Did you know the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) represents approximately 4,000 certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and student anesthetists? That’s a powerful coalition of highly skilled and trained professionals.
Did you also know that Pennsylvania is among the top draws nationally for CRNA students, with 15 highly rated nurse anesthetist programs spread across the commonwealth? That dedication to education and training – the average nurse anesthetist completes more than 9,000 clinical hours – is what makes us among the most trusted health-care professionals.
This week, we celebrate all the innovative leaders who provide exceptional care to their patients during their most vulnerable moments. But CRNA Week in Pa. isn’t just about thanking you for all you do, it’s also about making sure the entire health-care community and general public take a moment to reflect on your heroic work.
You are the hands-on provider of anesthesia care, practicing in every setting where anesthesia is administered, especially rural and underserved areas, where CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care, often practicing independently.
Nurse anesthetists are usually the last person a patient sees before a surgical procedure begins, and the first they see when they awake. Because of your advanced degrees and a high level of education and clinical experience, you are able to respond quickly to patient changes during surgical and medical procedures, ensuring patient health and safety. That’s why numerous medical studies validate your practice, even for rare and difficult procedures.
Over the next few days, we will pause briefly to praise you as providers of exceptional care and celebrate your work as innovative leaders and advocates for patient care – not just during this hallmark week, but throughout the entire year. So, on behalf of PANA, I want to wish everyone a happy National CRNA Week in Pa.!
Debra Minzola, Ph.D., CRNA
President
Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists
