Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/10/2010

Question
I want to become a Nurse Anesthetist with hopes of eventually becoming an Anesthesiologist. How much schooling would I have in between the two?  Would I have to go the full 4 years of med school plus 4 years of residency?

Answer
They are two separate paths. For CRNA, you need a nursing degree, then 2 yrs ICU training then 2 yrs CRNA school. If you then go for MD anesthesia, you need the full 4 yrs of medical school and 4 yrs of residency training. Why go for CRNA if you eventually want to be an MD?


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston