What Does a Nurse Anesthetist Do?
MSN required*
certification required
Editor's Note: Starting in 2025, certified registered nurse anesthetists will be required to hold a doctoral degree rather than only a master's.
Nurse anesthetists, also called certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), administer anesthesia to patients undergoing operations. They either administer a general anesthetic or use local anesthesia to numb a certain area of the patient's body so they do not feel pain.
CRNAs make sure to consult with patients about their allergies so that they can administer anesthesia safely. Some nurse anesthetists also work collaboratively with physicians.
CRNAs should possess critical thinking skills for nurses to assess changes in their patients' conditions and quickly decide on the most appropriate plan of action. They should also maintain high communication skills to collaborate with other healthcare professionals during procedures and interact with patients.
CRNA main job duties include the following tasks.
Primary Responsibilities
- Carrying out physical assessments
- Safely administering anesthesia
- Monitoring anesthesia levels during the procedure
Skills Learned
- Intravenous and intramuscular anesthesia administration
- Inhaled anesthesia administration
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Where Do Nurse Anesthetists Work?
CRNAs most commonly find jobs in physicians' offices, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, dentists' offices, plastic surgery clinics, ketamine clinics, and pain management specialists. They may also work for the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities.
Hospitals
Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia in surgical suites and labor and delivery rooms. They also work in critical-access hospitals and guide patients with recovery.
Physicians' Offices
CRNAs prepare patients through physical assessments and give and monitor anesthesia.
Plastic Surgery Clinics
CRNAs use anesthesia on patients undergoing cosmetic and plastic surgeries, either numbing a part of their bodies or administering a general anesthetic.
Why Become a Nurse Anesthetist?
When deciding whether to become a nurse anesthetist, be sure to weigh the pros and cons. You can find some advantages and disadvantages in the following list.
Advantages to Becoming a CRNA
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CRNAs possess greater independence and responsibility in their roles than other nurse professions, such as registered or licensed practical nurses. Their education and experience working in critical care can prepare them to make decisions on the job. -
The healthcare industry has a high demand for nurse anesthetists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that this profession could grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030. -
CRNAs work directly with patients, which can be great for professionals who enjoy working with people. -
Nurse anesthetists can earn high salaries, with a median annual salary of $195,610.
Disadvantages to Becoming an CRNA
How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
Becoming a nurse anesthetist requires about six years of education and two years of clinical experience. In 2025, the minimum degree to become a nurse anesthetist will change from a master's degree to a doctor of nursing practice or doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.
Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
For full-time students, an ADN traditionally takes two years to complete, while a BSN takes four years. Both degrees prepare students to become RNs.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses to receive RN licensure.
The NCLEX-RN exam evaluates RN candidates’ foundational knowledge of nursing skills and practices. A passing score is required for candidates to qualify for RN licensure.
Complete required nursing experience.
Individuals aspiring to become nurse anesthetists need to complete at least two years of experience in critical care nursing, such as an intensive care unit. Some graduate schools may accept only one year of experience.
Earn a master of science in nursing (MSN).
Find an MSN program with a nurse anesthetist specialization. These degrees typically last two years for full-time students. However, RNs with an associate degree might enroll in an RN-to-MSN degree program that requires an extra one or two years.
Pass the CRNA National Certification Examination.
Finally, candidates must pass the certification exam that assesses test-takers’ ability to carry out nurse anesthetist duties.
Featured Online MSN Programs
Education and Experience Requirements for Nurse Anesthetists
Before nurses can pursue careers as CRNAs, they must satisfy the eligibility requirements. They must start with earning a BSN and getting an RN license. Earning a BSN typically takes about four years of full-time enrollment.
Once degree-seekers complete their BSN programs, they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination to get their RN license. After getting their RN licenses, candidates must complete at least one year of full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in a critical-care setting before they can enroll in a master of science in nursing (MSN) program.
However, the average work experience of RNs entering nurse anesthesia educational programs is about three years.
At the master's level, a degree-seeker can often pursue a specialization in nurse anesthesia. This prepares them with the competencies they need for their postgraduate careers.
It should be noted that all anesthesia master's programs will transition into doctoral programs, most typically the doctor of nurse anesthesia practice, by the year 2025.
Once learners complete their graduate degree, they can seek national certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. The certification process requires each candidate to complete and pass a national certification exam, answering between 100-170 questions covering comprehensive topics.
Professionals interested in advanced practice nursing in the nurse anesthetist specialty must earn licensure specific to their state. Candidates can reach out to their state's nursing board to determine the requirements.
Changing Educational Requirements for CRNAs
What Changed
- In 2007, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) approved a statement requiring CRNAs to earn a doctorate by 2025.
- AANA did not specify what type of doctoral degree is required, but many programs offer a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice.
Student Nurses
- Beginning January 1, 2022, all nursing students entering CRNA programs must be enrolled in doctoral programs.
- Nurses currently enrolled in a master's level CRNA program will not need to complete a doctorate.
Licensed CRNAs
- Current CRNAs who were licensed through an MSN degree program do not have to complete a doctoral degree to practice. However, facility requirements may vary by institution.
Career and Salary Overview for Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse anesthetists work in one of the highest-paying professions within the nursing field. In 2020, they earned a median annual salary of $195,610, according to the BLS.
Like other advanced nursing professionals, nurse anesthetists are in high demand. The BLS projects that the number of advanced practice nurses could increase by 45% from 2020 to 2030. Employment of nurse anesthetists is projected to increase by at least 13% during that same time period.
| State | Average Salary | Total Number of CRNAs |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Above $208,000 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $276,540 | 430 |
| New Jersey | $263,850 | 1,460 |
| Illinois | $250,280 | 1,140 |
| West Virginia | $247,650 | 320 |
| Metropolitan Area | Average Salary | Total Number of CRNAs |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks, AK | Above $208,000 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | Above $208,000 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | Above $208,000 | 110 |
| Wausau, WI | Above $208,000 | Data not available |
| Springfield, IL | $298,890 | 100 |
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $254,180 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $219,540 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $212,340 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $200,340 |
| Offices of Physicians | $194,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Anesthetists
How long does it take to become a CRNA?
It takes at least seven years to become a CRNA. A bachelor's degree in nursing traditionally lasts four years, then graduates must earn their RN license and gain at least 1-2 years of experience in critical care. In addition to the program length, some spend a few years working as an RN or enroll in a part-time program, which means they might take up to a decade to officially earn CRNA certification.
While previously CRNAs required only a master's, candidates must now earn a doctorate. Most CRNA tracks have already transitioned to doctoral degree programs to comply with the new requirement. All current CRNA programs will transition to the doctoral level by 2022.
What's the difference between a CRNA and an anesthesiologist?
Anesthesiologists are physicians who attend medical school. CRNAs are advanced practice nurses. While anesthesiologists specialize in administering anesthesia, CRNAs either assist in giving anesthesia or, depending on the state, can administer it themselves.
Can CRNAs prescribe medicine?
A CRNA's prescriptive authority depends on the state in which they practice. In some states, nurse anesthetists can prescribe medication independently, while in others, CRNAs need to enter a supervisory or collaborative agreement with physicians to do so.
How much do CRNAs make in a year?
The median salary for nurse anesthetists was $195,610, as reported by the BLS. According to Payscale data, entry-level professionals earn $148,680, as of April 2022. Salary tends to increase as CRNAs gain experience.
Can nurse anesthetists work independently?
The ability for nurse anesthetists to work independently depends on the state they practice in. While most states allow CRNAs to conduct their work independently, some states require supervision or collaborative agreements. Professionals should refer to their state's nursing board to learn more about the restrictions.
Resources for Nurse Anesthetists
Over 57,000 nurse anesthetists hold membership with AANA, which brings together professionals through continuing education for nurses and professional nursing networking events.
Members can access resources, learn from webinars, and attend conferences and assemblies. Students may also join and take advantage of professional networking opportunities. The organization publishes a scholarly journal as well.
Based in the United Kingdom (UK), but also available to non-UK nurse anesthetists, this is a course for professionals who want to learn how to manage trauma patients in critical care. The course lasts three days and teaches participants how to manage traumatic injuries through simulated scenarios. At the end of the course, graduates gain certification.
This organization prioritizes safety within the anesthesia industry, providing safety resources for professionals and patients. Individuals can apply for awards and grants, and they can network with and learn from experts at conferences and other events.
Interested individuals can also keep up with regular newsletters from the foundation.
Representing 930,000 certified nurses, this group focuses on improving patient outcomes by promoting speciality nursing certification. ABNS hosts a spring conference to discuss assessment and management of certification organizations. Members can gain continuing education credit by participating in the conference and other events.
The group also publishes resources and presents awards.
Related Nurse Anesthetist Resources
Page last reviewed November 30, 2021
