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Miranda
Student
Jurupa Valley, California
1
Question
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How would I become a CRNA after I finish my schooling to become a RN?
I am planning on becoming a registered nurse first, but after that, what do I have to do to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist? I would like to have that specialty but I don't know how to accomplish that.
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Michaela Christie
2
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Cranford, New Jersey
Updated
Michaela’s Answer
To become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, you will first need to obtain a Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN) then take the NCLEX to obtain your Registered Nurse license. Before applying to CRNA school, individuals typically work as a RN in a critical care setting (for at least a year). Most of the individuals I know who have gone on to become CRNAs, worked in the ICU, but different programs may have different inclusions for critical care settings. This real world experience ahead of the CRNA program helps individuals get experience with patient care, medication administration and titration, patient assessments, medical devices (i.e., ventilators), documentation, etc., which are applicable skills you will build upon and leverage as a CRNA. Once you have gained real world RN experience, you can apply to CRNA programs, which are typically around 3 years and full time due to the demanding curriculum and clinicals.
If this is a path that interests you, you should start by applying to nursing school, then focus on getting an ICU nursing position following graduation. Some hospitals have nurse residency programs or fellowships for new graduates specifically interested in specialty areas like critical care or OR. During nursing school, you can try to get clinicals within the ICU and/or find opportunities to do a nurse externship/internship in a critical care setting to help you differentiate yourself as you apply to roles post graduation. In addition, you may want to shadow in the ICUs and ORs to determine if these roles are the right fit and of interest you, as well as network with ICU / CRNA professionals to get real world insights into their experiences (i.e., first role before applying to CRNA school, the application process, and the job).
In addition to my experience as a nurse (who was at one point interested in becoming a CRNA), I reviewed the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology article, What to Know About Becoming a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist to help provide the most update insights. This resource may be helpful for you as you continue to pursue your interest in becoming a CRNA.
https://www.aana.com/about-us/about-crnas/become-a-crna/
If this is a path that interests you, you should start by applying to nursing school, then focus on getting an ICU nursing position following graduation. Some hospitals have nurse residency programs or fellowships for new graduates specifically interested in specialty areas like critical care or OR. During nursing school, you can try to get clinicals within the ICU and/or find opportunities to do a nurse externship/internship in a critical care setting to help you differentiate yourself as you apply to roles post graduation. In addition, you may want to shadow in the ICUs and ORs to determine if these roles are the right fit and of interest you, as well as network with ICU / CRNA professionals to get real world insights into their experiences (i.e., first role before applying to CRNA school, the application process, and the job).
In addition to my experience as a nurse (who was at one point interested in becoming a CRNA), I reviewed the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology article, What to Know About Becoming a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist to help provide the most update insights. This resource may be helpful for you as you continue to pursue your interest in becoming a CRNA.
https://www.aana.com/about-us/about-crnas/become-a-crna/