How do you become a CRNA? The process of how to become a CRNA, or nurse anesthetist, begins with earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Then, pass the NCLEX to become a licensed nurse and gain clinical experience before pursuing graduate-level education and board certification.
Before the advent of anesthesia in the 1840s, surgeons had few options to prevent pain for their patients. Surgery today is far safer, thanks in large part to anesthetic drugs. For over 150 years, nurse anesthetists have been helping patients undergo surgeries safely and painlessly. If you’re thinking about switching to a nursing career and are interested in working in surgery, you might look into how to become a CRNA.
The first step is earning a nursing degree. At Felician University, our Hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Parsippany, New Jersey, and our On-Ground ABSN program in Rutherford, New Jersey, are designed to allow you to graduate with a baccalaureate nursing degree in as few as 16 months. This provides a faster pathway toward an advanced nursing career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
How do you become a CRNA? First, learn more about what nurse anesthetists do and whether it’s the right career choice for you. Then, explore the process of how to become a nurse anesthetist.
Learn how an Accelerated BSN differs from a traditional BSN program.
What Is a Nurse Anesthetist?
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). There are three other main types of APRNs. Certified registered nurse anesthetists specialize in administering anesthesia and other pain control medications. They take care of patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Some of the main tasks of a CRNA include:
- Reviewing patient medical histories and identifying potential risk factors for anesthesia, such as a prior history of adverse reactions to anesthetic drugs
- Delivering patient education and obtaining informed consent
- Administering medications
- Managing the patient’s airway
- Responding to emergency situations and complications
- Monitoring vital signs
- Caring for patients during the post-surgical recovery
Some CRNAs may choose a sub-specialty, such as pediatric or obstetric anesthesia.
H2: Is Becoming a CRNA Right for You?
Becoming a CRNA can be a good choice for aspiring nurses who are interested in a challenging nursing specialty that offers considerable salary potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CRNAs made a median annual salary of $223,210 as of May 2024.
Salary isn’t the only factor to consider, however. Here are some of the important qualities nurse anesthetists need:
- Attention to detail
- Focus and concentration
- Ability to think on one’s feet and handle emergencies calmly
- Collaborative mindset
- Professionalism and integrity
- Strong communication skills
How Long Does It Take to Become a CRNA?
There is no universal answer to how long it takes to become a CRNA, as the time depends on factors unique to the individual. If a person progresses through the career pathway quickly, it might take eight to 10 years. Otherwise, it can take up to 16 years.
How Do You Become a CRNA?
The process of how to become a nurse anesthetist may be lengthy, but the education requirements are strict for a good reason: CRNAs are directly responsible for ensuring their patients’ safety. Anesthesia science may have come a long way since its infancy, but going under general anesthesia is still risky. To become a competent nurse anesthetist, you’ll first need to lay a solid foundation with a quality BSN.
1. Find the Right BSN Program
If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0, you might not need to spend four years in a traditional BSN program. Instead, Felician University’s Hybrid and On-Ground ABSN programs enable you to graduate in as few as 16 months after completing any needed prerequisites. Plus, there’s no waitlist, and our Hybrid ABSN offers three start dates each year, so you can get going sooner.
2. Complete the Admission Requirements
Contact an admission counselor at Felician University to review your transcripts and determine which prerequisites you might need. The prerequisites include courses in lifespan development, microbiology, and chemistry, all of which help prepare you to excel in nursing school.
You’ll also need the following to apply:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 credits
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
- All official transcripts
- Letter of intent
- Resume
- Two professional or academic references
3. Graduate with a BSN and Obtain an RN License
Regardless of which traditional BSN or ABSN program you choose, you can expect a blend of didactic coursework and hands-on learning experiences. At Felician University, you can choose between online coursework with our Hybrid ABSN or in-person coursework with our On-Ground ABSN. If you attend classes in person, you’ll visit our main campus in Rutherford.
Both Hybrid and On-Ground students also complete in-person nursing skills and simulation labs. Our cutting-edge Nursing Resource and Simulation Center is fully equipped with the latest tools, including medical simulators and the same advanced medical equipment you’ll later use in hospitals.
The third learning component of nursing school is clinical rotations. At Felician University, you’ll complete clinical rotations with the Atlantic Health System and other leading healthcare providers in the area.
After graduating, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN in order to obtain a registered nurse (RN) license.
4. Get to Work in a Relevant Nursing Specialty
The next step in how to become a CRNA is to gain at least one year of clinical nursing experience. Some future nurse anesthetists work for two to three years before moving on. Look for a job in a nursing specialty relevant to nurse anesthesia, such as:
- Critical care nursing
- Emergency room (ER) nursing
- Intensive care unit (ICU) nursing
- Surgical nursing
Gaining experience at the bedside is required for admittance to graduate-level nursing education programs. It also allows you to refine your nursing skills and practice caring for patients.
What does an ER nurse do? Explore this exciting specialty.
5. Earn a Master’s Degree
CRNAs are required to hold a doctoral degree. Some doctoral programs for nurses require applicants to hold a master’s degree, while others do not. If the doctoral program does require a master’s degree, be sure to earn one from an accredited school and look for a concentration designed for nurse anesthetists.
6. Earn a Doctorate Degree
A future CRNA can choose to earn either a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). Both degrees prepare nurses for clinical practice as CRNAs. Either choice would take about the same amount of time.
Pass the Board Certification Exam and Obtain an APRN License
After earning your doctoral degree, you can register for the board certification exam for CRNAs, which is administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. After you pass this exam, you can apply for a state-issued APRN license and begin looking for nurse anesthetist jobs.
Get Started Today at Felician University
Felician University has a proven legacy of comprehensive nursing education infused with Franciscan values. Our values-based program offers flexible learning options, with both a Hybrid and an On-Ground program available, maintaining a practice-ready focus with extensive NCLEX-RN prep available. If eligible, you could graduate in as few as 16 months and be ready to tackle the next step in the process of how to become a CRNA.
Discover why relocating to New Jersey for nursing school could make sense for you.
Contact an admission counselor at Felician University to begin working on your career transition into nursing.