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What do you have to do to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthesiologist) ?
Hello! I am currently a rising junior in high school, and am very interested in going into the medical field. However, I am not sure what I want to be. I think I am interested in going to nursing school. When do I apply to nursing school? About how long does it take to become a CRNA? What about CRNA school? My parents don't know a lot about college, so I am really lost. #nursing #medicine #nurse #doctor #medical #crna #college
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4 answers
Elizabeth Jackson MSN, APRN, NP-C
Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Hospitalist
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Elizabeth’s Answer
You want to start looking into what colleges your interested in during your junior year. Many colleges have early deadlines for scholarships which means that you will need to start applying for colleges in the summer following your junior year of high school. In order to qualify for financial aid you also have to complete the FAFSA which is made available to students around October (Sometimes sooner) of their senior year of high school. Getting all of your paperwork together and meeting all of the necessary deadlines is important. If you wait until you have graduated high school to start applying to schools you will be way behind your peers. Most nursing schools also require a separate admission process which means you not only have to apply to the college but you must also apply to the nursing school within the college that you choose to attend. There is almost always an interview process and you need to have a C or better in a high school chemistry course. The higher your GPA the greater your chances of getting accepted into the nursing program right out of high school. If for some reason you do not get accepted to the program immediately then all you have to do is spend a semester or 2 taking your
pre-requisites and reapply the following year.
There are 2 types on RN programs- an associate or 2 yr program and the bachelorette or 4 yr RN program. You have to be a 4 yr/BSN prepared RN in order to apply for the CRNA program which is a masters level degree. For most CRNA programs you usually have to complete anywhere from 2-3 years of adult critical care work as well. CRNA programs are highly competitive only allowing 15-20 students in each class. I can’t speak for all programs but those in my area of the country do not allow one to work while in the program because the courses are quite rigorous. Most programs take 2 years to complete and jobs are usually easy to obtain once graduated and board certified.
I hope this Information helps you and good luck on your endeavors!
pre-requisites and reapply the following year.
There are 2 types on RN programs- an associate or 2 yr program and the bachelorette or 4 yr RN program. You have to be a 4 yr/BSN prepared RN in order to apply for the CRNA program which is a masters level degree. For most CRNA programs you usually have to complete anywhere from 2-3 years of adult critical care work as well. CRNA programs are highly competitive only allowing 15-20 students in each class. I can’t speak for all programs but those in my area of the country do not allow one to work while in the program because the courses are quite rigorous. Most programs take 2 years to complete and jobs are usually easy to obtain once graduated and board certified.
I hope this Information helps you and good luck on your endeavors!
Thank you for your response! It was very helpful.
Athena
Updated
Doc’s Answer
So you think you might like to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist Athena?
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse specialist who administers anesthetics to patients, monitors patients' vital signs, and provides post-surgical care. She spends much of her time standing and may need to help lift and move patients. Nurse anesthetists can work in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient settings. Those who work in hospitals may work in shifts that include nighttime hours. Emergency situations that require anesthesia may be stressful, and this job can be emotionally demanding.
HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST
STEP 1.) EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE – To become a CRNA, aspiring nurse anesthetists must first earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You'll have to finish two years of prerequisites before applying to a bachelor's-level nursing program. Some students become nurses through diploma or associate's degree programs and gain some experience before completing an RN-to-BSN program. Coursework topics include basic nursing skills, health assessment fundamentals, human anatomy, biology, psychology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. Get good grades Athena. Nurse anesthetist programs often require applicants to have maintained an overall GPA and science GPA of 3.0 or better. You will also complete clinical rotations in major health departments, like women's health, pediatrics, mental health, and surgery.
STEP 2.) EARN YOUR CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE – All states require nurses to pass the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and obtain licensure before being allowed to practice. Individual states might have additional requirements. One's RN license must be in good standing to apply to a nurse anesthesia program.
STEP 3.) GET SOME EXPERIENCE – Earn Critical Care Registered Nurse certification. Many nurse anesthesia master's degree programs suggest that applicants earn certification in this specialty area. Having this certification proves that nurses are knowledgeable and competent in critical care. Eligibility requirements include a valid RN license and at least 1,750 hours of direct critical care within the past two years.
Nurse anesthesia master's degree programs require applicants to have hands-on experience in critical care nursing. RNs can acquire experience by working in an intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, or surgical intensive care unit.
STEP 4.) EARN YOUR MASTER'S DEGREE – A master's degree program in nurse anesthesia requires a minimum of 27 months of full-time attendance. You'll learn to operate anesthesia equipment and manage surgical and emergency situations that require anesthesia. Course topics commonly include anesthesia pharmacology, anesthesia pathophysiology, anesthesia biochemistry, geriatric anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and pain management. You will complete numerous supervised clinical experiences involving diverse anesthesia situations, from eye surgery to plastic surgery and open-heart surgery.
STEP 5.) YOUR READY TO BECOME CRNA
Attaining the CRNA credential is necessary to practice. Individuals with master's degrees in nurse anesthesia from accredited schools and unrestricted RN licenses are eligible to take the National Certification Exam, which is administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Some states also require CRNAs to obtain specialty licensure status. Maintain credentials. Nurse anesthetists must keep their RN licenses valid, which requires periodic completion of professional development. Regulations are set by individual states. Additionally, every two years, they must complete 40 hours of approved continuing education and submit documentation of valid licensure and employment history to maintain the CRNA designation.
There you go Athena – Five Steps & Five Tips to help you prepare for the next chapter of your life. Good Luck
Volunteer – Spending a couple of hours each weekend at a hospital, assisted living facility, or in another healthcare setting can help students learn more about the profession and understand whether it offers a good fit for their personal and professional needs. Volunteer work hours also look great on a college application.
Job shadow a nurse anesthetist – Nurse anesthesia programs stress that it's important to have a genuine interest in an anesthesia career.
Become a HOSA Member – Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) provides an opportunity for future health leaders – including nurses -- to take advantage of professional and academic resources while still in high school. The group offers events, competitions, scholarships, and plenty of resources to help connect learners with the nursing world while still in high school.
NOW is the best time to start preparing for your college application process, between your sophomore and junior year of high school.
You can never know too much about your potential college. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to 2-3 colleges, take a few more visits and ask as many questions as possible. The more you know, the more comfortable you’ll be as a freshman – this is one of the most crucial steps in preparing for college.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse specialist who administers anesthetics to patients, monitors patients' vital signs, and provides post-surgical care. She spends much of her time standing and may need to help lift and move patients. Nurse anesthetists can work in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient settings. Those who work in hospitals may work in shifts that include nighttime hours. Emergency situations that require anesthesia may be stressful, and this job can be emotionally demanding.
HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST
STEP 1.) EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE – To become a CRNA, aspiring nurse anesthetists must first earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You'll have to finish two years of prerequisites before applying to a bachelor's-level nursing program. Some students become nurses through diploma or associate's degree programs and gain some experience before completing an RN-to-BSN program. Coursework topics include basic nursing skills, health assessment fundamentals, human anatomy, biology, psychology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. Get good grades Athena. Nurse anesthetist programs often require applicants to have maintained an overall GPA and science GPA of 3.0 or better. You will also complete clinical rotations in major health departments, like women's health, pediatrics, mental health, and surgery.
STEP 2.) EARN YOUR CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE – All states require nurses to pass the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and obtain licensure before being allowed to practice. Individual states might have additional requirements. One's RN license must be in good standing to apply to a nurse anesthesia program.
STEP 3.) GET SOME EXPERIENCE – Earn Critical Care Registered Nurse certification. Many nurse anesthesia master's degree programs suggest that applicants earn certification in this specialty area. Having this certification proves that nurses are knowledgeable and competent in critical care. Eligibility requirements include a valid RN license and at least 1,750 hours of direct critical care within the past two years.
Nurse anesthesia master's degree programs require applicants to have hands-on experience in critical care nursing. RNs can acquire experience by working in an intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, or surgical intensive care unit.
STEP 4.) EARN YOUR MASTER'S DEGREE – A master's degree program in nurse anesthesia requires a minimum of 27 months of full-time attendance. You'll learn to operate anesthesia equipment and manage surgical and emergency situations that require anesthesia. Course topics commonly include anesthesia pharmacology, anesthesia pathophysiology, anesthesia biochemistry, geriatric anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and pain management. You will complete numerous supervised clinical experiences involving diverse anesthesia situations, from eye surgery to plastic surgery and open-heart surgery.
STEP 5.) YOUR READY TO BECOME CRNA
Attaining the CRNA credential is necessary to practice. Individuals with master's degrees in nurse anesthesia from accredited schools and unrestricted RN licenses are eligible to take the National Certification Exam, which is administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Some states also require CRNAs to obtain specialty licensure status. Maintain credentials. Nurse anesthetists must keep their RN licenses valid, which requires periodic completion of professional development. Regulations are set by individual states. Additionally, every two years, they must complete 40 hours of approved continuing education and submit documentation of valid licensure and employment history to maintain the CRNA designation.
There you go Athena – Five Steps & Five Tips to help you prepare for the next chapter of your life. Good Luck
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Earn your bachelor's degree and become an RN. Work as a nurse for 1-2 years with ICU experience. Take the GRE and apply to CRNA school.
Thank you for your response!
Athena
Updated
Phyllis’s Answer
I agree with everything that has been said. The process for admission into CRNA school is rigorous and they will pick the best of the best. I would also suggest speaking with someone who is already a CRNA and ask them about their day to day responsibilities. It is a very rewarding career for the right individual.
Thank you for your response! I agree, talking with someone who is already a CRNA would be great.
Athena