Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is a registered nurse who has completed an accredited nurse anesthesia training program. Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses (non-physician anesthetists) who specialize in providing anesthesia care in their nursing practice. CRNAs are often supervised by a physician anesthesiologist, similar to how a hospital nurse cares for you on the floor based upon direction from your surgeon or primary care provider.