CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetist) Career Profile in the U.S.
Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists, or CRNAs, are some of the most advanced and highest paid of all nurses. CRNAs administer anaesthesia during surgery, when an anaesthesiologist, a physician who specializes in the administration of anaesthesia and pain management, isn’t available to do so. CRNAs actually predate anaesthesiologists and are considered pioneers in the field of anaesthesiology, having come into existence during the Civil War when anaesthesia itself was new and just being utilized to ease pain for soldiers and surgical patients.
CRNAs often work as part of a team with anaesthesiologists. With fewer anaesthesiologists on staff these days, CRNAs enable more surgeries to be completed. Depending on state regulations and the bylaws of the employing facility, CRNAs may be supervised by an anaesthesiologist or work independently. Although CRNAs are very well paid compared to other nurses, it’s still far more cost-effective for hospitals to employ them instead of multiple anaesthesiologists. As a result, CRNAs enjoy excellent job stability and high demand for their services.
Work Environments
Most CRNAs are employed by hospital and work in a surgical environment, such as an operating room. CRNAs also may work in outpatient surgery centres and medical offices. CRNAs are responsible for administering over 65% of all anaesthetics to patients in the U.S. There are over 30,000 CRNAs practicing in the U.S., and just over half of them are men.
CRNA Job Responsibilities
CRNAs function much like anaesthesiologists. They’re responsible for pre- and post-operative care as it relates to the delivery of anaesthesia. A CRNA does a pre-op assessment of patients, administers the anaesthesia during the surgery, brings the patient back out of anaesthesia, and then follows up to ensure the patient’s recovery from the anaesthesia. During surgery, CRNAs monitor patients’ vital signs and adjust the level of anaesthesia accordingly, while coordinating with the surgical team.
Training and Education
CRNAs are one type of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). To become a CRNA, you must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or another applicable field.
- Be a licensed RN.
- Complete an accredited nurse anaesthesia educational program. Depending on the intensity of the program, this can take two to four years. There are about 113 accredited nurse anaesthesia programs in the U.S. Some programs require a minimum of one year of acute care experience, preferably in an intensive care unit or emergency room.
- Take and pass the national certification exam.
Salary
Compensation depends on the work setting and state where CRNAs are employed. In 2016, the average annual salary was $157,000. In Montana, the average salary was $242,140; in Arizona, it was $117,740.
Pros
The money is great and the job growth outlook is excellent. CRNAs can earn more than many primary care physicians, with a fraction of the education and training required. Employing CRNAs is very cost-effective for hospitals (anaesthesiologists earn two to three times or more than CRNAs), and demand for CRNAs is expected to increase at a rate of 31% between 2016 and 2026.
Cons
CRNAs have a great deal of responsibility, so the job can be stressful. And depending on the size of the anaesthesiology staff, the on-call schedule can affect your quality of life.
Article Sources
- American Associate of Nurse Anesthetist. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Fact Sheet.
- Nurse.org. Nurse Anesthetist.
- Nursejournal.org. Advanced practice nursing fact sheet.