A CRNA is an advanced practice nurse entitled to do a full scope of anesthesia services. We evaluate patients before surgery and assess their health status and anesthesia risk factors. We collaborate with surgeons or anesthesiologists to determine the best means of delivering anesthesia for invasive procedures. We also provide anesthesia for invasive radiology and office procedures like dentistry and plastic surgery. It's in how we're educated.
Anesthesiologists are physicians, and nurse anesthetists are nurses.
However, the residencies in anesthesia are very similar. Sometimes they're conducted out of the same school. You graduate with a master's degree. Again, you have another mandatory board certification. Nurses view people as entire entities, and we care for the entire patient.