Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Nursing and Nursing Support

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a registered nurse who has successfully completed a recognized program of study in anesthesia and has passed a national certification examination given by the Council on Certification/Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. 

CRNAs are authorized to determine and administer total anesthesia care in consultation and collaboration and with the consent of a licensed practitioner (physician or osteopathic physician). A request from the physician for anesthesia services by the CRNA is considered consent. CRNAs are specifically authorized to:

1. Provide preanesthesia evaluation including physiological studies to determine proper anesthetic management and obtaining informed consent;
2. Selection and application of appropriate monitoring devices;
3. Selection and administration of anesthetic techniques;
4. Evaluation and direction of proper postanesthesia management and dismissal from postanesthesia care; and
5. Evaluation and recording of postanesthesia course of patients.

The above identified duties include the provision of pain management services.

CRNAs may also be authorized to provide other duties that are normally considered medically delegated duties. Such duties shall be determined and under the joint responsibility of the governing board of the hospital, medical staff, and nurse anesthetist personnel of a licensed hospital, clinic, or office. All such duties, except in the case of an emergency, shall be in writing.

CRNAs are eligible for federal controlled substance registration and may prescribe controlled substances related to the determination and administration of total anesthesia care.