Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are highly skilled advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in the field of anesthesiology and pain management. Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients in the United States for more than 150 years. As licensed independent practitioners, CRNAs undergo significant post-graduate education and training averaging 24-51 months in duration and resulting in a master’s or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia.