To become a certified nurse anesthesiologist, you must earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree, hold an unencumbered RN license, have at least one year of experience as a critical care RN, and complete an accredited nurse anesthesia program. It is strongly recommended that candidates complete a doctoral program.
For 150 years, anesthesia has played a vital role in delivering safe health care. In that time, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) have emerged as highly skilled specialists providing anesthesia services and practicing nursing at a high level.
If you’re considering this path, Pacific Lutheran University’s (PLU) Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers the foundational nursing education needed for an advanced nursing career. The ABSN program is a crucial first step. Through high-quality online coursework combined with in-person labs and clinical rotations, students can graduate with the confidence to tackle the NCLEX-RN and the leadership skills to progress their careers. From there, you can gain experience as a registered nurse and pursue the additional education required to become a nurse anesthetist.
In this guide, we’ll examine the responsibilities, required skills, education requirements, and career outlook for a nurse anesthesiologist.
What Is a Nurse Anesthetist?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also called nurse anesthesiologists, are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with the education and expertise to administer anesthesia in diverse health care settings.
As a nurse anesthetist, you are responsible for pre-anesthesia and anesthesia procedures, including:
- Conducting pre-anesthesia assessments
- Selecting and ordering anesthetic medications
- Securing patient consent
- Regulating anesthesia administration throughout operations
- Performing post-operative consultations and recovery assessments
During surgery, CRNAs must remain vigilant of the patient’s condition, manage their airway, and perform intubation and extubation. Throughout these procedures, nurse anesthesiologists closely collaborate with surgeons and doctors and navigate the challenges of these relationships.
Uncover the different educational levels between an RN vs NP and consider another APRN role available to you.
CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist: Understanding the Difference
The differences between a CRNA and an anesthesiologist are in the depth of education and the scope of practice. While both professionals are qualified to administer anesthesia to patients, anesthesiologists are medical doctors (MDs) who have completed extensive medical training.
The scope of practice for a nurse anesthetist varies by state. Some states require CRNAs to work under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington is one of many U.S. states allowing nurse anesthesiologists to practice autonomously.
Click here to discover your state’s CRNA regulations.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist
Earning your Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) is the first step in your nursing career. If you lack a prior college education, you will need to apply for a traditional, four-year nursing program. Candidates with 60 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree may be eligible for an ABSN program.
Accelerated programs, like the one at Pacific Lutheran University, allow students to leverage their previous education to earn their BSN faster. After meeting the eligibility requirements and completing any outstanding prerequisites, PLU’s ABSN students can graduate in as few as 16 months. While PLU does not offer a CRNA program, a quality BSN education sets you on the right track to earn an advanced nursing degree.
Your next move after graduation is to gain critical care nursing experience. While a minimum of one year of experience is required, you should research the requirements of your preferred CRNA program to ensure you submit the strongest application possible.
Upon enrollment in a CRNA program, you embark on the final leg of your educational journey. A nurse anesthetist program requires two or three years of further education, but the outcome is worth it. It is helpful to know, however, that between your BSN degree, clinical care experience, and CRNA program, it can take seven to eight years to become a nurse anesthesiologist.
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) outlines the minimum CRNA certification requirements as follows:
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing
- An unencumbered RN or APRN license
- A minimum of one year of full-time experience as a critical care RN
- Graduation from an accredited nurse anesthesia education program
After meeting these minimum CRNA certification requirements, you will be eligible to take the National Certification Exam (NCE), which is administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.
Keep in mind that, although the minimum requirements state that students are eligible for certification with a master’s degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) is strongly recommended. This requirement is not yet codified, but the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) aims to standardize it in 2025.
Ready to get started? Here are ten tips on how to prepare for nursing school.
Key Skills for Success as a Nurse Anesthetist
All nursing roles require certain skills, such as compassion, dedication, and adaptability. As advanced nurses, CRNAs must go above and beyond to develop specific skills vital to their career.
Clinical Expertise and Anesthesia Knowledge
Nurse anesthesiologists are responsible for regulating the patient’s comfort and condition throughout treatment, which requires the careful selection of the type and amount of medication to provide. Too much or too little could compromise patient safety, so it is important that nurse anesthetists build their clinical expertise and anesthesia knowledge through extensive clinical hours and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Leadership and Team Collaboration
Additionally, CRNAs commonly practice their duties as part of a health care team, collaborating with a supervising anesthesiologist or a surgical team to administer the proper care. These APRNs must hone their communication skills early in their careers to effectively collaborate with doctors, educate patients and their families, determine patients’ needs, and convey those needs to the care team.
Learn more about the role of communication in nursing and how it can boost every nurse’s practice.
Career Opportunities for Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse anesthesiology is one of the growing advanced practice nursing roles you can pursue, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 10% increase in employment between 2023 and 2033. Plus, CRNAs can find opportunities in any setting requiring pain control, airway management, or anesthesia administration.
Work Environments: Hospitals, Clinics, and Private Practice
Nurse anesthesiologists can practice in various hospital departments, including the surgical unit, acute care unit, or labor and delivery, but plenty of jobs are available outside the hospital. These can include:
- Since regulations were passed allowing CRNAs to practice without the supervision of an anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetists have filled a gap in anesthesia services within rural communities. According to the AANA, CRNAs make up over 80% of anesthesia providers in rural America.
- Nurse anesthetists may also choose to work in private practice. They can take on roles in a dentist’s or an ophthalmologist’s office or with a private anesthesiology group.
Choose Pacific Lutheran University for Your Nursing Education
Embarking on the path to becoming a nurse anesthetist is a demanding but highly rewarding journey. It requires significant education and dedication, and it all begins with earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
At Pacific Lutheran University, you can begin that journey. Our ABSN program offers three start dates per year—in February, June, and September—allowing you to begin your BSN education when the time is right for you. Our admissions representatives are here to support you, guiding you through the application process and helping you create a plan to meet all the requirements for your chosen start date.
Contact us today to take the first step toward your advanced nursing career.