Who are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)?
CRNA’s are anesthesia specialists who administer anesthetics for surgical, obstetrical and other operative or pain management procedures. Prior to being “certified” as a registered nurse anesthetist, a CRNA must: Complete a baccalaureate registered nursing education. Gain significant experience in critical care nursing. Complete a 2-3 year anesthesia clinical residency. Successfully complete the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ certification exam. Rural Communities CRNA’s provide over 80% of the anesthesia in Oregon’s rural communities. This includes the coast, central and eastern Oregon, as well as many of the small rural hospitals in the Willamette Valley. The rural Oregon CRNA frequently serves alone in his or her community as the anesthesia and resuscitation expert. Metropolitan Communities CRNA’s practice in a variety of arrangements in the metropolitan area. In hospitals they may practice independently, or they may practice in a CRNA/Anesthesiologist collaborative mann
