How To Become A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Registered nurses with licenses in good standing would take these steps to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist crna. To become a crna aspiring nurse anesthetists must first earn a bachelor of science in nursing bsn. Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients in the united states for more than 150 years. Such exposure provides new nurses with the core clinical skills needed to succeed in nurse anesthetist schools.
To become a nurse anesthetist you must have a registered nurse rn license and a master s degree from an accredited msn program with a crna program. Most certified nurse anesthetist programs offered by accredited schools usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. Some crnas choose to specialize. These highly trained professionals work in a variety of medical facilities such as hospitals clinics dentistry offices and in delivery rooms. Earn a master of science in nursing msn or higher degree in nurse anesthesia become board certified as a crna through the national board of certification and recertification of nurse anesthetists nbcrna. The length of time to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist crna may vary depending on the program.
The title nurse anesthesiologist which is synonymous with the title nurse anesthetist is used by some crnas.
Currently you need a master s degree and national certification to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist but that will change in 2025 when a doctoral degree will be required to enter the field per the council on accreditation coa of nurse anesthesia educational programs all crna degree programs must include a doctoral degree by january 1 2022. These highly trained professionals work in a variety of medical facilities such as hospitals clinics dentistry offices and in delivery rooms. To advance to a master s degree a student must first complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a bachelor s degree in nursing bsn. Registered nurses with licenses in good standing would take these steps to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist crna. The crna certified registered nurse anesthetist credential came into existence in 1956. While it s true that you can become an rn after earning your associate degree in nursing a key requirement for earning your master s degree and becoming a crna is getting your bsn.