How to Become a CRNA in New York

A certified registered nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse specialist who is responsible for administrating anesthesia for surgery and other medical procedures. They are expected to complete physical assessments of each patient alongside ensuring proper anesthesia recovery. A CRNA may work in a variety of environments, such as hospital operating rooms, outpatient centers, critical care floors, plastic surgeons’ offices, intensive care floors, podiatrist’s office, management, delivery and labor units, and pain management clinics. The work hours can be flexible with daytime, as well as nighttime shifts. Although this job may be emotionally demanding, and stressful, it is very rewarding. The average Certified Nurse Anesthetist salary in New York is $220,249. So how do you become a CRNA in New York?

The first step to becoming a CRNA is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). There are about two years of prerequisites before one is able to apply to a bachelor’s level nursing program. Some of the BSN program’s coursework includes topics such as human anatomy, biology, pharmacology, health assessment fundamentals, etc. A student should also complete clinical rotations in major health departments like mental health, surgery or pediatrics. In order to get accepted into a good nurse anesthetist program and become a CRNA in New York, it important to maintain your GPA at 3.0 or higher.

After earning a diploma, or the appropriate associate’s degree, a nurse must pass the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses. In this case, a nurse must be licensed to practice in the state of New York.

Furthermore, before applying to a nurse anesthetist program, gaining at least one year of nursing experience is crucial. A registered nurse can gain experience by working in a cardiac care, intensive care, or surgical intensive care unit. Many programs require specific experiences from nurses to ensure they are knowledgeable in critical care. It is suggested that shadowing a nurse anesthetist will also be able to establish a genuine interest in the field.

A master’s degree program generally requires a minimum of 27 months of full-time attendance. During the program, they learn how to operate anesthesia equipment and the situations it is used in. Coursework topics include anesthesia pharmacology, anesthesia biochemistry, pain management, geriatric anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, and anesthesia pathophysiology. Students also complete supervised clinical experiences involving a variety of anesthesia situations.

To gain credentials, it is essential to pass an examination given by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Once the exam is passed and the credentials are obtained, you are able to officially become a CRNA in New York and can start applying to jobs across the state. As a CRNA, there’s also have an option to specialize in areas such as cardiovascular, pediatric, plastic surgery, dental, obstetrics, and neurological services.