What an exciting time! Whether you are just beginning your training, are halfway through, or almost done, undertaking a career in nurse anesthesia will change your life profoundly. Forever.

Being a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is very different than being a Registered Nurse (RN) in the intensive care unit. Choosing to become a nurse anesthetist is more than just finding a pathway to a new job. You are embarking on a career that will have immense impact: on you, your families, and your patients. On your communities and humanity. The privilege of being a CRNA ~ and yes, it is a privilege that relatively few have had the opportunity to experience ~ is not bestowed, nor to be undertaken, lightly.

With that privilege comes a great responsibility; a responsibility to carry on the tradition of providing excellent anesthesia care as other CRNAs have before you for almost 150 years. The responsibility of joining the thousands of other nurse anesthetists who have paved your way by supporting your profession financially through membership in the AANA. By donating money to your state and national Political Action Committees (PACs). By educating elected and appointed legislators, regulators, policymakers and other healthcare professionals about who nurse anesthetists are, what we do, and where we practice. By continuing a path of lifelong learning so that you will always provide the safest anesthesia and deliver the most up-to-date evidence-based care. By being the voice that speaks for your patients when they are unable to speak for themselves. By being involved in your chosen profession and career.

Being involved does not mean you need to strive to be president of the AANA someday. It can occur in a variety of ways. Every state association has educational meetings and workshops at least once a year; find out where and when they are - and attend. You also will get to network with other CRNAs in your state – invaluable! Most states even have student nurse anesthetist organizations. Consider being on a state committee as a student or graduate; you will be mentored and welcomed by your colleagues who will often become close, lifelong friends. Perhaps you will want to return to your alma mater and consider teaching a class, or lecturing on the professional aspects of what life is like as a CRNA after you graduate and pass your certification exam.

You may decide to become involved on the national level. My inspiration to get personally involved happened when my appetite got whetted having had the opportunity to sit on a national committee as a student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) - you can too - and visiting my state capital with other students and CRNAs. Maybe you will want to become involved in a local rotary club, charity events, or other community-based activities where you can educate your neighbors about your profession. Perhaps you might join a committee or task force in the facility where you work. Hard as it might be to believe, there are any number of hospital administrators, chief medical and nursing officers who do not know what CRNAs are or what an integral healthcare partner we are in the delivery of care to their surgical, obstetrical and pain patients.

As I undertake the privilege and responsibility of becoming your president of the AANA, I ask you to join me in celebrating your career choice and accomplishments so far. Dedicate yourself to your education and your patients as you prepare to transition into the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I look forward to meeting you someday and welcoming you as colleagues into our great profession and association.

These are the upcoming AANA meetings for the coming year ~ please try to attend at least one, and learn first-hand what a great association and profession awaits you!

• Fall Leadership Academu, November 11-13, 2011, Newport Beach, Calif.
• Assembly of School Faculty, February 23-25, 2012, San Diego, Calif.
• Mid-Year Assembly, April 15-18, 2012, Washington, D.C.
• AANA Annual Meeting, August 4-8, 2012, San Francisco, Calif.

Yours truly,

Debbie Malina, CRNA, DNSc, MBA
President
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists