What is a Certified Nurse Anesthetist and what is the difference between it and an Anestigiologist doctor?

I would like to know what a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is. Also I would like to know the differences between a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and an Anestigiologist doctor? I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages, good and bad parts of being a CRNA. Some people say that the job is really hard and stressful because you have a lot of things to be responsible for. I would like some opinions and feedback. Thanks in advance.

About $100,000-$200,000 per year. ;)

CRNA: Master's degree prepared (6-7 years of full-time college in all). Depending on an individual facility's policies, might not be allowed to perform certain procedures (epidural placements, solo on a general anesthesia case, etc.)

MDA: 4 years college, 4 years med school, 3+? years internship / residency / specialization in anesthesia, and possibly more if a fellowship is done. Can do any procedure.

CRAs make about $120,000 per year to start.

And you're darn right it can be stressful. You literally hold a patient's life in your hands when they are under anesthesia. The liability potential is tremendous. Insurance premiums are killer. You have to be very smart, quick on your feet, a great critical thinker, vast knowledge of chemistry and the human body, and be able to work under pressure (performing emergency intubations on a patient who has coded, etc.). You need to first and foremost be an excellent critical care nurse, which is why all CRNA schools make you work in a ICU environment for a minimum of about 2-3 years before you qualify for a program.