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How to Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

To become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, it takes the average person 7-13 years from start to finish.

Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

If you want to make the application process as seamless as possible, I highly recommend that you read CRNA School Guide. It will walk you through the application process, give you tips on how to enhance your curriculum vitae, write an impressive personal statement, and money to get the most bang for your buck.

Whether you’re in the “gather information” phase, or you’re currently applying to CRNA schools, you’ll find plenty of ideas and resources.

(If you’re already a registered nurse, I recommend that you also read my comprehensive guide to CRNA School Requirements.)

Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

If you’re still on the fence about becoming a CRNA, this article will help you process the decision and determine if this is the right career path for you or not.

  1. 4-6 for the BSN.
    First, you need to become a registered nurse. If you get your ADN first (associate in nursing), you’ll spend a year or more taking prerequisite classes. It’s really important to ace these classes, as they could determine whether or not you get accepted into CRNA school. Once you’re done with prereqs, it’s 2 full years in the ADN program. THEN, you’ll spend 12-24 months completing your BSN (24 months if you do it part-time). Note that most nurses work full time while completing their RN to BSN degree. If you go straight into a BSN, most programs are 5 years from start to finish.
  2. Start applying to new graduate nursing jobs It’s important to find a hospital with a “New Grad” program, as it’s the easiest way to transition from nursing school to successful employment as an RN.
  3. Pass the NCLEX immediately after you graduate from your nursing program. You will be eligible to take it the day after your official graduation. 86.57% of test-takers pass it on their first attempt.
  4. 1-5 years nursing/ ICU experience
    Many hospitals don’t hire new nurses directly into the ICU. You may have to start on a medical/surgical floor for a year or so before you become an ICU nurse. Please note that during this time you are a paid nurse making a very decent income. If you already have your bachelor’s degree, you may begin applying to CRNA programs after 1 year of ICU experience. Keep in mind that getting accepted with so little experience is less likely but not impossible. Over the last 10 years, the trend is that schools are increasingly looking for more experience. Many programs require 2 years as a minimum now.
  5. While you’re working as a nurse, you’ll get your PALS, ACLS and requires that you’ve spent 1,750 hours of direct bedside care of acutely or critically ill patients in the last two years prior to taking the test. If your GPA is less than 3.4, I strongly advise you get your CCRN.
  6. If you don’t already have your bachelor’s degree, now is the time to get it. Many hospitals have a tuition reimbursement program and will pay for your bachelor’s degree. There are some great, reputable online BSN programs if you’re not near a major university.
  7. Take the GRE 6 months to a year before you begin applying. This will give you time to retake it, if necessary. GRE scores are good for 5 years. If you do poorly on this test (below a cumulative score of 300), consider applying to the roughly 30% of CRNA schools that do not require the GRE. It’s recommended that you spend at least 50 hours preparing for the GRE.
  8. Re-take any core science courses where your grade in the class is less than a B-, or if the classes are over 5-10 years old and the school requires that they be recent (most schools do not require the classes to be recent)
  9. OPTIONAL: Take Transition to Nurse Anesthesia (online class) as a refresher course. It offers a review for math, chemistry, physics, pharmacology, and often counts as a “recent chemistry course” for schools that have a 5-10 year limit on chemistry (check with the schools you are applying to in advance to be sure this class counts). Also, register early for the class as it fills up fast.
  10. Take the CCNA certification exam upon completion of your CRNA program. Once you pass this test, you will be a CRNA. There is an 89% pass rate on this exam. Those who don’t pass it the first time almost always pass it the second time.
  11. Get hired as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist! There is a huge demand it’s unlikely that will change in the next 20 years. It will be very easy to get a job, regardless of which school you graduate from. The average salary for CRNAs is now $167,950.

How to Prepare for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Program

A brief but complete list:

  • BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) If you don’t have a BSN, you’ll need an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) + a bachelor’s degree in a related science field.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (cumulative as well as specifically in all science courses) If you want to guarantee that you have the most competitive GPA (without spending all your time studying).
  • Several science and Physiology.
  • A current RN (Registered Nurse) license
  • PALS, ACLS, and BLS certifications (required certifications vary by school)
  • Minimum GRE scores of 300 (new test) 1000 (old test)
  • TOEFL score of 550 or better for international students

*Requirements vary by school – while this list represents the most common standards, programs sometimes differ from this list slightly. Check each school for their specific requirements.

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