The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists represents more than 49,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and student registered nurse anesthetists, including approximately 900 members serving in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Nationwide, CRNAs deliver approximately 40 million anesthetics each year. CRNAs have provided the majority of anesthesia to our active duty military in combat arenas since World War I and predominate in Veterans hospitals and the U.S. Armed Services.
To ensure our Veterans have access to high quality healthcare, the VHA is modernizing its policy to authorize CRNAs and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice to their full scope and be recognized as Full Practice Authority providers. This designation follows the recommendation of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that APRNs should be permitted to practice to the full scope of their skill and training, and is consistent with current practice models in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Health Services, Combat Support Hospitals and Forward Surgical Teams. The AANA supports the VHA’s efforts to increase Veterans’ access to the highest quality healthcare they have earned and deserve.
