what is a crna in nursing

A CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) is a registered nurse who has specialized training in anesthesia. They are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who administer anesthesia and other medications, and take care of and monitor people who receive or are recovering from anesthesia. CRNAs can work alone or with a team of healthcare providers, and they have specific responsibilities, which include pre-anesthetic preparation and evaluation, anesthesia induction, maintenance and emergence, post-anesthesia care, and perianesthetic and clinical support functions. They can work in several different medical settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and the U.S. armed forces. To become a CRNA, advanced education and training are required, which includes a 4-year undergraduate degree in nursing or another field, a current license as a registered nurse, and a doctorate program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). After acquiring the necessary experience in an acute care setting, students will enter a doctorate program, which can be from 28 – 36 months long. CRNAs have similar responsibilities as anesthesiologists, such as prescribing medicine and ordering diagnostic tests. However, an anesthesiologist has a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, whereas a CRNA is a registered nurse who has a doctoral-level degree and has passed the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists.