Recognizing the Immense Impact of Nurse Anesthesia
Western Healthcare is proud to lock arms with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) as it kicks off the annual celebration of National CRNA Week (January 22-28, 2023). This week of recognition is held during the last week of January each year to celebrate the immense impact Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) make on patient care and the healthcare industry overall. CRNAs are an integral part of the medical team, providing safe anesthesia care since the birth of this medical profession in the 1800s.
The Birth of Nurse Anesthesia
For more than 150 years, CRNAs have played a crucial role in the success of many medical procedures. However, during the American Civil War, it was nurses that first administered anesthesia. Catholic orders of nuns were amongst the earliest trained nurses to administer anesthesia. Employing nuns to perform surgical anesthesia was a common practice adopted by the Mayo brothers in the 1870s, but it was Alice Magaw who would forever change the world of anesthesia.
Alice Magaw: “The Mother of Anesthesia”
Alice Magaw started her career in 1889 as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, now known as the Mayo Clinic. During this time, administering surgical anesthesia was extremely dangerous. However, Magaw created an innovative approach that led to major advancements in modern surgery, and eventually she went on to complete over 14,000 anesthetic procedures without a single fatality. Many of today’s techniques for surgical anesthesia were founded by Alice Magaw, earning her the title “Mother of Anesthesia.”
Present Day Nurse Anesthesia
As of 2022, there are 59,000 CRNAs and registered nurse anesthesia students in the United States. They work alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other professionals to ensure the safe administration of anesthesia. Together, CRNAs and students have performed 50 million anesthesia procedures on average annually. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of CRNAs is projected to grow 40% through 2030.
How You Can Celebrate CRNAs
Western Healthcare recognizes and appreciates the tireless commitment CRNAs make. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate CRNAs, here are a few ideas to help get you started:
Host a virtual celebration. Invite your colleagues to join a virtual gathering where you can share stories, accomplishments, and laughs.
Send thank you cards. Send cards to your colleagues expressing your gratitude and recognizing their contributions to the field of medicine.
Participate in national initiatives. Join the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ (AANA) #WeAreThere campaign on social media, and post photos or videos of your team in action.
Show your pride. Wear your CRNA badge proudly, and use #NationalCRNAWeek to spread the word about the incredible work CRNAs do.
From all of us at Western Healthcare, THANK YOU to the CRNAs working for us and across the country!
Looking for your next assignment? We have numerous CRNA opportunities currently open nationwide. Visit our job search page to learn more or email us at [email protected].
Nurse Anesthesia Timeline - Celebrating 150 Years of Dedication
