How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthesia is one of the most highly trained nursing specialties. The first steps to entering this field include earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, passing the NCLEX-RN exam, becoming licensed, and gaining clinical experience. If you’re curious about how to become a nurse anesthetist, you could get started sooner than you’d think at Concordia University Irvine.

Concordia University Irvine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in California enables you to transition into a nursing career in as few as 15 months upon starting the program. Earning a BSN is an essential step along the path to becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Before exploring the career pathway, take a closer look at what nurse anesthetists do. Get the answers to common questions, such as “How long does it take to become a nurse anesthetist?” Then, discover the concrete steps you can take toward pursuing a career as a CRNA.

What Is a Nurse Anesthetist?

A nurse anesthetist, or CRNA, is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs are at the highest level of clinical nursing practice, and they typically serve as nurse leaders and mentors. They practice across a variety of specialty areas, each with a distinct focus. CRNAs specialize in administering anesthesia and other pain control medications and caring for patients before, during, and after surgical and medical procedures.

Nurse anesthetists earn a competitive salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CRNAs had a median annual salary of $223,210 as of May 2024.

What Does a CRNA Do?

A CRNA works with patients undergoing surgical procedures, ranging from elective operations to emergency surgeries for trauma patients. A CRNA’s work begins before the operation starts. They must review every detail of the patient’s medical history, asking questions such as whether the patient has ever had an adverse reaction to anesthesia.

CRNAs must assess the patient’s risk factors, which can include medical conditions like asthma and lifestyle issues like smoking. They must also ensure the patient is fully informed of the potential risks of anesthesia and has given informed consent.

After the pre-operative matters are taken care of, a CRNA’s duties include the following:

• Administration of medications
• Management of the patient’s airway
• Vital signs monitoring
• Post-surgical recovery monitoring
• Post-surgical pain control management

If complications occur during or after surgery, the CRNA must manage them, preserving the patient’s life and health.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Anesthetist?

There is no universal pathway for becoming a nurse anesthetist, so individual timelines can vary. On the low end of the timeline, it might take eight to 10 years to become a CRNA. On the high end, it might take as long as 16 years. For many students, it’s possible to fast-track the pathway toward this career by enrolling in Concordia’s 15-month ABSN program instead of a traditional four-year BSN program.

Steps to Become a CRNA

The process of how to become a nurse anesthetist starts with earning a BSN. Choosing a nursing school that’s right for you is essential, as it lays the foundation for your entire nursing career and continuing nursing education. At Concordia, we focus on academic quality, and our commitment to graduating competent nurses is reflected in our 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate.

1. Apply to a BSN Program

You may be eligible to apply to Concordia’s ABSN program if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 non-nursing credits. You may also need to complete prerequisite classes to establish a foundation for nursing education. In addition, you’ll need to meet the GPA and prerequisite unit grade requirements.

Concordia considers applicants who have completed at least 100 hours of qualifying patient care experiences in roles such as medical assistant, home health aide, emergency medical technician (EMT), and others. After submitting your application, you may receive an invitation to schedule an admissions interview.

When you contact Concordia’s ABSN program, you’ll be assigned to a specialized admissions counselor who will walk you through each step of the process

2. Earn a BSN

The next step for how to become a nurse anesthetist is completing your undergraduate nursing degree. Concordia’s ABSN curriculum provides a broad and intensive exploration of nursing concepts and skills. It includes topics in pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, health assessments, behavioral health nursing, and more.

You’ll work through three main learning components:

• Online or in-person coursework that teaches nursing concepts
• In-person nursing skills and simulation labs that teach hands-on nursing skills and how to handle various patient care scenarios
• In-person clinical rotations at nearby healthcare facilities that provide immersive experiences

3. Obtain an RN License

After graduating with your BSN, you’ll need to apply for an authorization to test (ATT) from the state’s Board of Nursing (BON). This will allow you to schedule your NCLEX-RN test date. It’s important to take the test in the state in which you plan to work. Once you pass the test, you’ll receive your state-issued registered nurse license.

4. Gain Relevant Clinical Experience

You’ll then need to gain clinical experience in a specialty that is relevant to your intended career path. Some specialties that could be relevant for future CRNAs include intensive care unit (ICU) nursing, critical care nursing, surgical nursing, and emergency room (ER) nursing. You should plan on gaining at least one full year of clinical experience, although you may wish to work for several years before proceeding with the next step.

5. Pursue an MSN

A future nurse anesthetist may need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). If you’d like to bypass this step, spend some time researching doctorate-level nursing education programs intended for CRNAs. Some of these programs require applicants to hold an MSN, while others do not.

If you decide to pursue an MSN, be sure to choose an accredited school. Look for a concentration in nurse anesthesia. A master’s degree might take two to four years to complete, depending on your scheduling preferences.

6. Earn a DNP or DNAP

The next step in the process of how to become a nurse anesthetist is to earn a doctorate. Future CRNAs can choose between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree. Either degree will take roughly three to five years to complete, depending on whether you attend school on a part-time or full-time basis.

7. Obtain Board Certification and an APRN License

After earning a doctorate, your next step is to earn board certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). To become board certified, you’ll need to pass the board exam. Then, you can obtain an APRN license from your state and begin practicing as a CRNA.

Start Your Journey Toward Becoming a CRNA Today

Concordia is here to support your progress toward becoming a CRNA by enabling you to earn a quality BSN in as few as 15 months. Nursing is both a philosophical and scientific approach to patient care, requiring socially responsible and culturally inclusive practices. Here, we graduate highly compassionate and competent nurses by teaching a rigorous nursing curriculum aligned with our Christian Lutheran values.

Our ABSN Learning Site in California is fully equipped with high-tech nursing education tools and staffed by nursing instructors who are committed to supporting your success. In addition, you can choose between online or in-person coursework.

Contact an admissions counselor today and take the first step.