What is a Nurse Anesthetist?

CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) are

anesthesia professionals who safely administer
approximately 30 million anesthetics to patients each
year in the US

CRNAs take care of patients' needs before, during, and

after surgery to ensure their comfort and safety.

More than 300 CRNAs are licensed to practiced in North

Dakota.

WWW.NDANA.ORG
Where Do CRNAs Practice?

CRNAs provide care to patients in all 50 states and in

military settings.

CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is

delivered:

traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical

delivery rooms;
critical access hospitals;
ambulatory surgical centers;
the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists,
plastic surgeons, pain management specialists.

WWW.NDANA.ORG
CRNAs in Rural America

CRNAs are the primary anesthesia providers in rural

America.

Nearly 1500 rural hospitals in the US rely solely on

CRNAs for their anesthesia care

The National Rural Health Association has long

recognized CRNAs as a crucial component of the rural
healthcare system.

WWW.NDANA.ORG
What Does a CRNA Do?

Examine patients' medical histories to ensure a safe

and proper pain management plan

Discuss potential side effects of anesthesia with

patients

Monitor vital signs during medical procedures

Awaken patients after their operation and monitor them

en route to recovery

WWW.NDANA.ORG
Patient Safety

Anesthesia care is nearly 50 times safer than it was in the

1980s.

Recent studies have shown that anesthesia care is equally

safe whether it is provided by a CRNA working alone, an
anesthesiologist, or by a CRNA under anesthesiologist
supervision.

Nurse anesthetists provide over 45 million anesthetics

each year.

WWW.NDANA.ORG
CRNA Cost Efficiency

CRNAs reduces expenses for patients and insurance

providers while providing high-quality anesthesia care

CRNAs are qualified to administer ALL types of

anesthesia and provide holistic pain management to
serve each patients' needs

CRNAs are 85% more affordable to educate than

anesthesiologists (MDAs)

WWW.NDANA.ORG
CRNA Training & Education

CRNAs are required to complete 8,636 clinical hours of

practice before becoming certified.

Nurse Anesthetists must pass a national certification

exam and re-certify every four years with professional
development and continuing education requirements

It takes 7 - 8.5 years of total education and training to

become a licensed CRNA and a commitment to
continued training throughout one's career.

WWW.NDANA.ORG