It is upon the request, assignment, or referral of a patient's physician (or other health care professional authorized by law) that anesthesia related care occurs. Anesthesia is used to facilitate diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedures performed by the patient's physician. In other instances, the request for anesthesia may be for the management of obstetrical labor and delivery pain, management of acute or chronic ventilatory problems, or the management of acute or chronic pain. The practice of CRNAs is overseen by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

In order to be a CRNA one must:

• Graduate from an approved school of nursing and hold current state licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

• Graduate from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program. There are more than 80 accredited programs nationwide which range from 24 to 36 months in length.

• Successfully complete the certification examination administered by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Council on Certification.

• Hold current Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RNA) authorization.

• Comply with criteria for biennial renewal with the Kansas State Board of Nursing and with the AANA Council on Re-certification of Nurse Anesthetists. These criteria include:

  1. appropriate continuing education,
  2. active practice as a CRNA,
  3. current licensure as a registered nurse, and
  4. verification of the absence of mental, physical, or other problems which could interfere with the practice of anesthesia.

• Hold Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner certification.

• Carry malpractice insurance and participate in the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.

CRNAs practice according to their expertise, state statutes or regulations, and institutional policy. CRNAs administer anesthesia and anesthesia related care in four general categories:

1. pre-anesthetic preparation and evaluation;
2. anesthesia induction,
3. maintenance, and emergence;
4. post-anesthesia care; and
5. support to clinical settings outside of the operating room (eg. obstetrics, intensive care, pain management).