I had the pleasure of speaking with Jessica Emmons, a recent Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) program graduate who, like many of us, has quite an interesting story to tell of her journey into nursing and to her latest career stop, as a nurse anesthetist. Jessica began her adult life as an accountant and when she was looking for a change, others in healthcare described nursing as an “enviable world.”

During her 12 years as an emergency room nurse, Jessica also worked as a vascular access nurse, where she experienced significant autonomy and decision-making responsibility. As she developed her leadership skills and was sought after for more responsibility, she realized that remaining at the bedside was important to her. She shadowed a colleague in the operating room and had a “wow experience” that drew her to becoming a CRNA.

Please listen in on our conversation to learn more about Jessica, including the human piece of her work as a CRNA, what a typical day is like, and what she means by saying “You never hear about the overly prepared or overly clean nurse on the 5 o’clock news!” Jessica also tells us about the importance of the trust established with a patient in her care and shares an example of providing care to a patient who was not expected to awaken after surgery. Lastly, Jessica has some great advice to anyone considering application to a CRNA program and joining this group of 52,000+ advanced practice nurses!

Happy National CRNA Week!



A 2017 graduate of the Nurse-Anesthesia Program at Drexel University, Jessica Ann Emmons, MSN, CRNA is employed full time with United Anesthesia Services, P.C. and is based out of Paoli Hospital. Her graduate research focused on the second victim phenomenon, and the need for structured peer support after unanticipated adverse outcomes. She continues to speak and present this information at conferences and state meetings in the hopes of creating awareness about this vital topic. In 2003, Jessica earned her ASN from Gwynedd-Mercy College, launching a nursing career and leaving the business world behind. Prior to starting her specialization in anesthesia, Jessica was an emergency department nurse, vascular access specialist, and worked in the neuro-cardiac intensive care unit. Jessica resides in the borough of West Chester, PA with her husband, Will, and their three daughters. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys cooking, bicycling, and quilting, although never all three at once.