Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) school typically lasts about 3 years (36 to 39 months) of full-time study in an accredited nurse anesthesia program. These programs result in a doctoral degree, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), which is now required for entry into practice as of 2025
. More specifically:
- The programs generally take 36 months (3 years) full-time, combining didactic coursework, simulation, and clinical rotations/residencies
- Clinical anesthesia residency or rotations usually span about 21 months within the program
- Some programs are structured with intensive clinical experiences increasing over the years, culminating in advanced clinical responsibilities by the third year
In addition to the CRNA program itself, becoming a CRNA involves:
- Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (about 4 years).
- Gaining at least 1-3 years of experience working as a registered nurse (RN), typically in an intensive care unit (ICU), before entering CRNA school
In total, the pathway from starting nursing school to becoming a CRNA usually takes approximately 7 to 10 years, including undergraduate education, nursing experience, and CRNA school
. Summary:
Step| Typical Duration
---|---
BSN Degree| ~4 years
ICU RN Experience| 1-3 years (minimum ~2 years)
CRNA School (DNP/DNAP)| 36-39 months (3 years)
Thus, CRNA school itself is about three years of full-time study after you have the required nursing experience and degree.
