CRNAs are highly educated, experienced advanced practice registered nurses
CRNAs deliver anesthesia using the same procedures as physician anesthesiologists.
CRNAs have an average of three and a half years of critical care experience before entering a nurse anesthesia program.
CRNAs are the only anesthesia professionals with this level of critical care experience prior to beginning formal anesthesia education.
CRNAs attain seven to eight years of education, training and work experience.
Today’s CRNAs enter the workforce with a master’s or doctoral degree. CRNAs must receive their master’s or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
By 2025, all CRNAs will receive a doctoral degree from a program accredited by the COA.
CRNAs are qualified to administer every type of anesthesia to all types of patients in any healthcare setting. Nurse anesthetists deliver comprehensive care using all accepted anesthetic techniques including general, regional, sedation, local and pain management.
