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Get ready to honor and celebrate the hardworking and dedicated Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) during National CRNA Week, starting on January 23! This week was first established in 2000 by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists to recognize the important role that CRNAs play in healthcare. These highly trained professionals provide anesthesia care for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures, making them an essential part of any medical team. So let's take a moment to appreciate and thank all the CRNAs out there for their invaluable contributions to keeping us safe and comfortable during medical procedures.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1877</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Nurse Anesthetist</div><div class='timeline-text'>Catherine S. Lawrence, along with other nurses from St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, becomes the first known nurse anesthetist.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1956</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of AANA</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is established to set professional standards and provides guidance and support for nurse anesthetists.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1975</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Certification Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The profession establishes the certification process for nurse anesthetists, leading to the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) designation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National CRNA Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first National CRNA Week is celebrated in 2000 to honor and recognize the important work of CRNAs in the medical community.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition Growth</div><div class='timeline-text'>As of 2016, there are over 52,000 CRNAs in the United States providing anesthesia care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>COVID-19 Pandemic</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the COVID-19 pandemic, CRNAs play an essential role in managing critically ill patients and in the administration of anesthesia for emergency and urgent procedures.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a CRNA appreciation party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather all the CRNAs in your workplace or community and throw a party to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. You can have food, drinks, and fun activities to celebrate together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a volunteer event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get together with other CRNAs and volunteer at a local healthcare organization or charity. This is a great way to give back to the community and promote the important role of CRNAs in healthcare.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send thank you cards</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to write personalized thank you cards to the CRNAs in your life. This small gesture can go a long way in showing your appreciation for their hard work and dedication.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a CRNA conference or seminar</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take advantage of any CRNA conferences or seminars happening during National CRNA Week. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the profession and network with other CRNAs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share CRNA stories on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use social media to share stories and experiences of CRNAs and how they have made a difference in the lives of their patients. This can help raise awareness and appreciation for the important role of CRNAs in healthcare.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Recognition and appreciation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National CRNA Week is a time to recognize and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and important role that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) play in delivering safe and effective anesthesia care to patients. It's a chance to acknowledge their contributions and thank them for their service!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raising awareness of the profession</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National CRNA Week also helps increase public awareness of the CRNA profession and the specialized training and skills required to become one. This can help educate individuals on the importance of CRNAs in healthcare and potentially inspire others to pursue this rewarding career path.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promoting patient safety</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>CRNAs are essential members of the healthcare team and play a vital role in ensuring patient safety during surgical procedures. National CRNA Week helps bring attention to this important aspect of their job and encourages the public to trust and appreciate the care provided by CRNAs.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>CRNAs are highly educated healthcare professionals</h3><p class='facts-content'>CRNAs must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in order to practice, with many CRNAs also holding Doctoral degrees. They also complete extensive clinical training in addition to their rigorous academic preparation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>CRNAs provide anesthesia care across a wide range of surgical procedures</h3><p class='facts-content'>They are trained to administer anesthesia for all types of surgery, from simple procedures to complex operations, in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and doctors’ offices.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>CRNAs have existed for more than 150 years</h3><p class='facts-content'>The profession of nurse anesthesia was established during the Civil War. As demand for surgeries increased, nurses began providing anesthesia to wounded soldiers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are over 50,000 practicing CRNAs in the United States</h3><p class='facts-content'>As of 2021, there are over 50,000 CRNAs and student registered nurse anesthetists. This number is expected to increase as the demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America</h3><p class='facts-content'>In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers in nearly 100 percent of rural hospitals. They provide primary anesthesia care, helping to make healthcare more accessible to people in non-urban areas.</p></div></div>
National CRNA Week is celebrated on January 23 every year. In 2024 National CRNA Week will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Jan 23
Monday
2024
Jan 23
Tuesday
2025
Jan 23
Thursday
2026
Jan 23
Friday
2027
Jan 23
Saturday
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