Nurse Anesthetist Programs

Here are some helpful questions to ask when considering nurse anesthetist programs:

• What are the standard tuition costs?
• What sort of financial aid assistance does the nursing school offer?
• Is the nursing school accredited?
• Does the school prepare you for national certification as a nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?
• What is the curriculum for the nurse anesthetist program? What other class requirements must you fulfill to graduate?
• What is the average class size?
• What is the experience level of faculty members?
• Does the school provide job placement services?

At the end of your nurse anesthetist program studies, you will receive a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN). Although the length of nurse anesthetist programs can vary from school to school, master's-level training as a nurse anesthetist generally takes 24 to 36 months to complete.

In your education program you can expect to to take courses in the following studies:

Also expect your program to include a clinical CRNA component in which you gain hands-on experience with anesthesia techniques and procedures for use in a range of different procedures.

Focus your school search on nurse anesthetist programs approved by the state in which you want to practice. If not, you will have just spent time and money on an education that precludes you from earning a license to practice.

Before you choose a nurse anesthetist program, be sure it is accredited by either of these agencies:

The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes these two institutes as the official accreditation organizations for nursing education programs.

^{Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010; American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), 2010}