Thinking about bringing on a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to your hospital, practice, company or other facility? Great idea, you’ve come to the right place!
What is a CRNA?
CRNAs are accomplished medical professionals who work alongside their anesthesiologist colleagues.
A CRNA has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and has a registered nurse licensure in the U.S. Also, CNRA’s have at least once year of critical care experience and have completed a nurse anesthesia education program and the nation certification examination.
The job outlook for CRNAs is positive, as CRNA employment is projected to grow 38% from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth rate is significantly higher than all other occupations across the nation.
How Do CRNAs Differ from Anesthesiologists?
The educational requirements for a CRNA is different in comparison to anesthesiologists. In some states, CNRAs must practice under physician supervision. As of 2001, states were given the option to opt out of that particular law, and 27 states have done so.
Can a CRNA Provide Any Type of Anesthesia?
Yes! According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, CNRAs safely administer 50 million anesthetics to patients in the U.S. each year. The types of anesthesia CNRAs can administer includes general and regional anesthesia, sedation, and pain management.
Can a CRNA Provide Anesthesia for Any Patient?
Absolutely! CNRAs can provide anesthesia for patients of any age for any kind of procedure, in any setting.
Who Can a CRNA Collaborate With?
Anyone on your healthcare team! CNRAs frequently collaborate with other professionals on the patient’s healthcare team, including anesthesiologists, dentists, endoscopists, obstetricians, pain specialists, podiatrists, surgeons, and more!
Where Can a CRNA Practice?
Anywhere! CNRAs practice in any and all settings where anesthesia is delivered. From critical access hospitals, hospital obstetrical delivery rooms and surgical suites, ambulatory surgical centers, ketamine clinics, to various other physician practices, CRNAs are necessary in a variety of settings.
CNRAs represent more than 80% of the anesthesia providers in rural countries where facilities often rely solely on CRNAs for anesthesia care. In fact, 50% of rule hospitals in the U.S. employ a CRNA-only approach to obstetric care to save patients from long and arduous drives to other facilities when no physicians are available.