Introduction to Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for the Undergraduate Nurse

Abstract

With a growing number of undergraduate nursing students seeking out a higher education the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist has become a popular career. With this needed for more highly educated nursing professionals it was determined that 2025 all CRNA programs will have transitioned to a doctoral degree. With several different degrees available, confusion among undergraduate nursing students has increased. A short 30-minute presentation surrounding the role of the CRNA, the differences between the different degrees available and the Adventist University of Health Sciences application process was developed and presented to a class of 30 senior undergraduate nursing students. Results from the pre/post test administered to the class showed a significant increase in the students’ knowledge following the presentation. Thus the researchers concluded that the education of the undergraduate nursing student is a key aspect for furthering the CRNA profession by generating awareness and inspiring intrigue about the career and the need to gain a higher education.