Setting the Record Straight: Comparing the Education of a CRNA and an Anesthesiologist

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs conducted an analysis of the education and clinical requirements for anesthesiologists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Clinical hours for physicians in anesthesia residency programs were reported by the Anesthesia Quality Institute in their fourth annual edition titled "Anesthesia in the United States, 2013." This guest editorial provides a more realistic number of clinical hours for CRNAs attained relative to their nurse anesthesia education, including required critical care nursing experience and nurse anesthesia program clinical experiences.