Obtain your BSN, a Bachelor's degree in nursing, from an accredited school. Nurse anesthesia programs deliver postgraduate education at the Master's degree level, so a Bachelor's degree is required for admission to most programs, including those in the Philadelphia area.
Apply for a license to work as a registered nurse. In Pennsylvania, RNs must complete a Bachelor's degree program in nursing, complete the paperwork for the nursing license and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Gain at least 1 year of nursing experience working with acute care patients. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, programs typically require some experience, although the specifics vary for each program. For instance, the program at Philadelphia's Drexel University (drexel.edu) requires 2 years of full-time work experience in critical care, including experience with invasive hemodynamic monitoring, ventilatory care and pharmacologic management in surgical, medical, cardiovascular or pediatric intensive care units or emergency units.
Study for and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), if required. The GRE general test measures graduate school applicants' analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning abilities. Several Prometric Testing Centers in Philadelphia give the computer-based examination.
Enter an educational program near Philadelphia. Besides Drexel University, schools offering CRNA training in Philadelphia include LaSalle University (lasalle.edu), Thomas Jefferson University (jefferson.edu) and the University of Pennsylvania (penn.edu).
Devote time to your schooling. These CRNA programs in Philadelphia enroll students full-time in classwork followed by clinical experiences.