How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anestheologist
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses specializing in anesthesiology. As advanced practice nurses, these specialists have at least a master's degree in nursing and have, minimally, at least a year of clinical experience.
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Instructions
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Go to a four-year college and earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN). If you have already gone to college, you may be eligible for a one-year accelerated nursing program.
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Study for and pass the nursing licensure examination, also called the NCLEX-RN. This is a national examination that you must pass before becoming a nurse.
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Work for least one year in an intensive, acute care setting. Many programs require more than one year, so check the requirements of your target school.
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Apply for a master's in nursing in a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists program at an accredited school in the state you would like to practice in. These programs generally range from two to three years for full-time students.
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Take the certification exam for Nurse Anesthetists given by the National Board on Certification and Re-certification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Certification must be renewed every two years.
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Apply for jobs in the area and type of practice you would like to work. After obtaining your job, make sure to keep your certification and licenses up to date with any required continuing education.
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Tips & Warnings
Many nurse anesthesiology programs require beyond a year's clinical experience
