An oral surgeon is removing a wisdom tooth. The unconscious patient fidgets. Another trained professional boosts the anesthesia level. The patient stays calm, still and unconscious for the rest of the procedure.  

Surgeons perform procedures, but they don’t keep patients comfortable and stable during and after surgery. That critical task falls to the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).  

These professionals began as RNs but then channeled their expertise into a more specialized patient care role. How did they get there? We’ll answer that here and highlight the crucial services CRNAs provide. 

The Path to a CRNA Career 

A CRNA, or certified registered nurse anesthetist, is qualified to administer anesthesia to patients and monitor vital functions including respiration, pulse and blood pressure during medical procedures. These professionals must complete years of education and certification before they can practice as CRNAs.  

What Do CRNAs Do? 

CRNAs make sure patients don’t remember even a single second of a major surgical procedure. They’re often the ones who perform the epidural on a patient about to give birth. CRNAs excel at keeping us pain-free and safe during and after medical procedures. On a typical day, they will: 

• Provide preoperative and postoperative instructions to patients. 
• Administer anesthesia. 
• Monitor and maintain anesthesia levels during procedures, ensuring patient comfort. 
• Keep an eye on patients’ vital signs during procedures. 
• Oversee recovery from anesthesia. 
• Prescribe medication. 

CRNAs are not anesthesiologists, but rather advanced practice RNs with specialized skills. Anesthesiologists are medical doctors. 

How to Become a CRNA  

Thinking about becoming a CRNA? You’ll find it a rewarding field that enables you to do something important every day of your career. But you’ll need certain education credentials and hands-on experience. 

Here’s how to become a CRNA: 

1. Finish your undergraduate nursing degree. 
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam.  
3. Apply to your state board for an RN license. 
4. Gain at least one year of clinical experience as an RN. 
5. Earn a doctoral degree (DNP or DNAP) from an institution with an accredited nurse anesthesia program.  
6. Pass the national certification exam (NCE). 

Career Opportunities and Specializations for CRNAs 

The demand for CRNAs is rising dramatically, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 40% growth rate through 2033. Compensation rates are impressive, too, with nurse anesthetists earning about $212,650 per year.  

While being a CRNA has its challenges, the career offers significant job security, stability and flexibility. CRNAs can work in hospitals, outpatient centers, surgical clinics, dental offices and even the military or public health service. 

Want to focus on a specific area of anesthesia? Many CRNA programs allow you to gear your studies to specializations such as:

• Pediatrics (children’s hospitals and clinics) 
• Cardiology (heart surgery and cardiac care) 
• Obstetrics (labor and delivery, including caesarean sections) 
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery 
• Dental anesthesia 
• Neurosurgical anesthesia (brain and spine surgeries) 

You can also earn a certification in a specialty after finishing your program. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

If you’re considering becoming a CRNA and want to know if it’s a career worth pursuing, these answers to common questions might help you: 

• What is a CRNA?
  A CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) is a highly trained professional who assists physicians during procedures by sedating patients, keeping them comfortable, watching their vital signs and ensuring they have medication and instructions for their recovery. 

• What are the qualifications to become a CRNA?
  An aspiring CRNA must: become a licensed RN, complete one year of clinical experience,  followed by a DNP or DNAP from an accredited nurse anesthesia program, then pass the national certification exam to claim their CRNA license. 

• What are the job prospects for CRNAs?
  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows tremendous job availability and earning potential for CRNAs, with open positions increasing by 40% through 2033 and annual median earnings of $212,650. 

Enhance Your CRNA Career With Online Medical Physiology, Anatomy and Pharmacology Training 

On your way to CRNA school? Those programs and the degrees you need to get there are very competitive. Complete one of these online UF programs to help your application stand out: 

• Graduate Certificate in Medical Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits) 

Already a CRNA and want a stronger grasp of human anatomy, the major organ systems and medication effects on the human body? Consider any of our graduate certificate programs or take a deeper dive with a degree: 

• Master’s Degree in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology (30 credits) 
• Master’s Degree in Medical Anatomy and Physiology (30 credits) 

See more online UF programs that can support your CRNA journey. 

Sources:
https://www.aana.com/about-us/about-crnas/become-a-crna/ 
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22561-nurse-anesthetist-crna
https://www.aana.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/scope-of-nurse-anesthesia-practice.pdf 
https://www.intelycare.com/career-advice/what-is-a-doctor-of-nurse-anesthesia-practice-dnap/