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CRNAs practice in almost every health care setting where anesthesia is needed, including hospitals, outpatient surgery centers and government and public health facilities. They can also be found in the offices of surgeons, dentists, ophthalmologists, palliative care specialists and podiatrists.

Depending on state law, nurse anesthetists either work independently or within a collaborative team of health care professionals. According to The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), they are the only anesthesia professionals working in over 60% of rural hospitals and the primary anesthesia providers for members of the U.S. armed forces and pregnant women.

Because most surgeries are performed in the daytime, CRNAs generally work regular business hours. However, they often spend nights, weekends and holidays on call and can be summoned at any time in the event of an emergency.