Professional organization for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists:
Contributed by:
Lisa J. Thiemann, CRNA, MNA, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Lisa J. Thiemann, CRNA, MNA, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Who is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are master’s prepared advanced practice nurses who provide anesthesia to patients in every practice setting, and for every type of surgery or procedure. They are the sole anesthesia providers in two-thirds of all rural hospitals and the main providers of anesthesia to expectant mothers and to men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
What does a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist do?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists administer anesthesia and anesthesia-related care in four general categories:
What education, training, and experience must one have to function as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?
In order to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) one must graduate from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs or its predecessor and pass the certification examination administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists or its predecessor. The credential CRNA came into existence in 1956.
Education and experience required to become a CRNA include:
It takes a minimum of seven years of education and experience to become a CRNA. The average student nurse anesthetist works at least 1,694 clinical hours and administers more than 790 anesthetics.
How and by whom is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist supervised?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists provide anesthesia in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified health care professionals.
What are the typical day-to-day activities of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?
The typical day-to-day activities of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist include:
The functions listed above are a summary of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist practice and are not intended to be all-inclusive. A more specific list of functions and practice parameters is detailed in the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ Scope and Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice.
Must a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist be licensed or certified to function in his or her role as part of the health care team?
In order to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, the practitioner must be licensed and certified. CRNA credentials cannot be used until a graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia program has passed the initial certifying exam offered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. In order to continue practicing as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, recertification must be obtained every two years. In order to become recertified, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists must participate in a minimum of 40 hours of approved continuing education every two years, document substantial anesthesia practice, maintain current state licensure, and certify that they have not developed any conditions that could adversely affect their ability to practice anesthesia.
What types of patients would benefit from the care of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists care for all patient populations ranging from the premature infant to the elderly, and for all types of surgical and diagnostic procedures.
How and when does a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist become involved in the care of a particular patient?
This varies according to the specific needs of the patient. As soon as the need for anesthesia services is determined, the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist may become involved in a patient’s care.
