Starting your career as a medical professional can be difficult and involves several important steps. Here is how to become a CRNA and start your journey today.
A CRNA or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is a medical professional who provides care related to anesthesia. This person works in all sorts of settings, most notably during surgeries where patients are put under. If you are curious about pursuing this path in medicine, here is how to become a CRNA.
Get To Know the Position
The first step to becoming a CRNA is to fully comprehend what a nurse anesthetist does. Within the field of medicine, there are dozens of roles that people can play. Doing your due diligence and researching what a CRNA is and does will help you not only find a career path but also find your particular passion in medicine.
Pursue the Right Education
To be a nurse anesthetist, you must have a master’s degree, typically a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). But to obtain this degree, you must first have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and be a registered nurse (RN). With these credentials and about a year or two of specialized experience, you will be able to obtain an MSN and be on your way to practicing as a CRNA.
Obtain Certification and Licensure
Once you’ve figured out the education piece of things, the next step is to obtain the certification to practice. Though at this point, you have already completed several degrees, you will still need to take the CRNA certification exam to receive national certification. This will allow you to approach the state board where you want to practice and receive the proper licensure. Despite each state having slightly varied requirements, your education, experience, and certification are the most important parts, no matter where you practice.
Find a Practice
The last step in the process is actually starting to work as a CRNA. This means applying to hospitals, local practices, and other medical offices that need CRNAs. If you have specialized in a certain course of study during your time at school, a fellowship, or in other experiences, you should look for vacancies that fit your expertise. One final thing to consider as you begin working is to find CRNA medical malpractice insurance so you will be protected at the start of your career and for many years to come.
Over time, you may need to re-certify and hone your specialization. However, the most important step is the former. Follow these simple stages for how to become a CRNA and start your journey into medicine today.