WHAT IS A CRNA?

Certiļ¬ed Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who provide high quality anesthesia services. Nurse Anesthetists have been administering anesthesia to patients in the United States for over 150 years. The path to becoming a CRNA involves extensive education and training, as well as years of experience in intensive care nursing.

The credential CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) came into existence in 1956. CRNAs are anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 34 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) 2012 Practice Profile Survey. 

CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America, enabling healthcare facilities in these medically under-served areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management and trauma stabilization services. In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers in nearly 100 percent of the rural hospitals.


The History of Nurse Anesthesia

CRNA Safe