How Many Years to Become a Nurse Anesthetist

Are you thinking of enrolling in an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program? Then you might be wondering how long it will take to complete CRNA school. CRNA programs vary in duration. A full-time Master’s Degree in nurse anesthesia will take two to three years to finish. A doctorate in nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) will need at least three years to complete. Pursuing a CRNA career may take some time, but it’s worth it. If you’re planning on making this your career specialty, then make sure to read the helpful details below. How Long is a CRNA Program? Traditional and online nurse anesthetist programs take two to three years to complete. These are the benchmarks, though, as your school program may take longer than others. The length of schooling depends on two factors. One is the program you decide to pursue (Masters or DNAP.) Another is whether you’ll pursue your studies on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time BSN to Masters: Two to Three Years A Master’s degree is one of the programs you can take to become a CRNA. As a full-time student, you can finish this degree in two to three years. If you’re only enrolled part-time, it will take you three to four years to complete your Master’s. Full-time Masters to DNAP Program: One to Two Years In 2025, all nurse anesthetists will be required to have a doctorate. So if you already have a Master’s degree, you can be one step ahead by taking a Master’s to DNAP program. You can finish this in one to two years if you’re enrolled on a full-time basis. As a part-timer, you will need more time - two to three years, to be exact. Full-time BSN to DNAP Program: Three to Four Years Many nurses prefer to take a DNAP in anticipation of the doctorate requirement for 2025. If you decide to take this road, you will need to devote at least three to four years of full-time studies. As a part-time student, it will take you four to eight years to get your DNAP degree. https://twitter.com/CRNASchoolHQ/status/1427882452941516804 How Can I Become a CRNA Fast? Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to becoming a CRNA. Students should follow these steps to get into an accredited nurse anesthesia program: 1. Obtain a BSN Degree A BSN is one of the main requirements for nurse anesthesia educational programs. If you are a licensed RN with an associate’s degree, you will need to take an RN to BSN degree. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can take an accelerated BSN program. 2. Get an RN License If you took the RN to BSN program, you may skip this step. BSN and accelerated program graduates, however, need to take the NCLEX-RN to get a license. It is a computerized exam that will gauge the knowledge you’ve earned from nursing school. Remember: you can’t become a CRNA if you are not a licensed RN. 3. Gain the Experience Needed for CRNA School Budding CRNAs need to have critical care experience. This should help prepare you for the complexities of nurse anesthesia practice. Although the minimum required is only one year, the average experience is 2.9 years. Some competitive programs may even need more. Which ICU Experience is Best for CRNA? Budding CRNAs should go for ICU or coronary care unit experience. Since not all ICU experiences are equal, it’s best to work in a unit where you’ll get experience in: Hemodynamic monitoringInvasive lines Vasoactive infusionsVentilator supportContinuous electrocardiogram monitoring 4. Apply to CRNA Accredited Schools In the US, you can apply to any of the 124 accredited Master’s programs. You also have the option to enroll in any of the 102 schools awarding a DNAP degree. What GPA Do CRNA Schools Look at? Requirements vary according to school, though most set a minimum GPA of 3.0. Given the competitive nature of such programs, you have better chances if you have a GPA of at least 3.5. How Do I Get Into CRNA With a Low GPA? Even if you don’t meet the threshold, you can still make your CRNA dreams come true. All you need to do is follow these tips for getting into nurse anesthesia school: Tell your story You may have valid reasons why your GPA doesn’t meet the school’s requirements. It will help to talk about the trials and tribulations you’ve faced en route to becoming an RN. This will show the school that you’re determined and resilient - qualities a CRNA should possess. Take graduate-level courses This is recommended if you finished your BSN more than five years ago. This will show that even if you have a low GPA, you’re trying to improve yourself. Get the best experience possible Schools will accept experience in any adult ICU setting. However, it pays to get the most comprehensive experience possible. If you work in a small-town ICU, it will help to transfer to a bigger hospital with more challenging cases. Work towards a good GRE grade Not all CRNA schools require a GRE, but some do. If you want to enter an institution that requires this, then you have to study well. You need to have a score of 300 or better to boost your chances of getting into a CRNA program. 5. Finish CRNA Schooling CRNA school helps prepare you for the challenging life ahead. To do so, you will need to finish several courses and clinical rotations. During the first year, you will need to study basic science subjects. You will have to complete pharmacology and anesthesiology courses as well. By the second year, you will be able to hone your skills through CRNA residency. As a student registered nurse anesthetist, you’ll get hands-on practice. Duties include preparing the OR and administering anesthesia (under a CRNA.) 6. Meet the Certification Requirements for CRNA Practice After you finish CRNA school, you can take the National Certification Exam. It is designed to test the knowledge and abilities expected of entry-level CRNAs. After taking the test, you may get a preliminary result at the test center. However, you will need the official test results to apply. You should receive this notification two to four weeks after your test. https://youtu.be/yVNRdIlVhig Conclusion The length of CRNA school depends on the program and the units you take. A full-time BSN to Master’s takes two to three years. A BSN to DNAP program takes longer at three to four years. If you already have a Master’s degree, you can complete your DNAP in three to four years. Whatever program you opt to take, the requirements for schooling remain the same. You need to have a BSN degree, an RN license, and relevant ICU experience to get into a CRNA school.