Anesthesia is a safe and effective method of alleviating pain during a surgical and/or medical procedure.  Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer spinal (in the spine), intravenous (in the vein), regional (in a certain region of the body), inhalation (type of anesthesia that is inhaled), and other types of anesthesia to patients during surgical procedures, childbirth, and special medical treatments.  They are responsible for patient care before, during and after procedures, monitoring every critical function of the patient’s body to ensure that blood pressure, pulse, respiration, pupils, and skin color are all normal.  They communicate these vital statistics to the physician during and after the procedure. 

Areas Of Specialization
A CRNA may sub-specialize in pediatrics, obstetrics, cardiovascular, plastic surgery, dental or neurosurgical anesthesia. Others also hold credentials in fields such as critical care nursing and respiratory care.

Work Environment
CRNAs provide anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists and other qualified healthcare professionals. They can work in a variety of settings where anesthesia is used, including hospitals, birthing centers, dental centers, plastic surgery centers, ambulatory surgical centers, health care educational institutions and military health care facilities. They may work independently or with an anesthesia group.