Apply to become a Fellow of the AANA (FAANA) and celebrate your impact within the nurse anesthesiology profession.
Consideration for Fellows of the AANA is open to any CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist who is an Active (including Emeritus) member of AANA with an established career in nurse anesthesiology.
Who is eligible? View the full criteria below.
The application consists of:
Nov. 1, 2025: Application opens. The application for the Class of 2026 is now open.
Feb. 2, 2026: Applications due 12 PM (CT)
May 2026: Applicants are notified of the selection committee results
August 2026: Class of 2026 Fellow inductee candidates will be required to attend the induction ceremony at 2026 Annual Congress in Boston, MA. Inductee candidates that do not attend the ceremony, will not be considered a Fellow of AANA until they attend an induction ceremony.
Consideration for Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is open to any individual who is an active (including emeritus) member of AANA with an established career in nurse anesthesiology.
The candidate must meet the following eligibility requirements:
The nature of the contributions to the profession of nurse anesthesiology made by the applicant may take many forms. The Fellows application is designed to assist you in determining your eligibility for candidacy for FAANA.
Additional application information to be evaluated includes:
Complete the online application.
Please Note:
Members of the AANA Board may not:
Members of the AANA Foundation Board may not:
*AANA CRNA staff that qualify for the Fellows designation may submit an application for consideration.
The application deadline is noon CT on Feb. 2, 2026. We will not accept late submissions. In order for an application to be considered “COMPLETE”, all tasks/requirements of the application must be fulfilled, and full payment submitted before the deadline.
If you have questions or need assistance, Contact Us.
The nature of the enduring contributions to the profession of nurse anesthesiology may take many forms. The Fellows application is designed to assist you in determining your eligibility for candidacy for FAANA designation.
Q: Do AANA state meetings count as professional meeting attendance regarding the requirement?
A: Applicants should demonstrate consistent professional participation and engagement. Applicants will not be penalized for being unable to attend national meetings due to work or scheduling constraints.
Q: Do you give feedback on applications?
A: No, feedback on applications is not provided. Applicants who are not selected are encouraged to seek input from trusted colleagues regarding their contributions and how those contributions are articulated within the application.
Q: How many letters of recommendation can be submitted?
A: Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation.
Q: Is there a required font for essays or the CV?
A: No, however the Selection Committee recommends a professional and easy-to-read font.
Q: What should you highlight in the CV?
A: Key contributions and areas of sustained impact should be highlighted to facilitate recognition by the Selection Committee. Leadership roles—such as serving as a committee chair, organization president, or in other significant capacities—can also be emphasized to underscore professional engagement and demonstrate a consistent record of leadership and contribution to the field.
Q: Is there a specific number of applications that are accepted each year?
A: No. Applicants are not in competition with one another, and there is no predetermined minimum or maximum number of individuals accepted each year. Each application is evaluated independently and considered on its own merits.
Q: May I use AI to help create components of my application?
A: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies may not be used in the preparation of Fellows of AANA application responses or recommendation letters.
Q: Why apply for the FAANA designation?
A: Earning the FAANA designation is a major career achievement that opens doors for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists as practitioners, educators, researchers, and advocates for the profession. The FAANA designation communicates a commitment to excellence in the profession of nurse anesthesiology.
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Consideration for Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is open to any individual who is an Active (including Emeritus) member of AANA with an established career in nurse anesthesiology. The candidate must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Q: What’s the application deadline?
A: The online Fellows application deadline is noon CT on Feb. 2, 2026. A completed application containing all required items and the $250 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted before this deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Q: What do I need to submit?
A: In addition to completing the online application, the following must also be submitted:
Q: Who can provide letters of recommendation?
A: The three (3) letters of recommendation may be provided by: A current Fellow of the AANA, a Fellow of another healthcare organization; a senior-level executive in your professional institution; a supervisor or department head at your facility; a program director or educator in your educational institution; professional peer. The individuals should be very familiar with your work and be able to articulate the specific impact of your contributions and achievements.
NOTE: Letters of recommendation will not be accepted from current Fellows Selection Committee members, current AANA Board members, current AANA Foundation Board members, and current AANA staff at the time of application.
Q: Should I submit my application materials together or separately?
A: All application materials must be submitted together through the online submission process. Emailed documents will not be accepted.
Q: What happens if I start the application and have to stop before it’s completed?
A: The application will be saved, and you can return at any time before the deadline to finish and submit the completed application.
Q: What if I forget to go back in and complete and submit my application?
A: A reminder email will be sent to the email from which the application was received prompting you to finish and submit your application, however, it is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure everything is submitted before the deadline.
Q: How will I know if you received my application?
A: Confirmation emails will be sent to the email address used for the application.
Q: When will I know if I am selected to be a Fellow?
A: Applicants will be notified of the Fellows Selection Committee decisions in May 2026. New Fellows candidates will be inducted at a ceremony held during the 2026 AANA Annual Congress in Boston, MA. Attendance at the Induction ceremony is strongly encouraged.
Q: Are there dues to be a Fellow?
A: Yes. FAANA designation is maintained for $150 annually. This is in addition to your AANA Membership dues.
Q: When are these dues to be paid?
A: An email will be sent after induction with a link to pay Fellows membership dues. These are to be paid before September 1, 2026. Starting with your next dues renewal cycle in 2026, you will be invoiced annually for your AANA membership dues and Fellows dues at the same time.
Q: How do I maintain my FAANA designation?
A: Active AANA members who are inducted as Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology shall retain the privilege of the FAANA designation as long as they:
Q: What if I’m not chosen as a Fellow?
A: If an applicant is not selected as a Fellow, they may reapply and submit a new application with the required documentation and application fee each year, as often as they choose. The $250 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each new submission.