An in-depth guide on steps needed to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Embarking on a career as a nurse anesthetist is a long and often challenging journey, but it is well worth the time and effort. Nurse anesthesiologists are at the top of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' advanced practice nursing list.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is a nurse who specializes in administering anesthesia and care for the patients receiving it. Nursing is a great career to go into, although not everyone is cut out for it.
Becoming a CRNA requires years of schooling as well as practical experience, but don't let these facts deter you.
If your heart is set on becoming a CRNA, Reply! can help you find a nurse anesthetist school.
The first step you'll need to take on your journey to become a nurse anesthetist is to obtain your bachelor's degree in nursing. This may require you to do some undergraduate work in order to meet the prerequisites for a university-level nursing program.
If you decide to become a registered nurse before acquiring your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), you'll spend at least a year on prerequisite classes before being accepted into an associate in nursing (ADN) program. It will take you at least two years to receive your associate in nursing degree and be able to move on to the BSN program. It will take an additional two years to complete the BSN program.
Keep in mind that most nurses work full time while completing their registered nurse (RN) to BSN degree, so it may take longer for you to reach your educational goal. If you go straight into a BSN, skipping over the ADN, most programs take around five years to complete.
However you go about achieving your educational goals, it's imperative that you graduate with at least a 3.0 grade point average in order to be accepted into a nurse anesthetist program.
Once you have obtained your BSN and nursing license, you will need to gain actual ICU nursing experience. Any nurse anesthesia school that you apply to will require that you have one to five years of ICU experience. It's rare for hospitals to hire new nurses straight into the ICU, so be prepared to spend a year or longer working on a medical or surgical floor before becoming an ICU nurse. During this time, you'll need to obtain the following certifications:
- Pediatric advanced life support (PALS).
- Aadvanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS).
- Basic life support (BLS).
- Critical care registered nurse (CCRN).
Once you have been working in the ICU for at least two to three months, you can start applying to CRNA programs. Before being accepted into a nurse anesthetist school, you will have to pass the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a high score. It is recommended that you take the GRE six months to a year before applying to any CRNA programs. This gives you time to retake the exam if needed.
Once you are accepted into a CRNA program, you'll spend another two to three years becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. You will need to pass the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA) exam upon completion of your CRNA program before being hired as a nurse anesthetist.
Becoming a nurse anesthetist requires many years of schooling and practical experience, but it is worth the effort in the end. As a CRNA, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've helped save lives by caring for patients who are in critical condition.
Read "Nurse anesthetist schools" for additional info.
Photo credit: A patient receives anesthesia from a nurse anesthetist by ReSurge International via Compfight CC. Second photo credit: anesthesia machine by sean94110 via Compfight CC. Third photo credit: A nurse anesthetist practices by Stanford EdTech via Compfight CC.