Anesthesia - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) that is certified to administer anesthesia to patients, as well as provide patient care before, during, and after surgery. CRNA jobs are expected to grow by 12% over the next decade — much faster than the average for all other occupations. That means an estimated additional 5,300 nurse anesthetist jobs will need to be filled.
If you're looking to pursue CRNA careers, you’ve come to the right place. Find your next CRNA job on IntelyCare today
CRNA Education and Skills
To become a CRNA, you’ll start by earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), passing the NCLEX-RN exam, and working one to three years in critical care to gain clinical experience. The next step is to earn a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or a DNAP (Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice) by completing an accredited CRNA program.
Finally, you must pass the national certification examination administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Most states also require you to hold an APRN license. (Note that a CRNA’s scope of practice and level of professional autonomy are determined by the state in which they practice.)
In total, it takes around 7 to 10 years to complete your training and begin working as a CRNA. Learn more details about how to become a nurse anesthetist.
CRNA Resume and Cover Letter
One way to impress employers hiring for certified registered nurse anesthetist jobs is with a strong resume and cover letter. Try aligning your skills with the ones you see mentioned in the job ad. For example, if you see “proficient in epidurals and spinal” written toward the top of a list of candidate requirements, be sure to include that same phrase in your nursing resume. Then elaborate on your experience in epidurals and spinal in your cover letter.
Not sure what else to put in your cover letter when you’re applying to CRNA jobs? Check out our cover letter templates for inspiration.
Interviewing for Nurse Anesthetist Jobs
No matter where you’re at in your career, it benefits you to review some common nursing interview questions and answers prior to meeting with a potential employer. To better demonstrate your skills and training, practice a few answers that include some stories from your career history.
Interviewing for nurse anesthetist jobs also gives you a chance to ask a hiring manager about aspects of a job and/or facility that are important to you. The answers you receive can help you decide whether or not a job might be a good fit.
Ways of Working
As a nurse anesthetist, you have options for how and where you’d like to work. Choose from full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem CRNA positions. Additionally, you can pursue work in physicians’ offices, general medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient care centers, or other settings.
Salary for a Nurse Anesthetist Job
The average salary for CRNA careers is $205,770 per year. Your salary can differ depending on your education level, years of professional experience, the state in which you practice, and the facility itself.
Demand can also help determine a CRNA salary. For example, Florida and Michigan are among the five states that employ the most CRNAs, but the average pay in both locations is lower than in North Dakota and California, which are among the five states that pay the most to CRNAs.
Get Your Next CRNA Job on IntelyCare
There are great CRNA jobs available right now. IntelyCare makes it easy to create a flexible schedule by letting you work when and where you want. Get started today.