Number of anesthesia cases per year: 50,000,000
Number of certified registered nurse anesthetists: 49,494
Number of habitants: 326,690,000
Requirements to be considered for admission to a nurse anesthesia educational program include:
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing or an appropriate major.
- An unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse and/or APRN in the United States or its territories or protectorates.
- A minimum of one year full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting.
The education and experience required to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist includes:
- Graduation with a minimum of a master’s degree from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). As of August 2017, there were 120 accredited nurse anesthesia programs in the United States; 58 nurse anesthesia programs are approved to offer masters degrees and 62 are approved to award doctoral degrees for entry into practice. By January 1, 2022, all nurse anesthesia programs will be required to be at the doctoral level. Nurse anesthesia programs range from 24-42 months, depending on university and COA requirements.
- Pass the National Certification Examination following graduation.
Continued Professional Certification/Continuing education:
CRNAs must maintain professional certification. The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program consists of eight-year periods, with each period comprised of two four-year cycles. In addition to practice and licensure requirements, the program requires CRNAs to attain a minimum of 100 continuing education credits per 4 year cycle; complete educational modules in four content areas, including airway management technique, applied clinical pharmacology, human physiology and pathophysiology, and anesthesia equipment and technology; and pass a comprehensive examination every eight years.
The AANA has one national meeting, the Annual Congress, as well as a Leadership Academy, a Mid-Year Assembly, and an Assembly of School Faculty meeting annually. Additionally, each state has at least one meeting annually and there are many opportunities by private groups for the CRNA to earn continuing education credits.
Description of nurse anesthesia practice:
CRNAs administer approximately 43 million anesthetics annually in the US – in every practice setting, and for every type of surgery or procedure – using all agents and techniques, including regional anesthesia. CRNAs may work with or without an anesthesiologist. Anesthesia, when administered by a nurse is recognized as a function of nursing, therefore, CRNAs must have a current license or privilege to practice as a registered professional nurse and/or APRN in compliance with state law.
Activities of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists:
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional association representing more than 50,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and student registered nurse anesthetists in the United States. The mission of the AANA is to advance patient safety, practice excellence, and its members’ profession. The AANA, founded in 1931, promulgates education and practice standards and guidelines, and affords consultation to both private and governmental entities regarding nurse anesthetists and their practice. Most CRNAs see the value of voluntary membership, as 90% of CRNAs are members.
Web resources:
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists: aana.com
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs: coa.us.com
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists nbcrna.com
Contact Person for Country Information:
Jackie Rowles, DNP, MBA, MA, CRNA, DPNAP, DAAPM, FAAN
National Association contact:
AANA
222 South prospect Ave
Park Ridge IL 60068, USA
Tel: (1) 847 692 7050
