Nurses have been administering anesthesia in Pennsylvania since 1877 when the first nurse administered anesthetic was delivered at St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie. Since that time the Pennsylvania tradition has provided for the training, education and utilization of more nurse anesthetists than any other state.

As in other states, CRNAs are the only nurses in Pennsylvania who are credentialed to provide anesthesia services. Pennsylvania is home to more nurse anesthesia programs, which annually graduate more nurse anesthetists than any other state. Programs here are offered  as graduate level education. Applicants  are required to possess a Pennsylvania RN license  and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (or other appropriate  baccalaureate degree), and have completed one or more years of professional nursing in a critical care setting. Upon completion of the 24-36 month program, the graduate must successfully complete a national certifying exam to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. Thereafter, the CRNA must satisfy mandatory continuing education requirements to qualify for recertification.

CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered including traditional hospital suites and obstetrical delivery rooms, the offices of oral surgeons, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and ambulatory surgical centers.

CRNAs administer all types of anesthesia from the simplest to the most complex, for all types of surgical procedures, for all types of patients of all ages.

CRNAs provide anesthesia care during the pre-operative period.

CRNAs administer the anesthesia and remain with the patient throughout the intra-operative period, constantly monitoring every important function of the patient and individually monitoring the anesthetic to assure maximum safety and comfort for the patient.

CRNAs participate in the care during the post-anesthesia period. Anesthesia practice is safer than ever before. New technology, extensive specialty training and high professional standards have made anesthesia one of the safest aspects of a surgical or obstetrical procedure.

Studies of patient outcomes in Pennsylvania and nationally have consistently shown that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist's administer safe, high quality anesthesia care.

CRNAs have a long and proud history of meeting the challenges of a changing health care delivery system. With the recent acceleration of managed health care services in the state of Pennsylvania, CRNAs are facing new challenges. CRNA recognition as cost effective anesthesia specialists who provide safe, quality patient care is essential for providing health care to Pennsylvania citizens.

CRNAs, if utilized to the fullest extent of their capabilities, contribute to cost effective, accessible anesthesia care.

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia. CRNAs are the only nurses who are credentialed to provide anesthesia services.

Anesthesia is a recognized specialty in both Nursing and in medicine. Nationally CRNAs deliver more than 65% of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients each year. They are the sole anesthesia providers in 85% of rural hospitals, affording these facilities obstetrical, surgical and trauma stabilization capabilities. In addition to working as single anesthesia providers, nurse anesthetists also work as members of the anesthesia care team.