How to Become a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Yes, the rumors are true: some nurses do makeWhile you're working as a LPN, you can study to get
more than doctors. In particular, certified nurseyour Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) and
anesthetists (CRNA) are known for taking homebecome a registered nurse (RN). This will help your
some pretty hefty paychecks.career in not one, but two ways. First, registered
By now you're probably asking yourself, self, what'snurses shoulder greater responsibility (and therefore
a CRNA and how do I become one? CRNAs are themake more money) than LPNs and LVNs. Second,
nurses in charge of administering anesthesia duringhaving a BSN and a year's worth of experience as a
surgery and other procedures. Because a patient's liferegistered nurse is required to become a CRNA.
literally rests in this nurse's hands, CRNAs do goStep 3: Become a CRNA
through extensive training. But that doesn't mean thisOnce you have your BSN and have practiced as an
career is unreachable; it's actually quite the contrary.RN for at least a year, you can choose to pursue a
Nursing career paths have built-in upward mobility,Master's in Nursing (MSN). The Master's in Nursing will
and you can complete the training to become aallow you to become an advanced practice nurse
CRNA while you're working.(APN), a field that includes nurse practitioners, clinical
Step 1:  Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives,
You can get jump-start a nursing career by enrollingand—you guessed it—certified nurse
in a state-approved nursing program and becoming aanesthetists.
licensed practical nurse (also known as licensedAn accredited nurse anesthesia program will provide
vocational nurse). These programs are typicallyan extensive education in anatomy, physiology,
offered by community and junior colleges and shouldpathophysiology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and
take about a year to complete. Once you completethe pharmacology related to anesthesia. During clinic,
the program, you'll need to take the National Councilyou'll learn the anesthesia techniques and procedures
Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to get your license.necessary for different types of surgery and
When you're done, you'll be ready to help registeredobstetrics. These programs generally take 24 to 36
nurses and doctors care for patients on a daily basismonths. Upon completion, you'll have a Master's in
in a wide variety of settings. (If you prefer to goNursing, and after you pass a national certification
right for your Bachelor's degree, you can skip Step 1exam, you'll be qualified to work as a CRNA.
entirely and go directly to Step 2.)To find out more about nursing degrees, programs,
Step 2: Earn your BSN and become an RNand schools, visit this nursing degree programs page.