A CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) works in the same venues that anesthesiologists work in. These venues include delivery and labor units, hospital operating rooms, outpatient centers, pain management clinics, and intensive and critical care floors. CRNA work can happen in offices of ophthalmologists, dentists, podiatrists, and plastic surgeons. They can also be found in government and military medical facilities.

Places CRNA Work is Needed

For over 150 years nurses have provided anesthesia care to patients. CRNAs are the main providers of anesthesia to underserved and rural communities. They take care of the anesthesia needs for millions of patients every year. A CRNA works with anesthesiologists, medical professions, surgeons, and other types of physicians to administer anesthesia for surgical and medical procedures.

A CRNA will take care of a patient throughout the entire surgery process or medical procedure. They will do a patient assessment, prepare a patient for anesthesia as well as maintain and administer the anesthesia to make sure pain management and sedation is monitored properly. They will also watch over a patient’s recovery and care for any post-op needs.

Becoming a CRNA

It takes about seven years of clinical practice and education for a nurse to become a CRNA. A CRNA must have a Bachelor’s of science degree as well as a master’s degree from a graduate school of nurse anesthesia. A CRNA must be a registered nurse with a license. Additionally, before a nurse can become a CRNA they must have one year of acute care experience as well as more training within a larger hospital venue.

While in training, a CRNA will end up administering approximately 800 anesthetics and work about 1,800 clinical hours. A CRNA must also pass a certification exam after graduation and must then do 40 hours or more of continuing education to maintain their designation every two years.