What does it take to become a nurse anesthetist?

Hi Lauren,

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), it generally takes a minimum of seven years postsecondary education and experience to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). An average student will complete approximately 2,500 clinical hours and administer 850 anesthetics before obtaining his or her certification.

Before becoming a nurse anesthetist, candidates typically work in acute care settings (e.g., emergency rooms or intensive care units) as registered nurses (RNs) for at least a year. The AANA reports that in order for an RN to become certified in administering aesthetics, they must first complete an accredited program.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA) has a complete list of all programs that are acceptable for national certification organized by state. These programs can be highly competitive due to the desirability and relatively high pay of the work, so it is important to carefully examine the admission requirements prior to completing an application to ensure qualification.

After completing an accredited program, candidates must pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) which is offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Finally, every two years, nurse anesthetists are required to recertify, a process which involves 40 hours of continuing education.

Graduate from the accredited nurse anesthesia program
All nurse anesthetists must complete an accredited program which generally takes 24-36 months.

All nurse anesthesia programs have courses such as:
- Anesthesia pharmacology
- Geriatric anesthesia
- Obstetric anesthesia
- Pain management
- Anesthesia biology
- Anesthesia pathophysiology

Additionally, the nurse anesthesia programs include clinical practice in university-based or large community hospitals where students are exposed to a range of procedures requiring anesthesia such as pediatric, plastic, and open-heart surgeries.

More detailed information in:

http://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/how-to-become-nurse-anesthetist

Best of Luck for you!