From RN to CRNA: Your Pathway to Advanced Practice in Ohio
For Registered Nurses (RNs) in Ohio seeking to deepen their impact in patient care and advance their careers, becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a rigorous yet rewarding journey. CRNAs are highly respected Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who specialize in anesthesia care across diverse clinical settings.
What does it take to become a CRNA?
Becoming a CRNA is a lengthy process that rewards persistence, dedication, ambition, and time management. In Ohio, this career path follows a well-defined but challenging progression that combines academic achievement, clinical expertise, and regulatory compliance.
Step 1: Earn Your BSN and Gain Critical Experience
Before pursuing CRNA training, you must first achieve the following:
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
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Current RN license, active and unencumbered, with eligibility to practice in Ohio
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Minimum one year of full-time critical care experience, but some nurses may wait until they have much more experience in order to be more competitive in the application process.
Step 2: Choose and Apply to an Accredited CRNA Program
Once the foundation of your career as an RN is set, the next step is to apply to a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), becoming a CRNA involves 7 – 8.5 years of education, 36-51 months of which are within the CRNA program itself.
The programs are highly competitive, weighing academic performance heavily, particularly in science coursework, along with critical care experience, leadership potential, and a clear passion for the specialty. Required personal statements and interviews are less about resume bullet points and more about how you think under pressure and why you want this path.
Ohio ranks number two in the US for CRNA programs, tied with Florida at 9 and behind Pennsylvania with 15 accredited programs.
Step 3: Earn Your Doctoral Degree in Nurse Anesthesia
As of 2022, all CRNA programs culminate in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), replacing the older MSN standard, and include:
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Didactic Instruction – Advanced anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and principles of anesthesia.
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Clinical Practicum – Over 2,000 hours and more than 600 anesthesia cases across diverse specialties.
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Research/Capstone Project – Focused on improving anesthesia practice or patient outcomes.
Ohio’s programs integrate robust simulation training and interprofessional collaboration, preparing graduates for real-world clinical demands.
Step 4: Certification and Licensure
Graduation is not the end of the journey to becoming a CRNA. You must pass the certification exam and obtain state licensure as an APRN with a specialty in anesthesia.
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Pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) – Administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
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Obtain CRNA Licensure in Ohio – Apply for APRN licensure with the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN), designating your specialty in anesthesia. You must also submit:
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Proof of certification
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Transcripts
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Background checks (FBI and BCI)
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An application fee
Step 5: Begin Practice and Fulfill Ongoing Requirements
Even once in practice, the journey of a CRNA is far from static. Ongoing certification through the NBCRNA Continued Professional Certification (CPC) program, plus state-specific continuing education—including ethics, law, and substance abuse training—is required to maintain licensure and uphold clinical excellence.
CRNAs in Ohio must:
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Maintain national certification through the NBCRNA CPC Program, which operates on an eight-year cycle, divided into two four-year periods. A CRNA renews their credential every four years.
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Complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years, including one hour on Ohio law and rules, for your RN license, as required by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
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Complete 24 contact hours of continuing education every two years, with content relevant to nursing practice, if you hold prescriptive authority, for your APRN license, as required by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Career Outlook and Considerations
CRNAs in Ohio are among the highest-paid APRNs, with median salaries exceeding $200,000 annually in many regions. They are in high demand, especially in rural areas and outpatient surgical centers.
The journey from RN to CRNA in Ohio is one of dedication, continuous learning, and clinical excellence. By following the structured pathway and staying informed on Ohio’s evolving practice laws, RNs can take confident strides toward becoming trusted anesthesia providers and clinical leaders.
For more insights, real-life experiences, and updates from Ohio CRNAs, follow the OSANA blog.
