BACK TO THE FUTURE! Governor Signs Ceremonial Professional Designation Bill

More than a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law Act 60 of 2021, which granted formal title recognition to the state’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), members of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) got to join the state’s top executive for a ceremonial bill signing at the Capitol Building.

Public bill signings were halted during the COVID-19 pandemic and only recently restarted, with PANA visiting Harrisburg on Sept. 20, 2022. Even though it was delayed in coming, the ceremony still made for a glorious day. Act 60 remains one of the biggest legislative achievements in a generation for CRNAs and SRNAs in Pennsylvania --- one that took more than a decade to secure.

With no definition for nurse anesthetists under the state’s Professional Nursing Law, CRNAs were recognized only as registered nurses. Now, with Act 60, everyone knows us for who we are and what we train to be --- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Thank you again to every CRNA and SRNA in Pennsylvania, and to dedicated PANA board members and trustees, for everyone’s tireless advocacy to get this law across the finish line and significantly advance our profession.

Learn more about the issues at www.PANAforQualityCare.com. Click on “Legislative Updates.”

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Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Featuring SRNA Jorge Alvarez

Jorge Alvarez is a 3rd year student at Villanova University Nurse Anesthesia Program at Villanova University, where he will graduate in December 2022. He won the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ 2022 Student of the Year Award. The upcoming celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month allowed him to reflect on the path he has taken to reach his goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA):

“This Hispanic Heritage Month I am reflecting on the journey that, in a few short months, will lead me towards my career as a CRNA. My mother brought us to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when I was eight years old. As a single mother, she worked multiple jobs to make ends meet so that my sister and I would have a chance at a better education and life than she did. My mom set a strong example of what work ethic means and how your attitude and perseverance contribute to your success. I keep my heritage alive by honoring my family’s sacrifices for their children, always remembering our humbling beginnings, and the privilege that it is to have an opportunity at higher education. As Hispanic SRNAs and CRNAs, we are united as one extended family. My hope for the future of anesthesia in PA is that we continue to bring representation to the profession so that we may reduce stereotypes while simultaneously validating and inspiring other Hispanic and underrepresented youths along the way.”

🩺💙 For additional #HispanicCRNA stories in our#HispanicHeritageMonth blog series, click here.

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Waiver that Suspends Physician Supervision of CRNAs Extended Again

The commonwealth once again has extended several regulatory waivers designed to give health-care providers greater flexibility in their response to COVID-19.

Among the waivers is a provision that suspends the physician supervision requirement of a certified registered nurse anesthetist in a hospital setting.

Lawmakers unanimously approved the measure (H.B. 2401) on June 30, the last day of the state’s 2021-22 fiscal year, and the governor signed it immediately.

The governor announced the original temporary blanket waiver for advanced practice nurses and CRNAs on May 6, 2020, as part of an executive order to enhance the state’s response to the emerging health-care crisis.

The waivers have been extended several times since then, most recently in March. This latest extension means the waivers will remain in effect through Oct. 31, 2022.

Removing the supervision requirement and allowing CRNAs to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training has availed more physicians to provide hands-on care, expanded the capacity of both CRNA and physician providers, and augmented the state’s health-care system during this pandemic.