The state of Connecticut is located in the heart of the East Coast and has a rich historical background. Connecticut has many options for CRNA schooling for those who live there or for those who may be interested in relocating to this bustling part of the country. Connecticut houses four different schools with CRNA programs each offering differing lengths and types of programs in different locations around the state.
While CRNAs all over the country are certified to perform similar duties, each state offers individual schooling and employment opportunities. If you are thinking about going to CRNA school in Connecticut or working as a CRNA there, this page will help you better understand the process you will need to go through to become certified, as well as what a career as a CRNA in Connecticut may look like.
Becoming a CRNA in Connecticut
The process of becoming a CRNA is not quick and easy, but the rewards of working as a CRNA are often seen by many as very well worth the time and effort. In order to become a CRNA, a registered nurse must first apply for and be accepted into a CRNA school or program. The educational requirements for getting into a CRNA program are extensive. These programs are demanding intellectually and physically as they train future CRNAs to live up to very high standards of safety and excellence. The different CRNA programs can vary in duration and type. They generally include required classroom work in various fields with an emphasis on their relation to anesthesia and also a certain amount of clinical hours performed in various different types of medical facilities. The specific schools and programs available in the state of Connecticut are listed below. Once you get into CRNA school and successfully complete your coursework and clinical work, you become eligible to take the National Certification Examination.
Once you pass your National Certification Examination, you will be eligible to join the ranks of Connecticut’s practicing CRNAs. According to the Connecticut Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA), there are currently over 450 CRNAs employed in the state of Connecticut. They practice in Hospitals, Outpatient Centers, and Medical Clinics.
What does a CRNA in Connecticut do and what is an average CRNA salary?
CRNAs in Connecticut work with a physician or anesthesiologist to provide anesthesia care to all types of patients. They can provide general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and local anesthesia. A CRNA will often stay with one patient for their entire procedure. According to Connecticut Association of Nurse Anesthetists, a CRNA in Connecticut is expected to work with a patient by “constantly monitoring every important function of [the] body and individually modifying the anesthetics to ensure maximum safety and comfort.” This is an extremely important task as patients and surgeons rely on safe and effective anesthesia in order to provide the best possible healthcare outcomes.
The mean annual wage for a CRNA working in the state of Connecticut is $186,500. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Connecticut offers the highest wage range for CRNAs and is on par with the wages offered by other states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Arizona.
According to CANA, Americans are facing a shortage of physicians by the year 2024. CRNAs can fill in that gap by providing excellent anesthesia services at a fraction of the cost of physicians. CANA also reports that the state of Connecticut ranks number 3 for most money spent per capita on healthcare in the nation. Patients and healthcare facilities alike are interested in ways to reduce cost and increase the availability and efficacy of healthcare. CRNAs are perfectly situated to help alleviate this problem. In fact, according to a RAND report, allowing APRNs to practice to the “fullest extent of their education” could result in a nationwide savings of $4.2-$8.4 billion dollars by the year 2024.
Listing of Schools offering CRNA programs in Connecticut
Fairfield University and Bridgeport Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program
267 Grant Street Perry 3
Bridgeport, CT 06610-2870
- Degree Offered: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Average Program Length: 36 months
- Starting Month: January
- Number of Clinical Sites: 3
Nurse Anesthesia Program of Hartford
99 East River Drive, 5th Floor
East Hartford, CT 06108
- Degree Offered: Master of Science in Biological Sciences: Anesthesia
- Average Program Length: 29 months
- Starting Month: January
- Number of Clinical Sites: 2
Quinnipiac University Nurse Anesthesia Program
275 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
- Degree Offered: Doctor of Nursing Practice (Completion and Entry Level)
- Average Program Length: 24 months for completion and 36 months for Entry Level
Yale New Haven Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia
1450 Chapel Street, Main 227
New Haven, CT 06511
- Degree Offered: Master of Science in Biology/Anesthesia
- Average Program Length: 29 months
- Starting Month: January
- Number of Clinical Sites: 6