What is a CRNA?-A Nurse Anesthetist, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), is a licensed professional nurse who provides the same anesthesia services as an anesthesiologist (MD).

What do CRNAs do?- Nurse Anesthetists stay with their patients for an entire surgicial procedure, constantly monitoring every important body function and individually modifying the anesthetic to ensure maximum safety and comfort. CRNAs administer approximately 65% of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the United States each year.

What are the Qualifications for  Entering a Nurse Anesthesia Program?- While individual programs may have additional requirements, the general entrance requirements for Nurse Anesthesia programs are the following:

• A BSN or another appropriate baccalaureate degree. (Each program determines "appropriate" degrees.)
• A license as a registered nurse (RN).
• A minimum of one year of acute care nursing experience. (Each program determines what constitutes "acute care" nursing.)

How Long Does it Takes to Become a CRNA?- To become a CRNA, one must have a four year degree in Nursing and graduate from an accredited school of anesthesia which takes 24 to 28 months, totaling in 6 years and 4 months of schooling.

What is the Average Salary of a CRNA? -Reflecting the level of responsibility they assume on a daily basis, CRNAs are some of the best-paid nursing specialists currently working. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the reported average annual salary in 2001 was approximately $196,000.