How do I become nurse anesthetist ?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

Updated:   Published  

Hello Nurse Beth,

I completed my Bsc and Msc nursing in India. I worked till 2013 later got married and settled in Waukegan Illinois. I passed NCLEX in the year 2021 Currently I am on h4 visa and have my EAD too I don't have any clinical experience because I was teaching in college of nursing. If I want to do my higher studies in Anesthesia nursing so could u please let me know what is the procedure?

Share this post

+ Add A Comment

3 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear How to Pursue Anesthesia Nursing,

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX and obtaining your EAD. As for pursuing higher studies in Anesthesia nursing in the United States, here are the general steps you can take:

Most CRNA programs require 2-3 years of critical care experience, so your first step may be to land a job in ICU.

Research Anesthesia nursing programs 

Look up the universities or colleges that offer Anesthesia nursing programs in the United States. You can check the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) websites for a list of accredited nursing programs.

Meet admission requirements 

Check the admission requirements for the Anesthesia nursing program you are interested in. Each university or college may have different admission requirements, but generally, they will require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, a current registered nurse (RN) license, and a minimum grade point average (GPA).

Complete the application process 

After meeting the admission requirements, complete the application process by submitting your application and supporting documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Some universities or colleges may also require you to complete an interview.

Apply for financial aid 

Anesthesia nursing programs can be costly, so explore financial aid options, such as scholarships, grants, and student loans, to help pay for your education.

Complete the Anesthesia nursing program 

The Anesthesia nursing program typically takes about 2-3 years to complete and includes both classroom and clinical training. You will learn how to administer anesthesia and manage patients during and after surgery.

Obtain certification 

After completing the Anesthesia nursing program; you will need to obtain certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

It's worth noting that there may be additional steps or requirements for international students, so it may be helpful to consult with the nursing program's admissions office or an immigration lawyer for guidance. Good luck!

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) is responsible for approval of Nurse Anesthesia programs.  They accredit nurse anesthesia programs that award master's or doctoral degrees;  the degree awarded will vary depending on the academic unit in which the program is housed.  See their Program list    or use the search engine with up to date  CRNA program info including compare feature.

Best wishes in this journey.

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
NRSKarenRN said:

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) is responsible for approval of Nurse Anesthesia programs.  They accredit nurse anesthesia programs that award master's or doctoral degrees;  the degree awarded will vary depending on the academic unit in which the program is housed.  See their Program list    or use the search engine with up to date  CRNA program info including compare feature.

Best wishes in this journey.

Thank you @NRSKarenRN !:)

+ Add a Comment