There are nearly 54,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the nation today. They administer more than 49 million anesthetics in the United States. In rural settings they are typically the only anesthesia provider. They are licensed in all states and serve as commissioned officers in all branches of the military as well as the United States Public Health Service. Studies conducted by the federal government have detailed the need for many more CRNAs in the U.S. today.