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Recent confusion surrounding student involvement in anesthesia care has created significant challenges for CRNAs, SRNAs, and health-care facilities. A new clarification from The Joint Commission helps resolve this issue.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the commonwealth issued a temporary blanket waiver that enabled advanced practice nurses, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training to enhance the state’s response to the health-care crisis.

Dear PANA Members, As we approach National CRNA Week in Pennsylvania, January 18–24, 2026 , I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate all of the 4,000-plus certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) that the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) represents in our commonwealth. This year’s theme — “CRNAs: The Heart of Anesthesia” — reminds us of the essential role we play in guiding patients th

Born and raised in El Salvador, I came to the U.S. at 19, working as a housekeeper while taking ESL classes. Over a decade later, I have more than five years of nursing experience and am now proudly pursuing my dream as an SRNA.