Nurse anesthetists, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), oversee the administration of anesthesia and the recovery process of patients. They are experienced registered nurses who have completed additional training in dispensing anesthesia. As a nurse anesthetist, you administer local and general anesthesia, epidural, and nerve blocks. Your responsibilities and duties include speaking to the patient regarding their procedure, preparing and administering the proper anesthesia, recording vital signs during the procedure, and monitoring the patient through recovery. You may also manage the patient's pain before and after their procedure. A nurse anesthetist works as part of the surgical team, under the direction of a licensed surgical doctor or team of doctors.