CRNA Info You May Be Looking For

January 27, 2012 - A nurse anesthetist, also known as a CRNA, is a certified and licensed nurse who administers anesthesia to patients. In order to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, a nurse first needs to obtain a master's degree in nursing anesthesia, then pass a certification upon graduation.

It is not easy to become CRNA as the programs usually consume much time and take from two to three years of rigorous study and education. A person wishing to enter such programs must first already have achieved a bachelor's degree in nursing or BSN, or counterpart degrees in other institutions. Other requirements include being currently registered and licensed as a nurse and having one year of practice and experience in acute care.

In the field of nursing, a career as CRNA is probably the most lucrative and financially rewarding. Sometimes, anesthetists earn more than a doctor does. Based on a study by Allied Health and Nursing, a CRNA has the capacity to get a salary of more than $180,000 every year. Healthcare recruiters are constantly targeting CRNA careers because of the need for more RNs, yet this particular type of nurse has high demand.

To become a CRNA, you must of course start with becoming a registered nurse or RN. That means you have to take up an undergraduate degree in nursing (BSN) and complete it. After which you will need to acquire a license to practice as a registered nurse. CRNA master's program requirements include having a BSN as well as being a registered and licensed nurse. Experience in healthcare jobs is also important and should be attained after getting a diploma and license. Between two and three years is needed as experience in working, but the minimum for practice in an ICU setup is one year.

After gaining experience as a registered nurse the next thing to do is obtain a master's of science in nursing degree, otherwise known as an MSN. The master's program can take between two and three years to complete. Prior to applying for enrollment in the master's program, a graduate record exam known as the GRE must be taken. The cost to take the exam can be expensive, but admission into a graduate program is heavily dependent on the GRE score. Becoming a CRNA is an excellent career path for those interested in a lifetime of learning and high salary potential!

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Learn more about becoming a CRNA. Stop by Dave Lashier's site where you can find out all about becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and what it can do for you.
CRNA Info You May Be Looking For