In order to consider becoming a CRNA by attending a CRNA school or program, one must first be a licensed Registered Nurse. Completing the education and training necessary to become a registered nurse is not an easy task. Registered nurses work all around the country to care for patients and assist physicians. While being an RN is a great profession, for some people, it is only the starting point of their careers in healthcare. If you are already working as a Registered Nurse in the state of New York and you have considered how you could advance your career, you may have started looking into becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. CRNA Schools In New York have advanced training and are thus usually compensated at a higher rate than traditional RNs. CRNAs also have a tremendous degree of specialization as advanced practice nurses, giving them high levels of autonomy and responsibility within their field.
Working through the process of being an RN to becoming a CRNA requires several steps. This article will provide a brief outline of the steps you may need to take if you currently work as an RN in New York and want to start a career as a CRNA. In addition, it will give you a listing of the current CRNA schools in NY.
From RN to CRNA
If you already work as an RN, you are aware that in order to obtain most types of professional healthcare employment you will need to complete some form of education or training. The certification and education requirements in place for the healthcare system help to ensure that healthcare workers provide safe and consistent care to all patients. CRNAs provide very specialized anesthesia care to their patients and thus must receive very specialized training and education in order to perform their jobs well. The education process of a CRNA begins with application to a CRNA program. The general basic requirements for admission to a CRNA school are as follows:
- A BSN degree in Nursing or another similar field
- A current license as an RN
- At least one year of experience as an RN in a critical care environment
Once you have completed the above requirements you can begin looking into applying to CRNA schools or programs for which you may be qualified for admission. Each college has its own specific set of requirements for its nurse anesthesia program. Some colleges may have a lengthier list of requirements than the above and may require additional work experience, certifications, or submissions of letters of recommendation and writing samples. It is imperative to a successful application experience that you comply with the specific list of admission requirements provided by each college to which you apply. Tailoring your application to meet the requirements of each individual school will not guarantee admission, but it will certainly improve the likelihood of your application being taken into consideration as it will show that you take the admission process seriously.
Once you have applied to a CRNA school and been accepted for admission, you will then begin the rigorous work of the education and training process. Most CRNA programs last anywhere from 24-36 months (if you are a full-time student) and combine classroom and clinical training in order to teach the various aspects of administering anesthesia. Upon successful completion of a CRNA program, you will then be eligible to take the National Certification Examination. A passing grade on the NCE is required to become a practicing CRNA. The path to becoming a CRNA can be long and difficult, but it can lead to a successful and rewarding career as a CRNA in New York.
In the state of New York, the average annual CRNA salary in 2024 was $189,190 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
CRNA Schools in NY
Below is a listing of CRNA schools in NY which offer various CRNA degree programs.
Albany Medical College Nurse Anesthesiology Program
16 New Scotland Avenue,Suite 303
Albany, NY 12208
- Degree Offered: Doctor of Nursing Practice (Completion) or Master of Science (Entry Level)
- Average Program Length: DNP- 24 months, MSN- 28 months
- Start Month: MSN- August
- Number of Clinical Sites: 12
Columbia University Schools of Nursing Program in Nurse Anesthesia
617 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
- Degree Offered: Masters of Science (Completion and Entry Level), Post Master’s Certificate
- Average Program Length: MSN- 27 months, Post-Master’s- 24 months
- Start Month: MSN completion and Post-Master’s- September, MSN Entry Level- June
- Number of Clinical Sites: 33
SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn Nurse Anesthesia Program
450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 22
Brooklyn, NY 11203
- Degree Offered: Master of Science Nurse Anesthesia (Entry Level)
- Average Program Length: 27 months
- Start Month: Septembere
- Number of Clinical Sites: 12
University at Buffalo State University of New York Nurse Anesthetist Program
326 Wende Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214
- Degree Offered: Doctor of Nursing Practice (Entry Level)
- Average Program Length: 36 months
- Start Month: January
- Number of Clinical Sites: 14