Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) require an RN, a bachelor's degree and a graduate program in nurse anesthesia. Nurse anesthetists also need to pass a national certification exam before being licensed to practice. Read on to learn how to become a nurse anesthetist.

Nurse anesthetists administer approximately 65% of the anesthesia provided to patients in the United States annually.http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/crna.php They work under the supervision of a staff anesthesiologist, but generally work independently, conducting assessments with patients before surgery, administering anesthesia and monitoring the patient during surgery and recovery. In order to become a nurse anesthetist, you'll need to become an RN, have a bachelor's degree, work as a nurse for at least a year, graduate from a master's program in nurse anesthesia, and become certified.

• While you can become a registered nurse with an Associate's degree, you'll need to have a bachelor's degree in order to be accepted to a nurse anesthesia master's degree program. So you have three possible educational paths before entering the nurse anesthesia professional degree program.

1. Become an RN with an Associates' degree, and the continue on for a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), or complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) in an another "appropriate" major. Keep in mind that such "appropriate" majors may vary between programs, so you may want to check with the school that you are planning on applying to before pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in another major to avoid disappointment.http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/crna.php
2. Receive your RN through a BSN program. If you plan to continue with your nursing studies, and pursue more advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctoral Degree in Nursing, a BSN program provides an excellent foundation for further education in nursing.http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/bachelor-degrees-nursing
3. Attend college, graduating with a BS or BA, then receive your RN through a Master's program.

In order to become one of the 28,000 practicing nurse anesthetists in the United States, you need to complete an accredited master's degree program in nurse anesthesia. The program, which generally takes 24-36 months to complete, includes course work in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics and pharmacology. It also includes clinical work in various anesthesia techniques and procedures.http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/crna.php

Most programs require you to have at least one year's experience in acute care nursing before entering the program. What constitutes "acute care nursing" is defined by the specific program to which you are applying and may vary between schools.http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/crna.php

After completing the master's program, you need to pass a national certifying exam, which will confer the designation of CRNA- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. As a CRNA, you will be entitled to practice anywhere in the United States. Because of the high level of knowledge and responsibility that comes with being a CRNA, these specialists are among the most highly paid of nursing professionals. According to 2008 statistics provided by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the average salary for a CRNA was over $168,000.http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/crna.php

When you have completed a bachelor's degree, earned an RN certificate, worked as a nurse for a year, obtained your master's degree in nurse anesthesia, passed your certification exams and become licensed to practice, you can begin working with surgical teams delivering anesthesia.