Career Description

Nurse anesthetists prepare and administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. CRNAs may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, physicians or dentists.

Academic Requirements

Nurse anesthetist degree programs generally require applicants to have a year or more experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. Nurse anesthetist programs require applicants to have maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average (GPA) in their nursing degree program. Of critical importance are minimum required GPAs in core nursing courses, chemistry and biology. Upon graduation from an accredited nurse anesthesia degree program, the candidate is eligible to take the exam for certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).