Why a CRNA?
CRNAs are highly educated, advanced practice registered nurses who deliver the same safe, high-quality anesthesia care as other anesthesia professionals,
but at a lower cost. > More
CRNA Stories
See first-hand how CRNAs enhance anesthesia care in today’s
healthcare system. > Go
Get Involved
Help us educate others about how CRNAs are perfectly suited to deliver high-quality, cost-effective anesthesia care today and well
into the future. > Go
"I have no problem working in a care team setting or as an independent anesthesia provider. If patients are our top priority, egos can’t get in the way."
Candy Chapman, CRNA
Test your knowledge
Prev NextCORRECT
True
Nurses first gave anesthesia on the battlefields of the American Civil War. After 1900, surgeons began recruiting compassionate, vigilant “nurse anesthetists” to provide anesthesia to their patients.
True Or False
A CRNA working as the sole anesthesia provider is the most cost-effective model for anesthesia delivery.
TFCORRECT
True
A 2010 study found a CRNA practicing solo is 25 percent less expensive than the next lowest-cost model, an anesthesiologist supervising six CRNAs, and far more cost-effective than an anesthesiologist supervising a single CRNA.
True Or False
Federal law requires that CRNAs be supervised by an anesthesiologist when administering anesthetics.
TFCORRECT
True
There are no federal laws, rules or regulations that require CRNAs to be supervised by anesthesiologists. Facility decision makers can decide which anesthesia care team model best meets their needs.
CORRECT
True
In many states, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia professionals in nearly 100 percent of rural hospitals.
True Or False
In the United States, CRNAs deliver the majority of anesthetics administered to patients annually.
TFCORRECT
True
CRNAs are the hands-on providers of 85 percent of patient anesthetics, or roughly 34 million anesthetics out of 40 million given each year in the United States.
True Or False
By 2025, all CRNAs will be required to earn a master’s degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program.
TFCORRECT
True
By 2025, CRNAs will be required to earn a doctorate of nursing practice or other comparable doctoral degree. Nurse anesthetists are already required to earn a master’s degree in order to practice.
About Anesthesia Care
Different Models, Same Quality Outcomes
At its core, anesthesia care is freedom from pain. Each year, millions of Americans undergo some form of medical treatment requiring anesthesia. In the hands of qualified professionals such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), anesthesia is a safe and effective means of alleviating pain during nearly every type of medical procedure. > More
About CRNAs
Well Suited to Meet Today’s Healthcare Challenges
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have been providing anesthesia care to patients in the United States for more than 150 years. CRNAs collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified healthcare professionals to deliver safe, high-quality, and cost effective patient care in virtually every healthcare setting. > More
Legislators
Anesthesia Care and the Law
As costs continue to rise, healthcare policymakers are balancing a mandate by their constituents to make the system more efficient and accessible, all while maintaining safe, high-quality service delivery. Research suggests a CRNA-based anesthesia care model moves lawmakers a step closer to meeting that challenge. > More
Facility Administrators
Balancing Care… and Costs
Today’s healthcare administrators are consumed with challenges brought on by rapid change. The optimal facility management model is evolving from one that prioritizes healthcare delivery above all to one that rewards facilities for keeping people healthy and avoiding costly readmissions. > More
"We anesthetized infants, children, adults and the elderly for routine, trauma, obstetrical and emergency cases. The closest anesthesiologist was an hour away."
Dennis Gundersen, CRNA
Research
Download scientific peer-reviewed research that illustrates how CRNAs consistently deliver safe, high-quality,
cost-effective anesthesia care in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment.
HEALTH AFFAIRS
No Harm Found When Nurse Anesthetists Work Without Supervision by Physicians> Go
Nursing Economic$
Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Anesthesia Providers, Economic$ > Go
NURSING RESEARCH
Anesthesia Staffing, Complications During Cesarean Delivery… > Go
Health Services Research
Anesthesia Provider Model, Hospital Resources… > Go
AANA JOURNAL
Surgical Mortality and Type of Anesthesia Provider… > Go
AANA JOURNAL
Studies Support Removing CRNA Supervision Rule to Maximize Workforce… >Go
INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE
Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health… > Go
AANA JOURNAL
Assessment of Recent Graduates Preparedness for Entry into Practice… > Go
The Cochrane Library
Physician Anaesthetists vs. Non-Physician Providers… > Go
"Being able to practice to the full extent of my capabilities has allowed me to make an impact on the
quality of my patients’ lives."
Brian Bradley, CRNA, MS.
Get Involved
Download and share fact sheets, infographics and other materials that explain how CRNAs are perfectly suited to deliver safe, high-quality, cost-effective anesthesia care in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment.
- >Changing Anesthesia Care Landscape
(Infographic) - >CRNA Education and Training
(Infographic) - >CRNAs at a Glance
(Fact Sheet) - >CRNAs: Ensuring Safe Anesthesia Care
AANA Members - access additional campaign
resources in the member center.
Share Your Story
Do you know of an exceptional CRNA who takes pride in helping America meet the challenges of our evolving healthcare environment? Please share your story idea by completing the form below. If selected, an AANA staff member will contact you to bring your story to life.
