The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), previously named the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, is a professional association for nurse anesthetists in the United States. The organization states that it has a membership of more than 62,000 and represents approximately 90% of CRNAs in the United States.[1] The AANA headquarters is currently located in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
| Formation | June 17, 1931 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional association |
| Legal status | 501(c)(6) |
| Headquarters | Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. |
Membership | 62000 |
President | Dru Riddle |
| Website | www |
History
editOn June 17, 1931, 48 nurse anesthetists, led by Agatha Hodgins, met in a classroom at the University Hospital of Cleveland Lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio. During this meeting, they founded the National Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NANA).[2][3] The association held its first annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from September 13 to 15, 1933. The meeting drew 120 attendees and saw Agatha Hodgins elected as the inaugural president.[2][4] As a new organization, it had two main objectives: establish a national qualifying exam, and establish an accreditation program for nurse anesthetist schools. The first national certification exam was held in June 1945, with 90 candidates sitting for the exam.[2][5]
The AANA began accrediting nurse anesthetist programs in 1952[6] and was recognized as an accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education in 1955.[2] In 1975, the accreditation of nurse anesthesia educational programs transitioned from the AANA to the autonomous Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).[6]
Name change
editIn August 2021, the organization changed its name from "American Association of Nurse Anesthetists" to "American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology" as part of a rebranding effort.[7] This name change, along with the organization's endorsement of the descriptor "nurse anesthesiologist", was subsequently condemned by many physicians' groups, including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), American Board of Medical Specialties, American Osteopathic Association, American Board of Anesthesiology, and American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology.[8] These organizations state that the name change is misappropriating the anesthesiologist title, and that it is deceptive, misleading to patients, and causes confusion in care settings.[9][10]
Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
editThe Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA Journal) is a peer-reviewed, bimonthly academic journal serving as the official publication of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.[11] First published in 1933,[2][12] it focuses on disseminating scholarly articles relevant to the practice of nurse anesthesiology.[11]
References
edit- ^ "About Certifed Registered Nurse Anesthetists". Anesthesia Facts. American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
Founded in 1931, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional organization representing approximately 90 percent of the nation's CRNAs. AANA members number nearly 59,000, including CRNAs and student registered nurse anesthetists.
- ^ a b c d e "History of AANA". American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "KANA Historical Timeline". Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ Koch, Kathy (June 2008). "AANA's first annual meeting: the first-fruit of an adventure". AANA Journal. 76 (3): 173–6. PMID 18567319.
- ^ Elisha, Sass; Nagelhout, John (2017). Nurse Anesthesia. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-323-44437-8. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b "History of Accreditation". Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ AANA press release
- ^ ASA press release
- ^ "American Society of Anesthesiologists Condemns the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists' Misleading Name Change". www.asahq.org. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "How calling CRNAs "nurse anesthesiologists" misleads patients". American Medical Association. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ a b "AANA Journal". American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Profiles of Nurse Anesthetists/Nurse Anesthesiologists". American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Retrieved 2024-02-04.