Nurse Anesthesia Career Path

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who provide high quality anesthesia services
• CRNAs have earned either a Master’s or Doctorate degree in nursing
• CRNAs receive extensive training and education in nursing and anesthesiology
• CRNAs have been practicing in the U.S. for over 150 years
• CRNAs safely administer more than 34 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States
• In some states, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers in rural hospitals.

Learn more here: The AANA represents Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)

• Administer and provide anesthesia to patients before, during, and after surgery
• Keep the patient safely unconscious and unaware of surgery
• Order and interpret pre-procedure tests
• Manage an anesthetic based on patient condition
• CRNAs monitor the patient throughout their procedure
• Constant monitoring of vitals signs and communication with surgeons and anesthesiologists
• Manage pain and keep patients safe and comfortable

• Hospital operating rooms
• Dental offices
• Podiatry offices
• Birthing centers
• Emergency rooms
• Plastic surgery centers
• Outpatient surgery centers
• CRNAs deliver > 80% of the anesthetics in rural America

Students interested in a career as a nurse anesthetist should complete these helpful preparatory classes.

1. Information about events and info sessions at the University of Minnesota school of nursing

• Events | School of Nursing (umn.edu)

2. Demonstrate leadership potential and engage in volunteering opportunities.

• Health Related Internships (HOSA)
• Volunteer at United Hospital (allinahealth.org)
• Volunteer at Abbott Northwestern Hospital (allinahealth.org)

3. College prep help at the University of Minnesota 

• Search UMN Twin Cities | Search UMN

Obtain a nursing degree and become a Registered Nurse (RN). You will need either a BSN or MSN entry level degree in nursing

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing | School of Nursing

2. Master’s entry-level nursing degree (MSN)

• Master of Nursing | School of Nursing

CRNA program requirements

Degree

You need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or entry-level Master of Nursing (MSN)

RN

You must first become a registered nurse and have a license to practice in your state

GPA

Competitive GPA (specific to individual program)

Critical care

2 years of high-acuity adult surgical critical care experience.

Certifications

ACL, PALS, BLS, CCRN

Shadow

Shadow a CRNA

Job Outlook

Overall employment of nurse anesthetists is projected to grow 40% from 2021 to 2031.

Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

There are over 59,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) practicing in the United States.

About Us | NBCRNA

Job Satisfaction

89% of CRNAs feel very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their work (AANA)

There is a need for increased diversity in the nurse anesthesia profession.
The University of Minnesota is a leader in this effort to increase diversity:

• Faculty dedicated to improving diversity and inclusivity formal mentoring program
• Nursing Diversity Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to minority and/or non-traditional students enrolled in the undergraduate nursing program for the purpose of encouraging diversification & promoting multicultural participation.

• Connect with the Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Committee (see survey below)
• Meet us at HOSA events
• Tell us how we can help
• We look forward to meeting you

Contact the UMN Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Committee here: Nurse Anesthesia career path