How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Step into one of nursing’s most specialized and rewarding roles. Learn what it takes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), from education and licensure to job duties and exceptional earning potential.
CRNA Career Guide
See how much a CRNA earns and how quickly you can get started in this rewarding career.
What is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are highly skilled advanced practice nurses specializing in administering anesthesia and managing pain. Their expertise spans preoperative assessment, safe delivery of anesthesia during procedures, and post-anesthesia care. Because they perform intricate and critical work, CRNAs are among the most respected, and well-compensated healthcare professionals.
Curious about what it takes to join this rewarding field? Let’s dive into the CRNA path in detail.
What Does a CRNA Do?
CRNAs work across diverse settings, including hospital operating rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), outpatient surgical centers, emergency rooms, and even dental offices. Depending on state laws, they may work independently or as part of a collaborative medical team with surgeons, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
While surgery schedules often fall between early morning and evening on weekdays, CRNAs are frequently on call for evenings, weekends, and holidays due to the unpredictable nature of surgical and emergency procedures.
Here’s a look at typical CRNA duties:
- Assess patients for potential risks like allergic reactions or anesthesia complications
- Administer precise doses of anesthesia safely and effectively
- Monitor patients’ vital signs and responses during procedures
- Maintain and adjust anesthesia levels as needed throughout surgery
- Oversee patients’ recovery after anesthesia
- Educate patients and families about what to expect before and after anesthesia
- CRNAs play a critical role in keeping patients safe and comfortable before, during, and after surgery.
Steps to Become a CRNA
Pursuing a career as a CRNA requires dedication, rigorous training, and significant investment of time and resources. But for many, the professional and financial rewards make it worth the effort. Here’s how to become a CRNA:
Your journey begins with becoming a registered nurse (RN). While an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) can qualify you for RN licensure, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is strongly recommended. A BSN provides a solid educational foundation in subjects like pharmacology, pathophysiology, and advanced health assessments—all essential for a future in anesthesia.
After earning your BSN, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and fulfill any additional requirements set by your state’s board of nursing to become a licensed RN.
Unlike some other APRN roles, CRNA programs typically require applicants to have at least one to three years of hands-on experience in an intensive care setting. This experience is crucial because it exposes nurses to high-acuity patients and develops essential clinical decision-making skills.
During this time, many aspiring CRNAs pursue additional certifications, like the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) credential, to strengthen their applications. Shadowing a practicing CRNA can also offer valuable insight and show your commitment to this specialized path.
Next, you’ll need to enroll in a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
While historically many CRNAs earned a master’s degree, the standard is shifting. By 2025, all new CRNA graduates will be required to hold a doctoral degree, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP).
CRNA programs generally take 2–3 years and combine advanced coursework with extensive clinical practice. Admission requirements often include:
- Active RN license
- BSN degree (or related bachelor’s with prerequisites)
- At least 1–2 years of critical care nursing experience
- Minimum GPA (varies by program)
- Letters of recommendation
- Professional references
- Strong communication skills
- During your program, you’ll study topics like advanced pharmacology, physiology, and anesthesia techniques while completing rigorous clinical rotations.
Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). This computer-based exam tests your knowledge and skills in anesthesia care.
Once you pass the exam and meet your state’s licensing requirements, you’ll officially be a CRNA!
Remember, maintaining certification is an ongoing commitment. Every four years, CRNAs must complete continuing education credits, and every eight years, they must meet additional assessment requirements to stay current in this dynamic field.
Why Will CRNAs Need Doctorate Degrees by 2025?
Historically, a master’s degree was sufficient to become a CRNA. However, the increasing complexity of anesthesia care and evolving healthcare systems prompted the Council on Accreditation (COA) to raise the educational standard.
By 2025, all new CRNA graduates must hold a doctoral degree. This change reflects the growing demand for advanced knowledge in patient safety, healthcare leadership, and evidence-based practice.
If you’re already practicing as a CRNA with a master’s degree, you’re not required to return for a doctorate, but pursuing one could enhance your career prospects. Many hospitals and healthcare systems may increasingly prefer or require doctoral-prepared CRNAs, particularly for leadership or teaching roles.
For master’s-prepared CRNAs seeking to stay competitive, bridge programs exist to help them earn a doctoral degree while continuing to work.
To stay updated on evolving standards and requirements, keep an eye on organizations like the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and the COA.
In Summary:
Becoming a CRNA is demanding, but the rewards, both professionally and financially, are significant. CRNAs stand at the forefront of patient safety during surgical procedures and are trusted experts in anesthesia care. For those who thrive under pressure, enjoy precision work, and want a career that combines autonomy with high earning potential, CRNA is a path worth exploring.
