As we close out CRNA week, Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor wants to take a moment to reflect on all that CRNAs do for our industry. It is our strong belief that one week of recognition simply is not enough for the hard work they do throughout the year, especially this past year. In the midst of COVID-19, they have been true healthcare heroes. Along with shedding light on who CRNAs are and what they do, we will also use this article to go over ways we can recognize them every day, not just one week.
What is a CRNA?
CRNA stands for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist which is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides anesthesia-related care in many different health care settings. These health care settings include hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms, pain management centers and the offices of podiatrists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and much more.
Who Can Be a CRNA?
With the proper education and training, anyone can be a CRNA! In order to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, you need a Bachelor of Science in nursing and at least a year of experience in a critical care setting (such as an ICU) to apply to a nurse anesthesia program. After being accepted, aspiring CRNAs undergo rigorous training to receive a master’s or doctorate degree in nurse anesthesia. After achieving the required education, graduates must then take a national licensure exam in order to practice.
Why are CRNAs Important?
As mentioned above, CRNAs are not only particularly important to do what we do here at A4, but also to the healthcare industry as a whole. When it comes to any surgery or invasive medical procedure, you want to have the very best medical team on your side – this team goes further than just the surgeon or doctor. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are a crucial piece of the puzzle as they are responsible for ensuring anesthesia is properly administered – arguably one of the most important parts of surgery as sadly, it could be life or death. CRNAs bring peace of mind to the whole surgical staff in that anesthesia care is done properly and with the utmost care of the patient in mind.
How to Celebrate CRNAs All Year
CRNAs of course deserve recognition during CRNA week, but also beyond it. Here are a few ways we can celebrate the wonderful CRNAs of our industry all year long:
- Support the growth and advancement of CRNAs by offering to be a mentor or providing resources for development.
- Make sure they are heard by sharing their individual stories on social media, on your website or in email marketing.
- Encourage your CRNAs to mentor those that are interested in the industry – whether this is speaking to high school/college students or supporting someone when they are just starting their career.
- Allow for CRNA peer groups within your organization so they feel they have the support they need on the job every day.
These are just a few ways we can support and celebrate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists throughout the year. With over 150 years of administering anesthesia care under their belt, they have helped shape what we know and see today in the healthcare industry. CRNAs are often selfless and do the job simply because they want to help people. There is no other profession or role within healthcare quite like that of a CRNA and today, we celebrate them, especially our own here at Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor. Thank you for all you do!!
CRNA’s are an integral part of the Anesthesia Care Team at A4!
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