5 Steps You Need To Follow Before Becoming a CRNA
If you have ever undergone surgery at a hospital, you may have received treatment from a certified registered nurse anesthetist, or CRNA. CRNAs are advanced registered nurses who have been trained to prescribe pain medications and administer anesthesia. They are valued staff members in various settings, including dentist offices, outpatient surgical centers and operating rooms. They may work as the only anesthesia specialist during a procedure, or they may assist an anesthesiologist. CRNAs earn a decent salary, and thanks to the aging population, nurse anesthetists will remain in high demand.
Becoming a CRNA is ideal for those who are passionate about pain management but do not want to endure years of medical school and residencies. You should also consider a career as a CRNA if you like helping underserved communities. CRNAs are particularly valuable in rural areas where traditional anesthesiologists are not always available.
While a CRNA does not need as much formal education as a doctor does, some schooling and certifications are required. Here are the steps you need to take in order to become a register nurse anesthetist.
- Start With a Bachelor’s Degree
To become a registered nurse (RN), you only need to obtain an associate’s degree. However, CRNAs need to have a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN).
If you already are a registered nurse, you can simply complete an RN-to-BSN program. Many schools offer this track online, allowing you to complete your BSN in less than a year.
If you do not have a nursing degree but have a bachelor’s in a different field, you can enroll in accelerated BSN programs that take two or three years to complete. While some fear that going back to school is too expensive, student loans can limit your tuition costs. Since CRNAs can earn a decent living, you should not have trouble paying back these loans over time.
- Pass the RN Exam
A CRNA also needs to get licensed as an RN. This means passing the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs, also called the NCLEX-RN. The computer-adaptive test lasts six hours and tests your knowledge of the healthcare system, patient communications, and medical conditions. Depending on your state, you may also have to pass a background check before starting work as an RN.
- Gain Experience
Once you are licensed, you should mersin escort apply your nursing license in a critical care setting. You will need at least one to three years of full-time experience before you can apply for graduate-level programs.
- Pursue Advanced Degrees
In the past, a CRNA only had to complete a master’s of science in nursing (MSN). However, within the next few years, you will also need either a Doctorate of Nurse Practice (DNP) or a Doctorate of Nursing antalya escort Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). Anyone with an MSN can pursue a DNP, while a DNAP is designed specifically for CRNAs. Both programs can be completed online or in person, and they each last one to four years.
- Get Your CRNA Certification
Finally, you need to pass another exam to get your CRNA certification. The computerized test is offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. The NBCRNA website provides sample tests that you can use to prepare.
Even after you get certified as a registered nurse anesthetist, your work is not yet done. To maintain your certification, you will need to pass a detailed exam every eight years. You must also meet istanbul escort continuing education requirements.
The above steps should help you start a career as a certified nurse anesthetist. Once you become a CRNA, you can take pride in the fact that you are helping individuals who may not otherwise have access to quality medical care.
