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.
On 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]
Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology[edit]
The 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]
^"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.
^ abcde"History of AANA". American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
