Hawaii CRNA Schools and Programs
CRNA means Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist; this specialized area of nursing qualifies registered nurses to manage patient anesthesia, the same as an anesthesiologist. These nursing professionals work closely with doctors and surgeons in many different healthcare settings, including operating rooms and specialty clinics. The decision to obtain CRNA training in Hawaii is one which will bring about enhanced and rewarding career opportunities for dedicated nursing professionals .
Program Requirements
The first prerequisite for most Hawaii CRNA schools is usually a four-year degree in nursing. Applicants must have a current nursing license for the state where they intend to practice, as well as certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Applicants must have an minimum of 2.75 GPA, but typical schools will require students to have a minimum of 3 to 3.3 average. Like any graduate school, students must have scored at least a minimum of 1,000 on the Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE). In addition to schooling requirements, most CRNA schools require prospective students to have worked at least 2 years in an intensive care or critical care unit. Having experience in a surgical intensive care unit will be beneficial if applying to the top CRNA Schools
Duration and Cost
Based on a prospective student’s schedule, a CRNA degree should take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete, but vary depending on the HI CRNA school’s policies. The entire costs of CRNA schools may range from $10,000 to in excess of $100,000, including tuition, textbooks, clinical and lab fees, along with other supplies. Once admitted to the program, most CRNA students are eligible for some types of federal funding to offset some of these expenses.
CRNA Courses
The courses present in most CRNA schools in Hawaii combine academic theory with clinical practice. Most of these classes are offered in sequences; material covered in a single semester is built upon during the following semester. Intensive training in the proper anesthesia procedures can also be covered for all types of conditions requiring surgery. Topics covered in each of these courses can include but are not limited by:
- Pharmacology
- Patient preoperative care
- Anesthesia assessment
- Anesthesia equipment operation
- Patient and practitioner safety
