C.R.N.A  stands for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.rA C.R.N.A. prepares prescribed solutions and administers anesthetic following specified methods and procedures. Informs physician of patient's condition during anesthesia. Performs pre- and post-anesthesia patient visits and documents anesthesia notes on patient records. Requires a Bachelor's degree in nursing, at least two years of experience in an acute care nursing setting, and a graduate degree in nurse anesthesia. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Typically reports to a manager and a certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. 
    <>The shortage of CRNAs in the marketplace spells job opportunities. With hospitals and other healthcare facilities scrutinizing their bottom lines, CRNAs offer an attractive option for providing anesthesia care. Also of interest is the fact that approximately eight nurse anesthetists can be educated for the cost of one anesthesiologist. As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs practice with a high degree of autonomy and professional respect. They carry a heavy load of responsibility and are compensated accordingly; the average annual income for a CRNA in 2000 was approximately $94,< style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">000 based on the AANA Membership Survey.