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Careers in Nursing | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Career Guide, Job Opportunities, News, Educational Resources

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

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This Careers in Nursing Page Is Sponsored By: The Ohio State University

 Become eligible to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice degree online from Ohio State here

Career Overview

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who provide anesthesia care to patients, often in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and other health care professionals. They work with a high level of autonomy and responsibility. Anesthesia administered by a CRNA compared to that by an anesthesiologist is the same; the difference is the practice by which it is given (nursing versus medicine). In addition to administering anesthesia, CRNAs are responsible for completing a pre-anesthetic assessment, maintaining patient safety while under anesthesia, and managing the patient after discontinuation of anesthesia. CRNAs can work wherever anesthesia is administered: operating rooms in a hospital, ambulatory surgery centers, obstetrical delivery rooms, dentist offices, and more.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

RN preparation and graduation from an accredited master’s level nurse anesthesia
program are both required. Passing the National Certification Exam by the National
Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists after graduation is
essential. Nurses also need at least 1 year of clinical experience in an intensive care
setting, such as an intensive care unit, prior to entering a graduate in nurse anesthesia
program. Basic life support and advanced cardiac life support certification are also
required.

CORE COMPETENCIES/SKILLS NEEDED

  • Critical thinking skills
  • Thorough knowledge of medications administered by CRNAs
  • Ability to make important decisions quickly under stress
  • Strong computer and documentation skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Excellent assessment skills and advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology,
    pathophysiology, and pharmacology

RELATED WEBSITE AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION

  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (www.aana.com)
  • International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (ifna.site)
  • National Board of Certification & Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists
    (www.nbcrna.com)

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Sponsor: The Ohio State University

Ohio State’s online DNP Nurse Anesthesia program allows nurses with critical care experience to advance their skills and careers toward becoming Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Earn your master's degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in this 36-month program where you will learn how to provide the best patient care in any setting where anesthesia is provided.