Tag: CRNA week

CRNA week 2019

 

AANA post

 

By Thomas Davis, CRNA, MAE, DNAP candidate

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The AANA national headquarters in Park Ridge, Illinois is the nerve center of the organization and a hub for activity designed to enhance the practice of every CRNA and to bring credit to the profession.  The team of full time professionals at the home office work diligently to provide a broad spectrum of services for the members.

 

January 20-26, 2019 marks national nurse anesthesia week (CRNA week), a time to raise the flag in reflection and an opportunity for nurse anesthetists to celebrate and promote their profession.  In addition to giving recognition to CRNAs for the valuable service that they provide in the medical community, this special week also spotlights the importance of the professional organization in providing a foundation to support its members.

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional organization representing over 50,000 CRNAs and SRNAs (students) the US.  This active, Chicago-based organization plays a vital part in uniting members, creating positive energy, establishing practice standards and ensuring the right of each qualified CRNA to work to the full extent of his/her capability.

Since it’s founding in 1931, the AANA has fulfilled a vital service to the members through its focus on uniting CRNAs, keeping them informed, and providing opportunities for each individual to experience a lifetime of personal growth.

  • Professional development. The professional practice division of the AANA is a repository of valuable information related to every aspect of the clinical practice of anesthesia.  The division publishes a professional practice manual and has sample policy/procedure suggestions for many of the common areas of practice.  In addition, the division sponsors workshops to address specific practice skills such as the use of ultrasound in the placement of nerve blocks.  Ewa Greenier, director of professional practice, welcomes queries from members and provides answers to common questions related to the practice of anesthesia.
  • Publications. An AANA journal is published and available both by mail and online to active members of the organization.  The magazine contains a wealth of evidence-based research including a journal course that provides continuing education credit.  The AANA Newsbulletin, is the printed platform for the AANA President and Board of Directors to update all of the members with timely information.
  • Annual Congress. Yielding still another opportunity for professional growth, the annual AANA congress provides the stage to personally hear from and talk with leaders in every area of practice, learning from the best.  Networking opportunities abound at the national meeting and post meeting follow-up extends the relationship throughout the year.
  • Professional support. The professional organization supports not only the clinical practice of the members, but the business aspect of practice through insurance and legal advice.  The AANA sponsors workshops designed to inform members about the business of anesthesia.
  • Research. An important aspect of being in a homogeneous consortium is the expectation that it will add to the body of knowledge related to their field of expertise.   The AANA Foundation plays a crucial role by sponsoring independent research related to the practice of anesthesia.  Foundation dollars have sponsored large-scale professional research to document the safety and cost effectiveness of CRNA practice and has also funded studies done by students.
  • Mentoring. Opportunities abound for experienced members to share their knowledge with neophytes via the AANA.  Adopting students at the Annual congress, sponsoring students at State meetings and connecting online are all opportunities for connecting and developing mentoring relationships.  Online webinars open the door for members at all levels of experience to learn from content experts related to every aspect of practice.
  • Jobs. Professional organizations are in a unique position to unite applicants with potential employers.  Job boards abound on State association web sites and meetings are fertile ground for those seeking employment to connect with the next boss.

 

Here’s what CRNAs are doing to celebrate CRNA week

The public relations department at the AANA and state CRNA associations work full time to promote the practice of nurse anesthesia and showcase the important talents that members provide to the patient population that they serve.   The PR department offers promotional material for CRNA week and offer suggestions to help local workgroups and state organizations promote themselves.   Below is a sample of projects designed to honor CRNAs during their special week.

Radio interview.   CRNAs from Mississippi and Alabama have been interviewed by local radio stations.  The on-air discussions highlighted the education and skills of CRNAs as well as the vital role that they play, especially in rural communities.

Video promotion.   The Michigan association of Nurse Anesthetists and the US Military are two organizations that have released videos to promote the profession year around.  Click on the names and view the videos.

Official proclamations by the Governor.   State associations from Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan and Mississippi have all received official proclamations signed by the Governors of their respective states.  By the time CRNA week arrives, the list will be much larger.

Legislator visit to the OR.   Members of the Texas association of Nurse Anesthetists arranged for local legislators to visit them at Northwest Hospital in Amarillo, TX. and learn about the important role CRNA play in rural healthcare.

Community service projects.  CRNAs tend to be generous with a desire to make their local communities a better place.  Community service projects ranging from local food kitchens and the Ronald McDonald house to high school career day, and wounded warier events are some of the activities done by CRNAs that build positive relationships with the community and give recognition to the profession.

Team building “extraclinical” activities.   During CRNA week, workgroups around the country gather for team building activities as well as happy hours, lounge celebrations, attendance at local entertainment events or participation in group walks.

These examples only scratch the surface of the projects done by nurse anesthetists to promote CRNA week.  Share your CRNA week activities with colleagues by using the comments box at the end of this article to describe your project.

CRNA week is a time for recognition of the valuable work done by nurse anesthetists.  In addition to receiving recognition for their work, it is also a time for CRNAs to reflect and appreciate the value of their professional community.  CRNA week puts nurse anesthetists in the spotlight and gives them a platform for connecting with their medical institution and their community.  The symbiotic relationship of each individual nurse anesthetist with the patient population and the professional organization is in focus annually during the third week of January – CRNA week.

Tom is a clinical anesthetist, author and speaker committed to promoting nurse anesthetists as leaders in the healthcare industry.

Clinical Topic: National Nurse Anesthetist Week

Every year the last full week in January is designated as National Nurse Anesthetist week.  This is our opportunity to capture media coverage and let the world know who we are and what we do.   PROCRNA.com encourages you to offer “CRNA for a day” to your local nursing school.  Welcome students at the head of the table as they rotate through the operating room.

The picture on this posting and the suggestions below come directly from the AANA web site.  Click here to view the original posting from the AANA.

National Nurse Anesthetists Week Ideas

 

There are countless possibilities for promoting your profession during National Nurse Anesthetists Week, January 22-28, 2012.  Have you considered the following?

1.                  Legislative Day.  Invite your state legislators to a breakfast or coffee at a gathering place near the state capitol, or recruit state association members to pay a visit to your legislators’ offices.

 

Many state associations have had success with legislative days in years past.  If you are interested in organizing a legislative day for your own state association, be sure to contact your state lobbyist for input on state rules and regulations concerning giving gifts to, entertaining, and lobbying legislators.

 

  1. Community Calendars.  Contact your local newspapers and radio/television stations and ask to have your National Nurse Anesthetists Week activities included in their Community Calendars.

 

  1. Proclamations.  Some states are already contacting their legislators, governors, and community leaders to have the week of January 22-28, 2012, publicly proclaimed as National Nurse Anesthetists Week.  Try contacting the appointment secretary at the state capitol or governor’s office for information on how to proceed.  (See the sample proclamation included in this section of the website.)

 

  1. Career Days.  Contact local junior high schools and high schools, junior colleges, and colleges/universities regarding speaking and exhibiting opportunities to promote careers in nurse anesthesia.

 

  1. Public Speaking.  Opportunities for public speaking are limitless.  Contact your chamber of commerce, community center, high school, park district, local chapters of professional associations, or clubs, to name a few possibilities.  Or stay closer to home and arrange to give a presentation at the hospital or healthcare facility where you work.  Target the general public or specific market segments like senior citizens, other healthcare professionals, expectant mothers, etc.

 

  1. Billboards.  For previous Nurse Anesthetists Weeks, a few states purchased billboard advertising space and reported great results.  The Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists borrowed from the 2005 Nurse Anesthetists Week materials (“How Do You Say Quality Anesthesia Care?”) to create a billboard that appeared along a busy highway during Nurse Anesthetists Week 2006.  AANA has some information concerning billboards that is available upon request.  For more comprehensive information, however, search “billboards” on the Internet.  Also, if you would like to find out more about DANA’s billboard project, contact Del Price, Jr., CRNA, MSN, via email at delsleeper@aol.com.

 

  1. Table-top Displays.  Obtain permission from your hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or physician’s office to set up a table-top display during National Nurse Anesthetists Week.  Put out brochures, giveaways, and a bowl of candy, tack up a poster or two, or get more elaborate and run the videotape The Best Kept Secret in Healthcare: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, which is available through the AANA Bookstore.

 

  1. Educate Acquaintances about CRNAs.  Make it a point during Nurse Anesthetists Week to explain to as many family members, friends, patients, and others as possible, exactly who you are and what you do.  The world needs to know, and you are the best ambassador to deliver this message on a one-to-one basis.  In fact, make delivering the message part of your daily routine.

 

  1. Phone-System Message.  Obtain permission to record a message about CRNAs and Nurse Anesthetists Week on your hospital’s phone system.  When callers to the hospital are put on hold, they will hear the educational/promotional message.

 

  1. Cinema Ads.
    The following information consists of generalized pricing that may vary depending on the number of movie screens at your local cinema complex.  For instance, if the cost to show a 30-second public service announcement during the 20 minute preview portion of the movie were $40 per screen, and the theatre has 20 screens, it would cost a total of $800 per week to advertise in that theatre.  However, if the theatre complex has four screens, the cost would be $160 per week.  In addition, most theaters show an ad for an average of four times per day (at no additional cost), and there may be a one-time cost to digitize the ad. Most theatres contract with a third part company who handles all of their advertising.  National CineMedia places advertising in the following movie theatres: AMC, Regal, Century, United Artist, Edwards, and Cinemark.  The contact number is 1-800-828-2828. Please call for current figures.

 

11.       Magazine Covers.  Northeast Medical Center in Concord, N.C., won an honorable mention in the 2003 PR Recognition Award contest for creatively educating patients and their families about nurse anesthetists.  The CRNAs there purchased magazine subscriptions for the hospital’s waiting rooms, and placed each issue of the magazines in clear, protective plastic covers.  On each cover they then placed a large sticker that stated the magazines were compliments of the anesthesia department and provided information about nurse anesthetists.  The information was read by countless people throughout the year.

 

Special thanks to those CRNAs who offered ideas and suggestions for Nurse Anesthetists Week.  Additional ideas and suggestions are always welcome!  Please send to Christopher Bettin, AANA Senior Director of Communications, at cbettin@aana.com.