nurse Anesthetists and renamed as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists in 1939).
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CRNA’s work primarily in hospitals, but also in clinics and medical/dental offices. They create a plan for pain management, administer the drugs, manage complications as they arise and monitor the patient during the recovery period. Customizing care is a key part of a CRNA’s anesthesia plan; they constantly monitor their patient’s vital signs and other clinical indicators to make the necessary adjustments.
The education required to become a CRNA is quite extensive and takes several years. Before a nurse is accepted into a CRNA training program, he or she must earn an undergraduate degree, usually a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, and pass the NCLEX to obtain a license to work as a registered nurse. After earning an undergraduate degree and obtaining licensure, the registered nurse must have a minimum of one year of clinical experience in an acute or critical care setting.
Once accepted into a CRNA degree program (they can be quite competitive), it takes between two to three years to complete, depending on the program. A great deal of clinical and hospital experience, close to 1700 hours on average, is required during their training. Finally, the CRNA student must pass the board certification exam to earn their license to practice.
Recertification is required every two years. A minimum of 40 credit hours of continuing education and evidence of current clinical practice are required for a CRNA to be recertified.
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is the professional association that provides guidance and standards for practice. Recently, the National Board on the Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) was formed to help CRNAs through the certification and recertification process.
