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Every certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) that is a member of the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA) is required to be a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). The AANA (http://www.aana.com) is the national association that represents ~ 40,000 CRNAs that reside and practice in the United States. As members of the AANA/CANA, we are proud to state that we achieve and maintain the exceptionally high standards that the AANA has established.

The first standard of excellence is that 100% of CRNAs are certified to practice nurse anesthesia. This standard is implemented by the autonomous Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthesia Practice and is maintained by the autonomous Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthesia Practice.

The second standard of excellence is that 100% of CRNAs are graduates from a Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program that is accredited by the autonomous Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. As such, CRNAs are the only anesthesia professionals that receive a university granted degree in anesthesia delivery.

The third, final, and most important standard of excellence is that the AANA/CANA are constantly in the process of improvement through self-regulation. This third standard is the hallmark that every true profession exhibits. Californians should be proud to know that every CRNA that belongs to the AANA/CANA meet these standards of excellence.