Statistics from the UArizona and national CRNA programs
April 4, 2022
University of Arizona College of Nursing CRNA program
- In 2021 there were 313 applicants for 18 positions
- 44% of last year’s CRNA cohort identified as minorities
- 91% of last year’s CRNA graduates stayed in Arizona to work
- Students have an average of 3.5 years of intensive care nursing experience
- The program has an attrition rate of only 0.3%
According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
- CRNAs represent more than 80% of the anesthesia providers in rural counties
- Half of U.S. rural hospitals use a CRNA-only model for obstetric care
- CRNAs are qualified to make independent judgments regarding all aspects of anesthesia care based on their education, licensure and certification
- CRNAs are the only anesthesia professionals with critical care experience prior to beginning formal anesthesia education
- CRNAs have full practice authority in every branch of the U.S. military and are the primary providers of anesthesia care to military personnel on front lines, Navy ships and aircraft evacuation teams around the globe
- To date, 19 states and Guam have opted out of the federal physician supervision requirement for CRNAs, including Arizona
- More than 40% of nurse anesthetists are men, compared with less than 10% of nursing as a whole
- It takes a minimum of 7 to 8.5 years of higher education and experience to become a CRNA