Who Regulates?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) practice under the oversight of the NCBON and in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act. In North Carolina, CRNAs collaborate with licensed physicians, dentists, podiatrists, or other qualified healthcare providers. Collaboration is a shared process that respects the licensure and expertise of all team members, with CRNAs remaining accountable for their own actions.
Laws & Rules
To practice as a CRNA in NC, you must:
- Hold an active registered nurse (RN) license in North Carolina,
- Graduate from an accredited CRNA program,
- Pass the CRNA national certification examination
- Maintain certification through ongoing recertification requirements via the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, including continuing education and periodic assessments.
Rules
Practice
CRNAs practice is guided by their education, competencies, and national certification scope and standards. These frameworks define roles and responsibilities and ensure safe, effective anesthesia care.
CRNAs provide comprehensive anesthesia services across the perioperative continuum, including:
- Pre-anesthesia care: Patient assessments, diagnostic review, and medication planning.
- Anesthesia management: Equipment preparation, anesthesia administration, airway management, monitoring, and recovery support.
- Post-anesthesia care: Follow-up, respiratory and cardiovascular support, documentation, and discharge planning.
- Additional responsibilities: Emergency response, catheter insertion, respiratory consultation, and pain management.
Prescriptive Authority
CRNAs do not have prescriptive authority in NC, so they cannot prescribe medications. They work within protocols and order sets, collaborating with prescribing providers.
Clinical Services Provided
CRNAs are highly trained advanced practice nurses who deliver safe and effective anesthesia care for surgical, obstetric, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. Their role also includes managing patient airways, monitoring vital signs, and providing pain management and emergency interventions as needed.