Female patient receives  anesthesia

The definitive source of ​leadership, advocacy and ​education for nurse ​anesthesiology in

California.

What is a CRNA?

In California, certified registered nurse anesthetists

(CRNAs) have practiced independently - without

physician supervision - for decades. They administer every ​type of anesthesia in any health care setting.


Physician anesthesiologists and CRNAs provide

anesthesia care upon the order of a surgeon. From that ​order, a CRNA and a physician anesthesiologist practice in the ​exact same way to perform all of the direct and indirect ​patient care services associated with the administration of ​anesthesia.


Countless studies find certified registered nurse anesthetists ​as safe and effective as physician anesthesiologists, including ​when practicing independently and in complex cases.

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CRNAS are extensively educated, advanced ​practice registered nurses specializing in ​anesthesia care.

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Minimum of 7 - 8½ yrs of education & training ​specific to nursing & anesthesiology before ​CRNAs are licensed to practice anesthesia.

Medical Doctor Practitioner

By 2025, CRNAs must possess a Doctoral ​Degree from a COA-accredited nurse ​anesthesia educational program.

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CRNAs must pass a National Certification ​Examination for entry into practice and be re-​certified every 4 years.

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CRNAs obtain an average of 9,369 clinical ​hours of training prior to becoming a CRNA.

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Modoc

State of California
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Trinity

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Lassen

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Colusa

State of California

Did You Know?

(CRNAs) are the sole anesthesia providers in 4 rural ​counties in California, and provide more than 80% of

rural anesthesia nationwide.


  • Four California counties (7%) rely solely on CRNA ​anesthesia services: Colusa, Lassen, Modoc, and Trinity.


  • CRNAs administer anesthesia independently of physician ​anesthesiologists in all practice settings in the 51 counties ​(94%) where surgical, obstetric and trauma services are ​provided.


  • Four counties do not currently offer any anesthesia ​services (Alpine, Glenn, Mariposa, and Sierra).


Trailblazers in Pain Management

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Surgical or chronic pain can be managed ​without opioids. CRNAs are trailblazers in ​this form of anesthesia care.


By virtue of education and individual clinical ​experience and competency, a CRNA may ​practice chronic pain management utilizing a ​variety of therapeutic, physiological, ​pharmacological, interventional, and ​psychological modalities in the management ​and treatment of pain.






Resources

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Facts

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Education

& Training

About CANA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), or nurse anesthesiologists, have been providing anesthesia to ​patients in the United States for more than 150 years. CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) ​who have completed an accredited graduate level nurse anesthesia program and passed a national certifying ​examination; all nurse anesthesia programs now award doctoral degrees.


Qualified to administer all types of anesthetics independently, CRNAs work in every setting in which ​anesthesia is delivered, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and physician/dental offices. CRNA ​services include pre-anesthesia evaluation, administering the anesthetic, monitoring and interpreting the ​patient’s vital signs and managing the patient throughout surgery. In California, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia ​providers in 4 counties, and the primary provider in most rural areas, ensuring patient access to obstetrical, ​surgical, trauma stabilization and pain management services.


The California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA) is the definitive source of leadership, advocacy and ​education for the CRNAs of California.


Contact

anesthesia nurse recording vital sign and other information

address

575 Market Street, Suite 400

San Francisco, California 94105

Phone

415.610.8499

Email

info@canainc.org

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