An advanced-practice nurse who is certified as a registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is to give patients anesthesia.
A CRNA differs from an anesthesiologist in that the former has a graduate degree while the latter is a licensed medical practitioner (MD).
It requires several years of school because of the important prerequisites to becoming a nurse anesthetist. We address several frequently asked inquiries regarding this career in this article and how long it takes to become a nurse anesthetist.
Read: Becoming a Doctor, How long does it take to Become a Doctor
Quick Navigation:
What is a Nurse Anesthetist School Like?
The Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) Program curriculum is an integrated design that is focused on rich clinical experiences that prepare you for advanced nursing practice once it is shifted to our area in year 2 of the program.
Over 2,500 hours of clinical practicum experience will be completed as part of your clinical training, which will comprise about 800 cases. Pediatric, obstetric, geriatric, open heart, neurological, plastic, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, urology, orthopedic, radiographic, and transplant operations are among the anesthetic cases covered by this list. They are administered both elective and emergency anesthetics.
At several connected facilities that offer extensive exposure to anesthetic treatment, students gain practical experience.
Our Center for Experiential and Applied Learning, which includes a fresh cadaver lab, two human patient simulation laboratories, a standard patient assessment lab, and the chance to take part in innovative multi-disciplinary anesthetic crisis resource management training, enhances clinical instruction.
You can check out here: Why do you want to be a Nurse? Best Answer
Is Attending a Nurse Anesthetist School Worth It?
Yes, it is worthwhile to become a CRNA. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) must complete a challenging curriculum and devote many years to their education, but the effort is worthwhile.
This is because of the great demand for the position, which guarantees job security and a very high salary.
With forecasted employment rates for nurse anesthetists expected to increase by 14% over the next 10 years, there is a greater-than-ever demand for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).
The average yearly wage for nurse anesthetists in the united state was nearly $183,000 as of May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The best-paid nursing specialty is CRNAs or certified registered nurse anesthetists.
This is because managing a patient’s anesthesia needs a nurse anesthetist to have a high level of ability, experience, knowledge, and judgment.
Although CRNAs earn above-average salaries, it is important to note that the pay gap between entry-level nurse anesthetists and those who have held the profession for at least eight years is approximately $100,000.
Nurse anesthetists at the entry-level often earn an average of $120,000 per year. A senior CRNA often makes more than $220,000 per year.
The position of a CRNA is one worth pursuing a highly motivated person who wants to work in the medical industry.
See here: How Long Does It Take To Become A Realtor?
What Schooling Do You Need to Be a Nurse anesthetist?
Plan to take on a demanding course load besides what you’ve already done to get a bachelor of science in nursing if you decide to pursue the CRNA title (BSN).
Strong undergraduate nursing programs prepare you for the difficulties of a graduate degree that is much more demanding.
Programs for nurse anesthetists are quite picky about the applicants they accept. Any program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA to be accepted, but the most prestigious universities require a higher GPA and stellar recommendations.
The prerequisites for becoming a CRNA are:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing
- License as a registered nurse
- One year minimum of critical care nursing specialization
- Master’s in nursing and anesthesia
- Pass the CRNA and NBCRNA exams (National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists).
You can take the tests once you finish the study and receive a Master’s in Nursing Anesthesia (MNA). You may get both an MSN and an MNA at some of the more famous institutions, allowing you to teach besides practicing.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) oversees the certification of these graduate programs.
See also: How Long Does It Take To Become An Esthetician?
How Long Does It Take To Become a Licensed nurse anesthetist?
The current training period for trained registered nurse anesthetists is roughly eight years.
This covers the time needed to earn a nursing bachelor’s degree, the nursing experience, a nursing master’s degree, and to complete an accredited nursing anesthesia program.
A person must first receive a BSN or another relevant degree, complete a master’s degree in nursing (MSN), or a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed to practice as a nurse anesthetist.
An individual must enroll in a graduate nursing anesthesia program that is accredited after receiving these designations.
Although each college or university has its own criteria, most programs demand applicants to have a valid RN license and a bachelor’s degree in nursing (most programs now require an MSN as well).
A registered nurse must have at least one year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent amount of part-time work, in a critical care setting.
RNs entering nurse anesthesia educational programs typically have three years of experience.
In addition, several nurse anesthesia schools at the moment offer a master’s degree that entitles the graduate to sit for the certification exam.
But that is altering. All CRNAs will require a PhD in nurse anesthesia to practice their profession by 2025. Until then, a few programs might still provide master’s degrees that satisfy the requirements for certification.
While CRNAs with a master’s degree will be grandfathered in, many students decide to enroll in Ph.D. programs because they give them the most innovative knowledge and abilities in the industry and give them the opportunity to examine more career alternatives with greater compensation options.
Read: How to Become a Dental Hygienist: Ultimate Guide
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Licensed nurse anesthetist?
A nurse anesthesia online school might cost more than $100,000 in total.
Initially, aspiring nurse anesthetists must get a BSN degree, which can cost between $40,000 and $100,000.
After then, the cost of nurse anesthetist school might range from $50,000 to $200,000.
Comparing on-campus and online programs can help students save money. They should also know the hidden costs associated with education.
Check here: How Long Does It Take To Become A Vet Tech?
Salary and Job Outlook for nurse anesthetist after Study
The $185,099 annual average income for a certified nurse anesthetist is taken from Indeed wages, where the most recent salary statistics may be obtained.
Remember that this average income is for certified nurse anesthetists and that actual earnings will vary depending on the employer, your level of experience, and your area.
Certified nurse anesthetists make an additional $27,000 per year in overtime compensation on top of their average annual wage.
Job Outlook
By 2031, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that there will be a 40% rise in nurse anesthetist employment.
This growth is increasing more quickly than the overall average for vocations.
The BLS has highlighted several variables, including an increasing focus on preventative care and a higher demand for healthcare, that will probably contribute to this development.
Read here: How Long Does it Take to Become a Lawyer, Salary & More
Frequently Asked Questions
A nurse anesthetist can be found in any environment that calls for anesthesia, including a surgical or obstetrical suite, outpatient surgery centers, dentists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and the U.S. military, as well as in medical institutions run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A nurse anesthetist gives anesthesia to make a patient completely or partially asleep so that another medical professional can perform surgery or other treatments. CRNAs are consulted by other healthcare professionals and are also involved in pain management and certain procedures like intubation.
Depending on the institution, nurse anesthesia training can last anywhere from 24 to 51 months. Clinical environments and experiences are a part of the programs. Graduates of CRNA programs have, on average, 12,593 hours in the clinical setting.
CRNAs complete seven to eight years of school, training, and professional experience in total. The AANA Fact Sheet on CRNAs states that by January 1, 2022, all CRNA students will be enrolled in doctoral-level programs rather than master’s level ones.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), sometimes known as a nurse anesthetist, is a qualified advanced practice nurse.
CRNAs get national certification after completing intensive coursework and training. In the US, CRNAs safely give 32 million anesthetics to patients each year.
They work in a range of places, including typical hospital operating rooms, obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, and doctors’ offices, both in the commercial and public sectors and in the U.S. military.
For all kinds of surgical, obstetrical, pain management, and trauma stabilization treatments, CRNAs give anesthesia.
Throughout the whole process, CRNAs remain with their patients, closely observing them and carefully adjusting the anesthesia to maximize safety and comfort.
Anesthesia machine operation, ventilator management, spinal and epidural installation and management, many nerve blocks, oral, and nasal airway management, endotracheal intubation, and laryngeal mask airway placement, and management, are just a few of the specific operations.
Conclusion
Although there are many difficult requirements to meet in order to become a CRNA, many registered nurses and student nurses still wish to pursue this career.
You’ll be rewarded with good professional opportunities and a stable future if you pass all the tests and exams.
The public respects it greatly, and it is the nursing specialty that pays the highest wages.
It takes unwavering efforts for an average of ten years to complete a bachelor’s degree, gets experience, graduate, and take the certification test that follows.
As a trained registered nurse anesthetist, you can excel if you possess the knowledge and abilities.
Read also: How Long Does It Take To Become A Massage Therapist?
References
- https://www.indeed.com/salary for nurse anesthetist
- https://www.indeed.com/what schooling do you need to become a nurse anesthetist
- https://www.zippia.com/How long does it take to become a nurse anesthetist
- https://www.unitekcollege.edu/job outlook for nurse anesthetist
- https://school.wakehealth.edu/what is a nurse anesthetist School Like
- https://nursinglicensemap.com/FAQ