A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia for medical procedures, surgery, and trauma stabilization. CRNAs have the option to specialize in types of medicine such as pediatric, plastic surgery, dental, neurological services, and cardiovascular. CRNAs are the highest-paid nurses in the United States. As of 2022, the average CRNA salary is $195,610 per year.
They work in ambulances, operating rooms, surgical centers, the military, and in specialists’ offices. In rural areas, CRNAs are the main anesthesia providers, in place of anesthesiologists. Their role is critical in the medical field. Their jobs involve everything from pre-operative to post-operative responsibilities. This includes pre-anesthesia assessments, connecting invasive and noninvasive monitors, pain management, and post-anesthesia recovery.
Becoming a CRNA requires at least one year of being a critical care nurse. Additionally, CRNAs will need to complete a graduate program approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Education Programs. These programs span anywhere from two to three and a half years and are heavily on clinical experience. After 2022, the Master’s level will no longer be available for students entering programs, as the profession is shifting from a master’s level to a doctoral level. Those who apply to CRNA programs should expect a very competitive and highly selective process. Applications require several references, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a personal statement. Nursing experience and academic caliber are both scrutinized.
CRNA Accredited Programs
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Education Programs initiated its accreditation program for CNRA programs in 1952. The Council’s scope of accreditation includes institutions and programs of nurse anesthesia at the post-Master’s certificate, Master’s, or Doctoral degree levels in the U.S.
Below are the accredited programs by state.
- University of Arkansas
- Arkansas State University
- Samuel Merritt University
- California State University Fullerton
- Quinnipiac University
- Central Connecticut State University
- Yale New Haven Hospital
- University of Miami
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Barry University
- University International University
- Keiser University
- AdventHealth University
- Florida State University (Panama City)
- University of South Florida
- University of North Florida
- Emory University
- Augusta University
- Rush University
- Millikin University
- Southern Illinois University
- NorthShore University
- Rosalind Franklin University
- Northern Kentucky University
- Murray State University
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
- Louisiana State University (New Orleans)
- Northwestern State University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Maryland (Baltimore)
- Uniformed Services University
- Northeastern University
- Boston College
- University of Detroit Mercy
- Wayne State University
- Michigan State University
- University of Michigan – Flint
- Oakland University (Beaumont)
- University of Minnesota
- Mayo School of Health Sciences
- Minneapolis School of Anesthesia
- Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill School of Nurse Anesthesia
- Missouri State University
- Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barners-Jewish College
- Webster University
- Bryan College of Health Sciences
- Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Rutgers School of Nursing
- Albany Medical College
- State University of New York at Buffalo
- Hofstra-Northwell
- Duke University
- University of North Carolina- Greensboro
- East Carolina University
- Wake Forest School of Medicine
- University of Cincinnati
- Case Western Reserve University
- Lourdes University
- Otterbein University
- St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc.
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Oregon Health and Science University
- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania
- Gannon University
- Excela Health School of Anesthesia
- Drexel University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Allegheny School of Anesthesia
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Scranton
- Villanova University
- York College of Pennsylvania
- University of Puerto Rico
- University of South Carolina
- Lincoln Memorial University
- South College
- Union University
- University of Tennessee
- Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Texas Christian University
- Texas Wesleyan University
- Baylor College
- US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (Northeastern University)
- Charleston Area Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia
- Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia
- Marquette University
- University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh