How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a registered nurse who has advanced experience and received additional study and training in anesthesiology. She is with her patients in the operating room and administers medication as well as support and comfort measures. This is an exciting profession with many benefits and perks. CRNAs command an excellent salary and are highly respected. You don't need to have a master's degree in order to become a CRNA, but you will need at least four years of undergraduate study, hospital experience and additional training and certification. This process takes time, but is well worth the rewards.

Instructions

1. Assess your skills. Nursing is a demanding profession that is not for everyone. Those who succeed love helping people and serving their community, have great patience and a good sense of humor, possess loads of confidence, work well on a team, can take direction easily but are highly independent and don't mind standing on their feet for long periods. The nurses who are happiest in their jobs also have the keen ability to separate work and personal time. Working under demanding circumstances and not taking a patient's problems on while keeping a professional demeanor is vital.

2. Receive an undergraduate degree. For those who want to become CRNAs, you must have a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN). This will take a minimum of four years, but it gives you an advanced education which is necessary to become a CRNA. Some RNs pursue an associate degree of nursing and then bridge to a BSN program.

3. Become licensed. After you've obtained your BSN, you are eligible to take your state board examination which gives you a license to work in your state of residence. Contact your state licensing board for information regarding date, time and location.

4. Gain practical experience. Once you're licensed to work, you will need a minimum of one year's experience in a hospital setting. The hospital must be an acute care facility.

5. Apply to a CRNA program. Now that you're prepared, you can apply to a CRNA program for additional training and certification. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs lists the current programs available. These programs of study typically take two to three years to complete.

6. Take your licensing exam. You now are eligible to take the national certification exam which will give you license to practice as a CRNA. Once this exam is completed and passed, you may practice as a CRNA.

Resources

• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs