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In a survey of practice conducted among anesthesiologists and CRNAs in
1986 by the Center for Health Economics Research, it was found that CRNAs perform the
same range of anesthesia tasks and activities as anesthesiologists.
Today, the registered nurse's education as a nurse anesthetist requires
a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (or other appropriate baccalaureate degree); a minimum
of one year experience in critical care nursing; and completion of two to three years of
Master's level graduate work, including both classroom and clinical studies, on the
administration of anesthesia. The anesthesiologist's course of study requires a
baccalaureate degree, completion of medical school, and a four year residency in anesthesiology.
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The most substantive difference between CRNAs and anesthesiologists is that prior
to anesthesia education, anesthesiologists receive medical education while CRNAs receive
nursing education. However, the anesthesia part of the education is very similar for both
providers. They are both educated to use the same anesthesia process in the provision of
anesthesia and related services.
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