The University of Oklahoma (OU) is preparing to introduce a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program, the first such program at a public university in the state. University officials say this move is intended to alleviate anesthesia provider shortages particularly in rural and underserved regions of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma faces acute gaps in anesthesia care. According to state nursing board data, 52 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties do not have an anesthesiologist. More than 80 percent of anesthesia providers statewide are CRNAs, and they serve as the primary providers in 75 counties. OU estimates the state requires an additional 89 CRNAs each year to meet existing demand and maintain access to surgical and pain management services outside urban centers.
The CRNA program will offer an additional path for students seeking advanced practice training in anesthesia. Until now, the University of Tulsa has been the only institution offering CRNA education in the state; OU’s entry marks the first opportunity through a public university. Changes to OU’s nursing curricula have already been approved by the college to align with the latest Essentials Accreditation Standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Part of these adjustments includes reducing the length of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from 14 months to 12, enabling students to complete their training more rapidly.
Final approval for the updated nursing programs rests with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The CRNA program is also seeking initial accreditation from the Council on Accreditation; no student enrollment will begin until that accreditation is in place.
This announcement comes amid broader concerns over the state’s healthcare workforce. Reports by the Oklahoma Hospital Association highlight that workforce shortages predate the pandemic but have worsened, placing particular strain on rural hospitals. Many allied health professions face critical staffing gaps, while physicians and nurses are unevenly distributed, leaving many rural communities underserved. According to state public health data, most Oklahoma counties are designated as health professional shortage areas, especially for primary care and mental health providers. Hospital leaders point to burnout, financial pressures, and difficulty recruiting as ongoing obstacles. In rural hospitals, limited staff often translate into reduced services, longer travel for patients, and in some cases, facility closures.
The CRNA program is viewed by state health leaders as a potential lever to help relieve some of these pressures by bolstering the local workforce, increasing access, and improving patient care in regions that currently rely heavily on an overburdened system.
