Nurse anesthesia is no longer the best kept secret in healthcare. Established in the late 1800's as the first clinical nursing specialty, nurse anesthesia developed in response to the growing need surgeons had for anesthetists. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA's) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) have played significant roles in developing the practice of anesthesia. today, more than 30,000 CRNA's provide cost-effective, high-quality patient care that is essential to American's healthcare system.

Nurse anesthesia is an advanced clinical nursing specialty. As anesthesia specialists, CRNA's administer approximately 65% of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the United States each year. CRNA's take care of patients before, during, and after surgical or obstetrical procedures. Nurse anesthetists stay with their patients for the entire procedure, constantly monitoring every important body function and individually modifying the anesthetic to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

During surgery, the patient's life often rests in the hands of the anesthesia provider. This awesome responsibility requires CRNA's to fully utilize every aspect of their anesthesia education, nursing skills, and scientific knowledge. CRNA's vigilantly monitor the patient's vital signs, regulate the anesthetic as necessary, analyze situations, make decisions, communicate clearly with the other members of the surgical team, and respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency.