1940
The Bulletin of the National Association of Nurse Anesthetists was renamed the Bulletin of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Agatha Hodgins’ detailed study on proposed educational plans stated that the plans included proposals to “…survey and accredit listed schools of anesthesia; certify successful candidates, and create machinery for the registration of qualified graduate nurse anesthetists….” (Thatcher pp237,250,259)
 The AANA seal (pictured at right), whose design is the Watchful Care of the Sleeper by
the Light of the Lamp of Learning, was adopted.
The Board of Trustees voted to donate $300 “for research on anesthetic explosions being conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.” (Thatcher p237)
Major Julia Flikke, superintendent, Army Nurse Corps, informed the AANA that nurse anesthetists would be appointed to the Army Nurse Corps with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. (Bankert p108)
1941
Mary Elizabeth Appel became the Association’s first nonmember executive
employee, replacing Willenborg as executive secretary. (Thatcher pp241,244)
The fiscal year was changed to September 1 through August 31. (Bylaws 1941)
1941-1945
Nurse anesthetists provided anesthesia for the wounded in World War II.
1942
An editorial in the Bulletin provided a rallying call for civilian and
military service on the part of nurse anesthetists. (Bankert pp109,112)
“Anesthesia: A Career for the Graduate Nurse,” an eight-page brochure
compiled by Gertrude Fife, was published to inform the public of
the AANA’s objectives, educational program, and
membership requirements. (J Nov 42)
Membership passed 2,500.
A survey to evaluate the courses given at schools of anesthesia
was completed. The survey utilized on-site surveyors.
(Thatcher p246, J Feb 1943)
1943
The Annual Meeting was reduced to one day due to the war and staffing shortages.
With the lack of a quorum at the Annual Meeting, the officers
elected the previous year remained in office. (Thatcher pp243-244)
The Anesthesia Records Committee was formed to create a
standardized anesthesia record.
1944
AANA membership was extended to African-American nurse anesthetists.
The Board adopted blue and silver as the official colors
of the association. (Thatcher p246)
A bylaws revision indicated that members should use the credentials MAANA – Member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Gertrude Fife ended her 12-year tenure as editor of the Bulletin
and chairman of the Publications Committee.
1945
 Agatha Hodgins became the AANA’s first donor when she gave a $100 bond to be “used as the nucleus of a fund, which, at some future date, will be used to further the educational program of the Association.” (Thatcher 247, J May 1945)
Publication of the Journal is transferred
to Chicago from
Cleveland
beginning with the May issue. (J Nov 1944)
Founder and first president Agatha Hodgins died on March 24.
The AANA published the recruitment brochure “Anesthesiology—A Specialized Field for Graduate Professional Nurses.”
The AANA administered its first qualifying (certification) examination on June 4.
The 38-page examination included true-false, fill-in, essay, and multiple-choice
questions. It was taken by 90 women in 39 hospitals in 28 states,
plus one in the Territory of Hawaii.
The Bulletin of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists was renamed
The Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
beginning with the May issue.
The Annual Meeting was cancelled due to World War II.
The first Institute of Instructors of Anesthesiology was held in Chicago.
The Board authorized the employment of a fourth person at the executive office.
(8/13, Blanchard, Board correspondence, 1941-46)
1946
The office of the treasurer was transferred from Cleveland to
Chicago
on November 1, uniting the entire executive office in Chicago. (Thatcher p255)
The first Schools of Anesthesiology Assembly was held; it was an offshoot of the
Institute of Instructors of Anesthesiology and would later be called the
Assembly of School Faculty. (NB Apr 1996)
1947
AANA membership was extended to male nurse anesthetists.
 The first issue of the AANA NewsBulletin was published.
Professional liability insurance was first made available to AANA members.
The Board voted to hire a full-time editor who would also be responsible for
public relations activities, and Virginia Thatcher was employed.
The first Award of Appreciation, the Association’s only award until 1975,
was presented to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.
The Government Relations Committee was formed. (J Nov 1947)
The Nominating Committee was formed. (NB Dec 1948)
Book reviews first appeared in the Journal. (J Feb 1947)
1948
 Florence McQuillen was appointed executive director,
a position she held for 22 years.
The Agatha Hodgins Educational Fund was established to
provide loans to graduate nurse anesthetists who wish to
take further training in order to teach in a school of anesthesia.
Emanuel Hayt was employed on retainer as legal counsel.
1949
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