New Jersey is located in the center of the northeast and is known for its classic east coast character and proximity to some of the nation’s top urban locations. If you reside in New Jersey and have considered becoming a CRNA, this page is a great place to begin your research. It will provide information about some of the details you may be pondering including the application and admissions process for CRNA school, details about what a CRNA might do, and information about being a certified nurse anesthetist in the state of New Jersey.
Contents
Applying to CRNA School
Admission into many CRNA programs around the country can be a competitive process. Some schools have many qualified applicants vying for only a few spots. As a result, the application process may seem overwhelming. As a starting point, in order to be a qualified applicant to a CRNA school, an RN should be prepared to provide proof of the following:
- A relevant Bachelor’s degree
- A current nursing license
- Critical care experience
- Letters of Recommendation
- Completion of the GRE and/or a GPA of 3.0 or above in undergrad coursework
Some of these items (letters of recommendation, for example) may not be required by all CRNA programs to which you apply; however, if you are applying to more than one school, it may be a good idea to have them ready as the chances are at some point they may be requested. Of course, simply meeting all of these requirements for the application does not guarantee a spot in a CRNA program. Many schools conduct in-person interviews with potential applicants to their CRNA programs. This helps them get to know you on a more individual and personal level. The in-person interview can give you a chance to showcase your motivation and passion for becoming a CRNA, as well as explain in more detail the experiences, characteristics, and qualifications which you feel make you a good candidate for a CRNA program.
New Jersey CRNA Job Duties
At the most fundamental level, CRNAs are specially trained to provide temporary partial or total loss of sensation (anesthesia) to alleviate pain during surgery or medical procedures. The practice of anesthesia can take on many different forms including general anesthesia which produces loss of consciousness, pain, and memory, regional anesthesia which produces loss of sensation to a specific region of the body, and local anesthesia which numbs a small area of the body. CRNAs work in a variety of different settings to provide patients with safe and effective pain management and also monitor the patient before, during, and after their surgery or procedure.
Practicing as a CRNA in New Jersey
While all graduates of a CRNA program are required to take and pass the national certification exam in order to practice, individual states may also have some specific guidelines about what types of certifications a CRNA needs to obtain. The New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetists lists the state-specific requirements for practicing as a CRNA in New Jersey as follows:
- Graduation from an accredited nurse anesthesia program
- Recognition by the state as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
- Certification by a national certifying agency that is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties and/or the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
This list is specific to the state of New Jersey. It is important to review any certification regulations or requirements with any future potential employers. In addition to state requirements, individual hospitals or medical facilities may also impose specific requirements for certifications on any CRNAs who wish to work in their facility.
In addition to certification, employed CRNAs will likely need to obtain medical malpractice insurance. Malpractice insurance is liability insurance which is purchased by most healthcare professionals. It is designed to help protect you financially and cover the costs of any legal fees or expenses in the event that you may be sued for medical malpractice. Some medical facilities provide medical malpractice insurance for their employees as a group policy while others may require that you purchase your own individual malpractice insurance. As you embark on your career as a CRNA, it is important to speak with future employers regarding specific certifications and malpractice insurance requirements so that you will be fully prepared to begin your new job.
In an employment report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January of 2024, an average salary for a CRNA in New Jersey was $189,190.
CRNA Schools in New Jersey
Below is a listing of the schools which offer CRNA programs located in New Jersey.
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program
1600 Haddon Avenue Pavilion, 3rd Floor
Camden, NJ 08103
- Degree Types Offered: Master of Science in Nursing (Entry Level), Post-Master’s Certificate in Anesthesia (Entry Level)
- Average Program Length: 27 months
- Start Month: June
- Clinical Sites: 12
Rutgers Schools of Nursing Anesthesia Program
65 Bergen Street, Suite 1122
PO Box 1709
Newark, NJ 07101
- Degree Types Offered: Doctor of Nursing Practice (Entry Level)
- Average Program Length: 36 month full-time or 48 month extended program
- Start Month: January
- Clinical Sites: 14