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What is a certified registered nurse anesthetist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) specializes in providing anesthesia to patients undergoing medical procedures. CRNAs administer general, regional, and local anesthesia, and monitor patients before, during, and after surgery. They work with physicians, surgeons, and healthcare professionals to develop a safe anesthesia plan for patients. CRNAs must have education and training in anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, and patient management. They also need certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

ScoreCertified Registered Nurse AnesthetistUS Average
Salary
9.0

Avg. Salary $152,996

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
10.0

Growth rate 40%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.20%

Asian 6.55%

Black or African American 3.44%

Hispanic or Latino 5.00%

Unknown 3.76%

White 81.05%

Gender

female 59.56%

male 40.44%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a certified registered nurse anesthetist?

Pros

  • High salary

  • Job security

  • High demand for CRNAs

  • Autonomy in decision making

  • Career advancement opportunities

Cons

  • Long and irregular hours

  • High level of responsibility

  • Potential for litigation or malpractice claims

  • Limited opportunities for work-life balance

  • Interpersonal conflicts with colleagues or patients

Certified registered nurse anesthetist career paths

Key steps to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist

  1. Explore certified registered nurse anesthetist education requirements

    Most common certified registered nurse anesthetist degrees

    Master's

    39.7 %

    Bachelor's

    39.7 %

    Associate

    9.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific certified registered nurse anesthetist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients21.59%
    Patient Care7.54%
    Acls6.87%
    Anesthesia Care5.75%
    OB5.66%
  3. Complete relevant certified registered nurse anesthetist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified registered nurse anesthetists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified registered nurse anesthetist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified registered nurse anesthetist resumes.
  4. Research certified registered nurse anesthetist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage CRNA staffing, scheduling and performance evaluations.
    • Diagnose and manage common medical problems such as diabetes, COPD, and hypertension.
    • Experience in managing type 2 DM, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, COPD, sleep apnea, and asthma.
    • Manage use of anesthesia machine and mechanical ventilation.
  5. Prepare your certified registered nurse anesthetist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your certified registered nurse anesthetist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a certified registered nurse anesthetist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable certified registered nurse anesthetist resume templates

    Build a professional certified registered nurse anesthetist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your certified registered nurse anesthetist resume.
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Resume
  6. Apply for certified registered nurse anesthetist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a certified registered nurse anesthetist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first certified registered nurse anesthetist job

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Average certified registered nurse anesthetist salary

The average certified registered nurse anesthetist salary in the United States is $152,996 per year or $74 per hour. Certified registered nurse anesthetist salaries range between $79,000 and $292,000 per year.

Average certified registered nurse anesthetist salary
$152,996 Yearly
$73.56 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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