Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide anesthesia care to patients of all ages in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental offices. CRNAs are highly skilled professionals who are responsible for the care and safety of their patients before, during, and after surgery.

Academic Requirements

To become a CRNA, one must first complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program. After graduating from nursing school, one must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).

Once licensed as an RN, one must gain at least one year of full-time work experience (or its part-time equivalent) in a critical care setting. This experience is essential for developing the skills and knowledge necessary to provide anesthesia care to patients.

After gaining the required critical care experience, one can then apply to a nurse anesthesia program. Nurse anesthesia programs are typically two to three years in length and culminate in a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. All nurse anesthesia programs must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Clinical Requirements

In addition to the academic requirements, CRNAs must also complete a significant amount of clinical training. During their nurse anesthesia program, students will rotate through a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental offices. During these rotations, students will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of anesthesia care, including patient assessment, medication administration, and airway management.

Credentialing

Once graduating from a nurse anesthesia program and passing the National Certification Exam for Nurse Anesthetists (NCRE), one can then apply to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). CRNAs must maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements every three years.

Credentialing from Accredited Nursing Organizations

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)

The AANA is the professional organization for CRNAs. The AANA offers a variety of credentialing programs for CRNAs, including:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): This is the basic credential for CRNAs. To earn the CRNA credential, one must graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia program and pass the NCRE.
• Certified Nurse Anesthetist-Critical Care (CRNA-CC): This credential is awarded to CRNAs who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in critical care anesthesia. To earn the CRNA-CC credential, one must complete a post-graduate fellowship in critical care anesthesia.
• Certified Nurse Anesthetist-Pediatric (CRNA-P): This credential is awarded to CRNAs who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in pediatric anesthesia. To earn the CRNA-P credential, one must complete a post-graduate fellowship in pediatric anesthesia.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The ANCC is an accredited organization that offers credentialing programs for a variety of nursing specialties, including nurse anesthetists. The ANCC offers the following credential for CRNAs:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): This is the basic credential for CRNAs. To earn the CRNA credential from the ANCC, one must graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia program and pass the NCRE.

How Credentialing Contributes to Improved Practice

Credentialing is important for CRNAs because it demonstrates that they have met the educational and clinical requirements necessary to provide safe and effective anesthesia care. Credentialing also helps to ensure that CRNAs are up-to-date on the latest advances in anesthesia practice.

When patients choose a CRNA to provide their anesthesia care, they can be confident that the CRNA has met the highest standards of education and training. Credentialing also helps to promote public safety by ensuring that CRNAs are held to a high standard of care.

Here are some specific ways that credentialing contributes to improved practice:

• Credentialing ensures that CRNAs have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective anesthesia care. The educational and clinical requirements for CRNA certification are rigorous and designed to ensure that CRNAs are prepared to provide anesthesia care in a variety of settings.
• Credentialing helps CRNAs to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in anesthesia practice. CRNAs must complete continuing education requirements every three years to maintain their certification. This helps to ensure that CRNAs are aware of the latest best practices and clinical guidelines for anesthesia care.
• Credentialing promotes public safety by ensuring that CRNAs are held to a high standard of care. Credentialing organizations have a responsibility to investigate and discipline