What Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Do
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who specialize in providing anesthesia and related care before and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. They also provide pain management and emergency services. CRNAs develop individualized anesthetic care plans for each patient using a full range of anesthetic techniques, drugs, and technology. They also participate in preoperative patient education and assess and observe patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
CRNAs often serve in administrative roles in anesthesia departments and their duties may include personnel and resource management, financial management, quality assurance, and risk management. They also participate as instructors for continuing education programs and serve as advisors to institutions as well as state and federal agencies.
For more information, please go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.
Where Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Work?
CRNAs work with surgeons, obstetricians, dentists, podiatrists, and anesthesiologists and may work in hospitals, physician anesthesiologist groups, CRNA groups, or are self-employed.
How Much Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Earn?
In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for certified registered nurse anesthetists in the United States was $205,770. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, certified registered nurse anesthetists in New York earned a median annual salary of $235,040.
Supply and Demand
With an increasing number of surgeries in the U.S. and an aging population, the demand for CRNAs is expected to increase well into the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in the U.S. will increase by 40% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for certified registered nurse anesthetists in the state will increase by 20% between 2020 and 2030.
For more information on projections of certified registered nurse anesthetists by New York State labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.
New York Educational Requirements
Registered nurses interested in a career as a CRNA in New York must be licensed with a bachelor’s of science in nursing and have at least one year of acute care nursing experience before applying to a graduate school of nurse anesthesia.
Most CRNA graduate education programs are 24-36 months long with curriculum that includes classroom and clinical experience. The classroom curriculum emphasizes anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, and pharmacology as related to anesthesia. The major clinical component provides experience with a variety of anesthesia techniques and procedures for all types of surgery and obstetrics.
All nurse anesthesia education programs offer a master’s degree. Depending on the particular program, the degrees are in nursing, allied health, or biological and clinical sciences.
New York Licensure Requirements
In order to practice as a CRNA in New York, candidates must hold a valid New York registered nursing license, have completed an accredited CRNA education program, and pass a national certification examination. To maintain certification, at least 40 hours of continuing education are required every two years.
Financial Support
The AANA offers some funding and scholarship opportunities to CRNA students or CRNAs who are AANA members. For additional information, visit the AANA Foundation website.
Educational Programs in New York (subject to change)
| Albany Medical College Center for Nurse Anesthesiology 16 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208 (518) 262-4303 |
University at Buffalo – SUNY School of Nursing South Campus Buffalo, NY 14214-8013 (716) 829-2537 |
| Columbia University School of Nursing 560 W 168th St New York, NY 10032 (212) 305-5756 |
Additional Web Links
For more information on CRNAs, visit this fact sheet from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists at: http://www.aana.com/ceandeducation/becomeacrna/Pages/Nurse-Anesthetists-at-a-Glance.aspx
or the New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists website at: http://www.nysana.com/
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