By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Buddy Wiltcher, EdD, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Interim Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Job growth projections and salary figures are drawn from Lightcast data and reflect national trends. Actual outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, industry, location, skills and economic conditions, and are not representative of Capella University graduate results.
What if your nursing career could take you deeper into the science of anesthesia while still keeping you close to patient care?
For nurses who enjoy making clinical decisions in fast-paced, high-acuity settings, a career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) can be a natural next step.
The path to becoming a CRNA typically involves building a foundation in nursing through a bachelor’s degree, gaining critical care experience, completing a nurse anesthesia education program and meeting certification and state licensure requirements.
Learn how to become a CRNA, step by step, through education, examination and licensure processes.
The job roles mentioned in this article are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse who plans, administers and monitors anesthesia for patients before, during and after procedures.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), CRNAs are one of four roles under the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) title, alongside certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.
APRN status positions CRNAs as advanced practitioners in nursing, setting them apart from general RNs.
Both roles center on patient care and involve close collaboration with other healthcare professionals, but entry into practice as a CRNA now requires a doctoral degree, and CRNAs earn national certification, which may support a broader scope of clinical decision-making.
| RN | CRNA | |
|---|---|---|
Education |
Nursing diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree |
Doctorate, entered directly from a bachelor’s degree |
Licensure |
RN license after passing the NCLEX-RN |
RN license plus APRN licensure in your state |
Certification |
Optional specialty certifications, such as the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) credential |
National Certification Examination (NCE), maintained through the NBCRNA’s Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) program |
Core focus |
Direct patient care, assessment and care coordination |
Planning, administering and monitoring anesthesia before, during and after procedures |
CRNA duties can include, but are not limited to:
Much of this work can take place in the operating room, though CRNAs also provide anesthesia care during other procedures. Common work settings include hospitals, surgical centers, medical groups that provide anesthesia services, rural and critical access facilities and other healthcare organizations.
CRNAs can earn significantly more than RNs. Per Lightcast data, registered nurses in the U.S. earned a median annual salary of $97,552 in 2025. By comparison, nurse anesthetists earned a median annual salary of $236,600 in 2025.
Becoming a CRNA typically follows five stages, from your first nursing degree to state licensure as an APRN. Each stage builds on the previous one and can bring you closer to a specialized advanced practice role in healthcare.
These steps are based on the requirements to practice as a CRNA in the U.S. outlined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and the resources from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA).
A bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related science is a typical starting point for becoming a CRNA, since that is what nurse anesthesia programs require for entry.
BSN coursework typically covers health assessment, pharmacology, evidence-based practice and patient safety, which can help you build the clinical judgment to rely on in critical care and across other healthcare settings.
Your route into a bachelor’s in nursing depends on where you are today.
When choosing a program, check whether it’s accredited by an accrediting body such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education that helps uphold the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.
In practice, that means the program has undergone an external review against CCNE’s published standards. Some programs ask applicants to hold a nursing degree from an accredited program. Therefore, checking both your BSN program’s accreditation and the CRNA program admission requirements can help you avoid surprises when it’s time to apply.
You can compare accreditation alongside other factors in what to look for before choosing an accredited nursing program.
If you’re new to nursing, this step comes right after your BSN. Working RNs have already completed it and can move on to step 3.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the national exam that measures the competencies needed for safe, effective nursing practice.
According to the 2026 NCLEX-RN test plan, the exam covers four client needs categories: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity and physiological integrity. It also uses case studies to test your clinical judgment.
After you pass, you can pursue RN licensure through your state’s board of nursing, which sets its own application requirements.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure or certification. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure, so make sure you understand the requirements in the state you intend to practice.
Once you’re licensed, you are expected to get critical care experience before applying for a nurse anesthesia program. According to the COA, programs require a minimum of one to two years of full-time nursing experience in a critical care setting, although some programs may require more.
COA describes critical care areas as settings where nurses routinely manage invasive hemodynamic monitors, mechanical ventilation and vasoactive infusions, such as surgical, cardiothoracic, medical or pediatric intensive care units (ICUs).
This matters because anesthesia practice can draw on the same skills you strengthen in the ICU: patient assessment, hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacology and emergency response. ICU work can also help you learn to coordinate with physicians, respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals during emergencies.
Additionally, some nurses earn the CCRN certification as they prepare for competitive programs.
“Shadow CRNAs. You’ll see if it’s really for you, and you might walk away with a solid reference. Also, step up as a leader. Precept, grab charge shifts, jump on a unit council or quality improvement project and show up for codes and rapid responses.” – Buddy Wiltcher, EdD, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Interim Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
To practice as a CRNA, you’ll need to complete a nurse anesthesia program that meets the requirements of the state licensure board in your home state. Such requirements may include that the program be accredited by the COA, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the official accrediting agency for nurse anesthesia educational programs. According to the COA, all U.S. nurse anesthesia educational programs are at the doctoral degree level and require a bachelor’s degree for entry.
That pairing can look odd at first, but graduate degrees do not always stack. In nurse anesthesia, as in medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and dentistry, the doctorate is the first graduate degree rather than a step that follows a master’s. You apply directly from your BSN, so an MSN isn’t required.
Your BSN, along with your RN license and critical care experience, may meet the baseline educational requirement for entry.
Admission can be competitive, so compare programs early, looking at each one’s clinical sites, facilities and admission prerequisites.
These programs generally combine classroom study with simulation and extensive clinical education. The curriculum spans anesthesia and perioperative medicine, and while programs vary, students can learn:
After you meet your state licensing board’s examination requirements, you can apply for the National Certification Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). The NCE is a computerized test that measures your knowledge and skills needed for nurse anesthesia practice.
Once you pass and earn the CRNA credential, complete APRN licensure according to your state’s requirements. Depending on the healthcare facility, you may also go through a credentialing process to receive medical staff privileges before you provide anesthesia care. Keep in mind that the NBCRNA requires ongoing certification maintenance through the MAC program, on a four-year cycle.
Licensure requirements vary by state. Prospective students should review state-specific professional licensure requirements before enrolling. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure or certification.
The choices you make in critical care can help strengthen your CRNA application. Here are some tips to consider.
For nurses drawn to advanced practice and high-acuity patient care, becoming a CRNA can be a rewarding career path.
The journey typically starts with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with Capella offering two online undergraduate nursing programs. Taught by experienced nursing professionals, these programs include a career-focused curriculum and practical experiences designed to help you learn the fundamentals of patient care before you pursue the critical care experience, CRNA-specific education and licensure required to work as a nurse anesthetist.
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