Interested in becoming a CRNA? Learn about CRNA salary, CRNA school, nurse anesthetist certification, locum CRNA jobs and more!

<h2>CRNA Salary, CRNA School, CRNA Jobs and More</h2>
<p>
  Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) enjoy a career with unmatched
  freedom, nationwide job opportunities, outstanding compensation and excellent
  hours! Being a CRNA is exciting, challenging and rewarding. After all,
  <a
    href="https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/nurse-anesthetist"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >U.S. News &amp; World Report</a
  >
  ranked the nurse anesthetist career as #8 in Best Paying Jobs, #10 in Best
  Health Care Jobs, #12 in Best STEM Jobs, and #25 in 100 Best Jobs!
</p>

<p>In this how-to guide on being a CRNA, we’ll cover topics like:</p>

<ul>
<li>Demand for CRNAs</li>
<li>CRNA salary</li>
<li>CRNA school</li>
<li>CRNA licensing</li>
<li>Board certification</li>
<li>CRNA work settings</li>
<li>Locum tenens CRNAs</li>
<li>CRNA resources</li>
</ul>

<h2> What Is a CRNA vs. an Anesthesiologist?</h2>
<p>
  The difference between CRNAs and anesthesiologists is that CRNAs are nurses,
  and anesthesiologists are physicians. They both administer anesthesia, order
  diagnostic tests and prescribe medicine. In some states, CRNAs work under the
  supervision of a physician, while in others, they can practice
  independently.
</p>
<h2>Demand for CRNAs</h2>
<h3>Are CRNAs in high demand?</h3>
<p>
  Yes! CRNAs are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the
  profession to grow by 40% over the next decade (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >).
</p>

<h2>CRNA Salary</h2>
<h3>What is the average CRNA salary?</h3>
<p>
  In the U.S., the median CRNA salary is about $195,600 per year, with a median
  hourly wage of $94 as of 2022 (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >).
</p>
<h2>CRNA School</h2>
<h3>Is CRNA a Masters or Doctorate?</h3>
<p>
  In the past, CRNAs could practice with a master of science degree in nursing
  (MSN). However, as of 2025, all CRNAs entering the field must obtain a
  doctorate degree. That means those working on their education will now need to
  earn a doctor of nurse practice (DNP), doctor of nurse anesthesia practice
  (DNAP) or other appropriate doctorate degree (<a
    href="https://nurseanesthesiology.aana.com/the-doctorate-degree-do-i-need-it"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >AANA</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>How long does it take to become a CRNA?</h3>
<p>
  It takes 7-10 years to become a CRNA. To become a nurse anesthetist, you’ll
  need to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) followed by a doctor of
  nursing practice (DNP), doctor of nursing anesthesia practice (DNAP) or other
  approved doctorate degree.
</p>

<h3>What are the steps to becoming a nurse anesthetist</h3>
<p>
  There are various routes to becoming a nurse anesthetist. One of the most
  common paths is to:
</p>

<ul>
<li>
  Complete your bachelors of science in nursing
  (BSN) or equivalent
</li>
<li>
  Pass the
  <a
    href="https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.page"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >NCLEX-RN</a
  >
  exam to obtain your RN license
</li>
<li>
  Get your background check and meet state
  license requirements
</li>
<li>
  Complete 1-3 years of experience in critical
  care nursing required for your CRNA program
</li>
<li>
  Earn your doctor of nursing practice (DNP) or
  doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP)
</li>
<li>
  Pass the National Certification Exam (<a
    href="https://www.nbcrna.com/initial-certification/nbcrna-certification"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >NCE</a
  >) to earn your CRNA license
</li>
<li>
  Apply for CRNA licensure in your state of
  practice
</li>
<li>
  Keep up with ongoing education and
  recertification requirements during your career
</li>
<li>
  Some CRNAs choose to complete a fellowship and
  specialize in pain management or pediatrics
</li>
</ul>


<h2>CRNA Practice Settings</h2>
<h3>Where do CRNAs work?</h3>
<p>CRNAs work in most healthcare settings. There are positions for CRNAs in:</p>

<ul>
<li>Hospitals</li>
<li>Private practice</li>
<li>Surgery centers</li>
<li>Outpatient clinics</li>
<li>Government health</li>
<li>Academic institutions</li>
<li>Emergency departments</li>
<li>Delivery rooms</li>
<li>Pain clinics</li>
<li>Psychiatric institutions</li>
<li>Nursing facilities</li>
<li>Indian Health Services</li>
<li>Rural health</li>
<li>Corrections</li>
<li>Veterans Administration</li>
<li>Locum tenens and travel assignments</li>
</ul>

<h2>Locum CRNA Jobs</h2>
<h3>What is a locum CRNA?</h3>
<p>
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/crna?"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >Locum tenens CRNAs</a
  >
  fill in when other CRNAs are out on vacation or sick leave or temporarily when
  permanent positions become vacant. Some CRNAs choose to take locum tenens
  assignments on the side, while others make a full-time career of it.
</p>

<h3>What are the benefits of being a locum tenens
    CRNA?</h3>
<p>
  CRNAs who take locum tenens assignments enjoy the flexibility, freedom,
  compensation and quality of life the arrangement offers! If you decide to
  practice as a locum tenens CRNA, you can:
</p>

<ul>
<li>
  Choose from short- or long-term assignments
</li>
<li>
  Select from full-time or part-time
  opportunities
</li>
<li>
  Find assignments near home or in exciting
  locations across the nation
</li>
<li>
  Learn from other CRNAs and healthcare
  facilities and expand your network
</li>
<li>Bring along family members or even a pet</li>
<li>
  Enjoy perks like paid travel, housing and more
</li>
<li>
  Try out a practice and location before deciding
  to make a permanent commitment
</li>
<li>
  Avoid practice politics and the pressures of
  running a full-time practice
</li>
<li>
  Get to care for various patient populations
</li>
<li>Discover new areas of interest</li>
<li>
  Have a team of locum tenens experts on your
  side, advocating for you!
</li>
</ul>

<h2>CRNA Resources</h2>
<p>
  Here are helpful resources to aid your research on pursuing a career as a
  CRNA:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
  <a
    href="https://www.aana.com/"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology</a
  >
</li>
<li>
  <a
    href="https://diversitycrna.org/"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program</a
  >
</li>
<li>
  <a
    href="https://www.nbcrna.com/about-us/accreditation-and-recognition/affiliated-organizations"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse
    Anesthetists</a
  >
</li>
<li>
  <a
    href="https://www.aana.com/membership/students"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists</a
  >
</li>

</ul>

<h2>CRNA Jobs</h2>
<p>
  To discover where CRNAs are needed in<strong>
    beautiful locations nationwide, search our </strong
  ><a
    href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    ><strong>locum tenens CRNA jobs</strong></a
  ><strong> now!</strong>
</p>


How-to Guide for Becoming a CRNA