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Kaylee
Student
Bruning, Nebraska
1
Question
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What do you have to do to become a nurse anesthetist?
Like experience, schooling, how many years, etc.
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2 answers
Tonya Lawrence, PhD, MSN, RN, CNM
Nurse,Mentor,Educator,Leader
75
Answers
Updated
Tonya’s Answer
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) are Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) with a Master / Doctorate degree in nursing caring for people at various ages and in different health conditions. The specialty has been around for over 150 years (American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 2022).
CRNAs have advance knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to care for patients during a high-risk event of healthcare which is providing medication that causes loss of sensation/consciousness. The event should not be taken lightly. To provide such care the CRNA completes pre-requisites such as becoming a RN with a Bachelor and then a Master’s degree. The RN completes courses in statistics, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, biology, chemistry, research, evidence-based practice, microbiology, and additional required nursing courses. Then the RN works to gain experience in critical care setting(s) such as intensive care unit(s) in a hospital or other high-risk setting, education in advance cardiac and respiratory care, and may achieve specialty certifications before starting a CRNA program. The total time can range between 5 – 6 years.
The RN returns to CRNA school to complete intense education in advance pharmacology, assessment, physiology and pathophysiology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of anesthesia, genetics, residencies (providing patient care with a preceptor in healthcare settings), health equity, and more requirements. The time in CRNA school is apx. 3 years, depending on the school’s program.
Here are four (4) and two (2) included in your state:
---sample programs and requirements:
*Hofstra University - https://www.hofstra.edu/graduate-nursing/adult-gerontology-agacnp-crna-dnp.html
*Columbia University - https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/programs/doctor-nursing-practice-nurse-anesthesia
*Bryan College of Health Sciences – Lincoln, Nebraska
https://www.bryanhealthcollege.edu/bcohs/academic-programs/nurse-anesthesia/
*Clarkson College – Omaha, Nebraska
https://www.clarksoncollege.edu/nursing/degree-options/nurse-anesthesia/
When I worked with CRNAs in Labor and Delivery as a RN, the CRNAs provided pain management for women in labor, we worked together during the resuscitation of newborns, discussed the management of patients in labor, collaborated with anesthesiologists and obstetricians, and discussed research and practices in healthcare related to pain management and general healthcare topics as well.
CRNAs maintain their knowledge through life-long learning by attending conferences, publishing in journals, leading research, educating the healthcare community and public, and so much more. From the outside, one may not realize the depth of knowledge and skills the CRNA possesses.
To learn more about CRNAs and the different settings they work, I have included three website resources below for further information.
Resources for further information:
* American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (2022) Become a CRNA
Website: https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna
*American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (2022). Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Fact Sheet. Website: https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna/crna-fact-sheet
* Johnson & Johnson (2022) Nursing Specialties
Website: https://nursing.jnj.com/specialty
CRNAs have advance knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to care for patients during a high-risk event of healthcare which is providing medication that causes loss of sensation/consciousness. The event should not be taken lightly. To provide such care the CRNA completes pre-requisites such as becoming a RN with a Bachelor and then a Master’s degree. The RN completes courses in statistics, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, biology, chemistry, research, evidence-based practice, microbiology, and additional required nursing courses. Then the RN works to gain experience in critical care setting(s) such as intensive care unit(s) in a hospital or other high-risk setting, education in advance cardiac and respiratory care, and may achieve specialty certifications before starting a CRNA program. The total time can range between 5 – 6 years.
The RN returns to CRNA school to complete intense education in advance pharmacology, assessment, physiology and pathophysiology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of anesthesia, genetics, residencies (providing patient care with a preceptor in healthcare settings), health equity, and more requirements. The time in CRNA school is apx. 3 years, depending on the school’s program.
Here are four (4) and two (2) included in your state:
---sample programs and requirements:
*Hofstra University - https://www.hofstra.edu/graduate-nursing/adult-gerontology-agacnp-crna-dnp.html
*Columbia University - https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/programs/doctor-nursing-practice-nurse-anesthesia
*Bryan College of Health Sciences – Lincoln, Nebraska
https://www.bryanhealthcollege.edu/bcohs/academic-programs/nurse-anesthesia/
*Clarkson College – Omaha, Nebraska
https://www.clarksoncollege.edu/nursing/degree-options/nurse-anesthesia/
When I worked with CRNAs in Labor and Delivery as a RN, the CRNAs provided pain management for women in labor, we worked together during the resuscitation of newborns, discussed the management of patients in labor, collaborated with anesthesiologists and obstetricians, and discussed research and practices in healthcare related to pain management and general healthcare topics as well.
CRNAs maintain their knowledge through life-long learning by attending conferences, publishing in journals, leading research, educating the healthcare community and public, and so much more. From the outside, one may not realize the depth of knowledge and skills the CRNA possesses.
To learn more about CRNAs and the different settings they work, I have included three website resources below for further information.
Resources for further information:
* American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (2022) Become a CRNA
Website: https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna
*American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (2022). Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Fact Sheet. Website: https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna/crna-fact-sheet
* Johnson & Johnson (2022) Nursing Specialties
Website: https://nursing.jnj.com/specialty
Megan Jackson BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
62
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Kaylee start with your Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Then work 2 years in the ER or ICU. You need those two requirements before applying or entering a Nurse Anesthesia program. Good luck