3 answers
Saniya
Student
Bel Air, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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What pathway/ track should I take to become an anesthesiologist?
I’m an high school senior committed to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia wondering if any specific courses or programs or medical schools that can be recommended? Do I take the CNRA route or something else?
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3 answers
Taylor Nicole
Medical Student
8
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Saniya,
I recently matched into an anesthesiology residency and will be starting in the coming months. While I haven’t begun practicing yet, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with dozens of anesthesiologists over the past several years. Remarkably, none of them expressed regrets about choosing this field. In fact, many, some with over 35 years of experience, shared that they would go through the entire journey again without hesitation.
If you're drawn to the field of anesthesiology, another rewarding path to consider is becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This route typically involves completing nursing school, gaining a few years of critical care experience, and then applying to a CRNA program. It's a shorter and often less costly path compared to medical school, and it still leads to a fulfilling career in anesthesia with strong earning potential.
That said, if you choose to pursue medical school, it's important to know that there’s no guarantee of matching into anesthesiology. However, with commitment and hard work, it’s absolutely achievable—and it comes with the added benefits of greater autonomy and broader medical training compared to the CRNA path.
Both routes offer the chance to be part of an extraordinary field. Anesthesiology is, in my view, one of the most captivating areas of medicine. It’s a privilege to care for patients during their most vulnerable moments...to be the last person they see before going under and the first when they wake up. That responsibility is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
In terms of choosing medical schools, it is important to research which ones align with your desired location, MCAT score, and GPA.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more questions. I'm happy to share anything that might help.
I recently matched into an anesthesiology residency and will be starting in the coming months. While I haven’t begun practicing yet, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with dozens of anesthesiologists over the past several years. Remarkably, none of them expressed regrets about choosing this field. In fact, many, some with over 35 years of experience, shared that they would go through the entire journey again without hesitation.
If you're drawn to the field of anesthesiology, another rewarding path to consider is becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This route typically involves completing nursing school, gaining a few years of critical care experience, and then applying to a CRNA program. It's a shorter and often less costly path compared to medical school, and it still leads to a fulfilling career in anesthesia with strong earning potential.
That said, if you choose to pursue medical school, it's important to know that there’s no guarantee of matching into anesthesiology. However, with commitment and hard work, it’s absolutely achievable—and it comes with the added benefits of greater autonomy and broader medical training compared to the CRNA path.
Both routes offer the chance to be part of an extraordinary field. Anesthesiology is, in my view, one of the most captivating areas of medicine. It’s a privilege to care for patients during their most vulnerable moments...to be the last person they see before going under and the first when they wake up. That responsibility is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
In terms of choosing medical schools, it is important to research which ones align with your desired location, MCAT score, and GPA.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more questions. I'm happy to share anything that might help.
Keith Peevy
Physician—neonatologist
16
Answers
Mobile, Alabama
Updated
Keith’s Answer
What Taylor said. Nothing to add except earning potential may be higher with M.D. than CRNA. As a neonatologist, I have a great appreciation for a good person skilled in anesthesia, whatever the letters after their name.
Martin Schoen
APRN
387
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
It's simple. First, finish medical school, then apply for a residency in anesthesiology. The CRNA path is for advanced practice nurses, while the anesthesiology path is for doctors.