ROSEMONT, Ill. , Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) announced the creation of a new membership category for registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Based in Rosemont, Illinois , the AANA is the professional association representing more than 65,300 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists. CRNAs are anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States . Education and training requirements to enter a nurse anesthesiology education program include at least one year of full-time work experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting.
The average nurse anesthesiology resident enters a program with 4.5 years of critical care experience. "This new category offers RNs and APRNs the opportunity to gain an insider's view into one of the most rewarding and in-demand careers in healthcare--nurse anesthesiology," said Amy Sherwood , CAE, AANA Chief Membership Officer.
"By joining the AANA, nurses can learn about the different career pathways within the nurse anesthesiology profession, network with CRNAs and nurse anesthesiology residents, and access a range of benefits including educational resources." CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered: traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; critical access hospital.