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 59,000. It organization represents approximately 90% of CRNAs in the United States. The AANA headquarters is currently located in Park Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

The AANA held its first meeting on June 17, 1931. Agatha Hodgins organized the event, inviting members from the Alumnae Association of the Lakeside Hospital School of Anesthesia and other nurse anesthetists from across the United States. 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 on June 4, 1945, with 92 candidates sitting for the exam.

The AANA has accredited nurse anesthetist programs since January 19, 1952. The organization was recognized as an accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education in 1955.

Name change

In 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3][4]

AANA Journal - ISSN 0094-6354 is the association's journal.

References

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