What is a CRNA? Discover the vital role Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists play in delivering safe anesthesia care. Learn how they’re trained, where they work, and why they’re essential to modern medicine. Plus, find smarter ways to prepare for your own CRNA journey.

What Is a CRNA?

Every time anesthesia is used—for surgery, childbirth, trauma care, or pain management—a CRNA may be the one keeping patients safe. These Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are advanced practice providers trained to administer anesthesia and monitor patients throughout their procedures.

Whether in a major hospital, a rural clinic, or a military field hospital, CRNAs are on the front lines of patient safety.

What Does a CRNA Do?

CRNAs manage anesthesia with precision. But their role goes far beyond delivering medication. They’re also:

Patient advocates ensuring comfort and safety
Real-time decision-makers adjusting care based on vitals
Leaders in diverse care settings—from surgery to critical care
Highly trained professionals with over 8,500 clinical hours and national certification

If you’re preparing for this level of responsibility, using the right CRNA exam prep tools is essential. Ollivate’s CRNA study platform offers spaced repetition, board-style questions, and analytics to help you retain and apply what matters most.

A Legacy of Leadership

Nurse anesthetists have played a key role in anesthesia for over a century. Long before anesthesia became a medical specialty, nurses were already delivering it on battlefields, in operating rooms, and in remote communities.

Today, CRNAs continue to shape the future of patient-centered care—especially where access to anesthesia services is limited.

CRNAs by the Numbers

  • Over 60,000 CRNAs currently practice in the United States
  • They safely deliver 50+ million anesthetics every year
  • In many rural areas, CRNAs are the only anesthesia providers


Their presence ensures that patients receive expert care regardless of geography.

Becoming a CRNA: The Path to Mastery

The journey to becoming a CRNA is one of the most demanding in nursing—and one of the most impactful. It includes:

  • A graduate-level degree in nurse anesthesia
  • At least one year of ICU experience
  • Over 8,500 hours of clinical training
  • Passing the National Certification Exam (NCE)

With so much riding on your performance, choosing a trusted CRNA board review resource is key. Ollivate provides adaptive, high-retention study tools that help future CRNAs succeed—without burning out.

Smarter Ways to Study for the Nurse Anesthesia Exam

You don’t need to study longer—you need to study smarter. Ollivate is designed with CRNA students in mind:

  • Bite-sized sessions that fit into busy schedules
  • Gamified progress tracking that keeps motivation high
  • Free NCE questions and CRNA practice test formats to benchmark readiness
  • A modern, mobile-friendly CRNA education app that goes with you anywhere

If you’re looking for a gamified study app for CRNA prep, you’re in the right place.

FAQs About CRNAs

What’s the difference between a CRNA and an anesthesiologist?
CRNAs are advanced practice nurses. Anesthesiologists are physicians. Both provide anesthesia care, but CRNAs often work independently, especially in rural and underserved settings.

How long does it take to become a CRNA?
Typically 7–8 years: a BSN, 1–2 years ICU experience, and 2–3 years in a nurse anesthesia program, culminating in board certification.

Where do CRNAs work?
Hospitals, surgical centers, labor and delivery units, pain clinics, military medical units, and rural health facilities.


Ready to Start Your CRNA Journey?

Train Smarter with Ollivate.

âś… Master Critical Anesthesia Topics with spaced repetition, reinforcing key concepts at the right time.
âś… Stay Motivated with Gamified Learning, tracking progress, earning rewards, and climbing leaderboards.
âś… Learn More Efficiently with bite-sized, high-retention study sessions, designed to prevent burnout.

The best CRNAs don’t just study—they master. If you’re on this journey, don’t leave your success to chance.

Join hundreds of future CRNAs leveling up their study game! Download the Ollivate app or hop in on the web — start playing for FREE! 🤓

Want to stay in the loop on new study tools, board prep tips, and everything we’re building for the CRNA community?

Follow us on social for exclusive updates, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes content from our team:

Let’s grow, learn, and lead—together. 🤝🏻