What Is It REALLY Like Being a Nurse Anesthetist? (2024)

FAQs

What Is It REALLY Like Being a Nurse Anesthetist? ›

You can have a crazy schedule.

CRNAs are trained to maintain vigilance while providing anesthesia so they can recognize and immediately respond to any change in patient condition. CRNAs collaborate with surgeons, dentists, physicians and all other members of the health care team to make an individualized anesthesia plan for each patient.

Physically demanding work

Working as a CRNA can be physically demanding and tiring because nurses often work long shifts. Taking part in surgery may also require you to remain standing on your feet and moving about the operating room for several hours at a time.

Every day, nurse anesthetists monitor patients during surgery. This requires preparing and administering drugs before anesthesia, managing patients' airways, and pulmonary status during surgery and closely observing their physical reaction to drugs.

If you have a mind for science, have always excelled in critical thinking skills, and are somewhat of an introvert, you should be a CRNA. Everyone wants a career that's at least a little bit challenging, but you don't want to struggle through every day at work!

Becoming a nurse anesthetist can be quite challenging. CRNA programs are rigorous and difficult to get into. During your education, you also need to take advanced science courses, manage your time well, and complete significant internships.

The most common reason why CRNA School is too hard is academics. Most students who fail out after they get their second “B”. In one popular program, there is a certain class where your final grade is made up of two exams. Do poorly on either exam and you're put on probation.

You can take the NCE up to four times within one year following the completion date of your nurse anesthesia educational program. If you do not pass within that first year, you will only have up to four more times within one more year to take and pass the NCE.

Advice for parents considering CRNA school

The biggest advice I have for other parents is to make sure they have a support system nearby they can rely on to help out. Anesthesia school doesn't make time for kids, so you have to be very strategic with how you balance all of your daily tasks.

What are the pros and cons of being a nurse anesthetist? ›

The pros of being a nurse anesthetist are competitive benefits and stability, while the cons include extensive education requirements and the potential for liability.

The average CRNA salary is so high because the position requires very advanced knowledge and skills. While many nursing positions only require that you have a Bachelor's degree, or even an Associate's degree, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists need at least their Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

For accepted applicants, 3.6 is about average.

If your GPA is lower than 3.5, you really should consider taking a graduate-level science course to show the program that you can handle a rigorous curriculum.

What is a normal shift for a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)? A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) typically works two 24-hour long shifts per week. There are some settings which a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) may work 8 or 12-hour shifts, but 24-hour shifts are also common.

Highlights: Crna School Acceptance Rate Statistics

The average Nurse Anesthetist student at Goldfarb School of Nursing has a 3.7 GPA, increasing their chances of being accepted. Duke University's CRNA School had an acceptance rate of merely 1.9% for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are among the most trained and highest-earning nurses. They provide essential care for patients during surgery and procedures. Becoming a CRNA takes years of education and professional experience, but this career is worth the effort in terms of salary and job security.

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) typically works two 24-hour long shifts per week. There are some settings which a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) may work 8 or 12-hour shifts, but 24-hour shifts are also common.

You should be patient, compassionate, accurate, and responsible... willing to work diligently and meticulously until the patients are taken care of. A CRNA needs to be self-motivated and willing to continue their education after graduation to keep pace with changes in the field of anesthesia."