How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Yes, nurse anesthetists make a lot of money. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest paid of all nursing specialties. This is because being a nurse anesthetist requires a person to have a high level of skill, experience, knowledge, and judgment as they manage a patient's anesthesia.

As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the mean annual average salary for nurse anesthetists in the United States was over $183,000 in a year.

While all CRNAs make an above-average salary, it is important to note that there is a nearly $100,000 range between an entry-level nurse anesthetist's salary and a nurse anesthetist working in the position for eight or more years.

Entry-level nurse anesthetists typically make an average salary of around $120,000 annually. Meanwhile, a senior CRNA will typically earn over $220,000 in a year.

Additionally, how much a CRNA makes depends on the type of environment they work in and the level of responsibility. Anesthesia is offered in different ways and settings to relieve or avoid pain.

CRNAs make the most in the following settings:

• Outpatient care centers - $224,000

• Specialty hospitals - $201,000

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools - $197,000

• General medical and surgical hospitals - $196,000

• Physician offices - $180,000

It currently takes about eight years to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. This includes the time it takes to get a bachelor's degree in nursing, as well as the required nursing experience, a master's degree in nursing, and completing an accredited nursing anesthesia program.

To become licensed to work as a nurse anesthetist, a person must first earn a BSN or other appropriate major and complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice and obtain RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN.

Once they have received these designations, an individual must gain admission to an accredited graduate nurse anesthesia program. Program requirements vary depending on the college or university but typically require an applicant to hold valid RN licensure, a bachelor's degree in nursing (most programs now require an MSN as well).

A minimum of one year of full-time work experience, or part-time equivalent, is required as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. The average experience of RNs entering nurse anesthesia educational programs is about three years.

Additionally, while at this time, some nurse anesthesia programs offer a master's degree that qualifies the graduate for the certification exam. However, that is changing. In 2025, all CRNAs will need a doctorate in nurse anesthesia to enter the field. A few programs may still offer a master's degree that meets the criteria for certification until 2022.

While CRNAs with a master's degree will be grandfathered in, many degree-seekers choose to enroll in doctoral programs, which equip them with the most advanced skills and knowledge in the field and allow them to consider more career opportunities with higher salary options.

A medical assistant may be a better job than a CNA based on your personality. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) positions are more limited in the scope of their work; the focus of a CNA is helping with basic care in hospitals or nursing homes.

Medical Assistants (MA) may work in various clinical settings, labs, or hospitals where they work with patients, assist physicians, but MAs also work in billing, coding, or other administrative positions.

The work for an MA is typically more detail-oriented and analytical, whereas the role of CNAs provides direct care and needs to have strong communication skills and physical stamina.

CNAs deal directly with cleaning, bathing, and making patients comfortable; it is a hands-on job. CNAs require less training and typically earn less, while MAs have more choices on where they want to work, which shifts they prefer, and what they do.

While both CNAs and MAs are experiencing job growth, MAs job growth is at 19%, faster than the national average. MAs tend to have more professional opportunities for advancement, and they aren't required to be certified. The median salary, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics in 2020 for MAs, was $35,850 and for CNAs was $30,830.

Yes, becoming a CRNA is worth it. While this position requires completing rigorous coursework and commitment to many years of education, becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is worth it.

This is because the job is in high demand, meaning a person will have job security and extremely high pay.

The demand for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) is higher than ever, with projected employment rates for nurse anesthetists expected to grow by 14% over the next ten years.

As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the mean annual average salary for nurse anesthetists in the United States was over $183,000 in a year. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest paid of all nursing specialties.

This is because being a nurse anesthetist requires a person to have a high level of skill, experience, knowledge, and judgment as they manage a patient's anesthesia.

While all CRNAs make an above-average salary, it is important to note that there is a nearly $100,000 range between an entry-level nurse anesthetist's salary and a nurse anesthetist working in the position for eight or more years.

Entry-level nurse anesthetists typically make an average salary of around $120,000 annually. Meanwhile, a senior CRNA will typically earn over $220,000 in a year.

For a highly motivated individual who wants to work in the healthcare field, the role of the CRNA is a worthwhile position to pursue.

Yes, it is hard to become a nurse anesthetist. The combination of rigorous coursework and time commitment means becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is very hard.

To become licensed to work as a nurse anesthetist, a person must first earn a BSN or other appropriate major and complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice and obtain RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN.

Once they have received these designations, an individual must gain admission to an accredited graduate nurse anesthesia program. Program requirements vary depending on the college or university but typically require an applicant to hold valid RN licensure, a bachelor's degree in nursing (most programs now require an MSN as well).

A minimum of one year of full-time work experience, or part-time equivalent, is required as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. The average experience of RNs entering nurse anesthesia educational programs is about three years.

Additionally, while at this time, some nurse anesthesia programs offer a master's degree that qualifies the graduate for the certification exam. However, that is changing. In 2025, all CRNAs will need a doctorate in nurse anesthesia to enter the field. A few programs may still offer a master's degree that meets the criteria for certification until 2022.

While CRNAs with a master's degree will be grandfathered in, many degree-seekers choose to enroll in doctoral programs, which equip them with the most advanced skills and knowledge in the field and allow them to consider more career opportunities with higher salary options.