There are many reasons why a patient must receive anesthesia, from minor procedures requiring only a local anesthetic to invasive surgeries requiring general anesthesia. Health professionals who administer these medications must receive extensive training to safely administer the appropriate type of anesthesia to the right patients.

This is why Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are vital to healthcare. If you are considering nursing, advancing your career to become a CRNA offers high practice authority, a strong career outlook, and high earning potential.

Before becoming a CRNA, you must work as a registered nurse (RN). If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can help you complete the first step toward becoming a CRNA fast and earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing in as few as 16 months.

Learn how to become a CRNA faster by accelerating the time it takes to become an RN.

What is a CRNA?

A CRNA is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs receive master’s or doctoral-level training focusing on a specific area of medicine or patient population. CRNAs, also called nurse anesthetists, specialize in administering anesthesia and other types of medications.

Their responsibilities include:

• Safely administering anesthetics and other medications before and during medical procedures
• Monitoring patients undergoing anesthesia
• Identifying risks and potential complications of anesthesia

They work with a wide variety of healthcare workers in many different clinical settings, such as operating rooms, emergency rooms, and post-anesthesia care units.

Nurse Anesthetist Schooling: What to Expect

A nurse anesthetist program is not the first step in your education. To become a nurse anesthetist, you must first earn a BS in nursing and gain a few years of clinical experience as an RN in critical care. After gaining valuable patient care experience, you can enroll in an accredited nurse anesthetist program to earn a master’s or doctoral degree.

A nurse anesthetist program can take three to four years to complete. While no program is the same, you can expect the program to include course instruction in various areas related to anesthesiology and clinical hours so you can hone your skills, build confidence, and prepare for your future career.

While specifics vary across programs, you can expect to study the following subjects:

• Anatomy
• Anesthesia pharmacology
• Biochemistry
• Pain management and more

You will also learn the legal and professional aspects of anesthesia practice, preparing you to provide safe and professional care.

Step-by-Step: How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

How long does it take to become a CRNA? Traditionally, it can take eight years or more. That’s assuming you enroll in a traditional, four-year BS in nursing program and gain at least one year of clinical experience before pursuing a graduate degree, which could take three to four years.

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can expedite the process by enrolling in an accelerated BS in nursing program. At Mount Saint Vincent, you can earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months. Consider the steps below to become a CRNA through the ABSN route.

Enroll in an ABSN Program

If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the first step in becoming a nurse anesthetist is applying to an accelerated BS in nursing program.

At Mount Saint Vincent, there are four steps to the ABSN admission process:

• Contact an admission counselor: After you fill out the online contact form, an admission counselor will contact you. They will guide you through each step of the process, answer questions, and help you meet the ABSN requirements in time for your target start date.
• Create an academic plan: Prerequisite courses are essential to the admission process, and you must create an academic plan to complete them on schedule. Your admission counselor will review your educational history to determine which courses you must complete.
• Complete prerequisites: Prerequisite courses establish the framework to pursue nursing studies. Courses include science courses, such as general chemistry and microbiology, and non-science courses in English and math.
• Apply to the ABSN: You can apply to the program after satisfying all the ABSN requirements. You must complete an online application, one letter of recommendation, a personal essay, and submit official transcripts.

Earn a BS in Nursing Degree

Once enrolled in a BS in nursing program, you will start working on building the knowledge base and skills needed to become a registered nurse. At this point in your education, you will not be studying to be a nurse anesthetist; however, this is a necessary step in your CRNA journey.

Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program prepares students to provide patient care in various clinical settings and integrates NCLEX-RN exam preparation into the curriculum. As an ABSN student, you will participate in:

• Nursing Coursework: Coursework establishes foundational nursing concepts in pathophysiology, health promotion, pharmacology, nursing research, and evidence-based practice.
• Nursing Labs: Students participate in nursing skills labs, which offer a controlled environment for practicing core skills on medical manikins. They also participate in simulation labs, where they work through clinical scenarios with fellow students.
• Clinical Rotations: Students will work in various clinical settings throughout New York City. They will provide direct patient care to real patients while under close supervision.

Pass the NCLEX Exam

Once you earn a BS in nursing, you can register for the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a nationally recognized exam that tests applicants’ nursing competence and clinical judgment. You must pass the exam to earn a registered nurse license.

The NCLEX utilizes computerized adaptive testing to generate the number and difficulty of questions based on your previous answers. While your nursing program will help prepare you for the exam, you should also take the initiative to study, review practice questions, and take practice exams throughout your undergraduate education.

Once you pass the NCLEX, you can register with your state board of nursing to earn a registered nurse license.

Gain Clinical Experience as an RN

While you cannot immediately start working as a CRNA, you are licensed to work as an RN. The clinical experience you gain as a nurse will help inform your CRNA career. Most CRNA programs require students to acquire nursing experience in critical care.

You should look for nursing positions in areas related to your career goals, such as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Working in an ICU will expose you to the conditions, patients, and healthcare professionals you’d encounter as a nurse anesthetist. This is valuable experience that will prepare you for your future role.

The number of years required to be eligible for a CRNA program varies, but you should expect to need one to three years of experience before applying.

Enroll in a Graduate Program

After gaining critical care experience, you are ready to begin your nurse anesthetist schooling. To become a CRNA, you must earn a master’s degree or higher from an accredited nurse anesthetist program.

Pass the NCE

The National Certification Exam (NCE) is administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Like the NCLEX, the NCE utilizes computerized adaptive testing to determine the number and difficulty of questions based on previous answers.

You should prepare well in advance for the NCE, the same way you did for the NCLEX. Regularly reviewing practice questions, taking practice exams, and joining study groups will help you feel confident on exam day.

Once you pass the NCE, you can apply for a license and become a practicing CRNA.

CRNA Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

While RNs have a strong career outlook, CRNAs have even stronger projections. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of nurse anesthetists is expected to grow 10% between 2023 and 2033, with 5,200 new job openings.

Nurse anesthetists also have high earning potential, the highest among APRNs. As of May 2024, the median CRNA salary was $223,210.

Start the Journey to Becoming a CRNA with UMSV

Understanding how to become a CRNA is essential to planning your future career. Because you must first earn an RN license and gain clinical experience, you cannot start working as a CRNA right out of nursing school.

Fortunately, Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program can help you quickly complete the first step in your CRNA journey. By earning your BS in nursing through the accelerated nursing program, you can start working as an RN and become a CRNA faster than the traditional route.

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, contact an admission counselor today to learn more about how the ABSN program can help you take the first steps toward a nursing career.