National CRNA Week 2025: Perfect Mix of Advocacy, Networking and Fun

While this year’s celebration of America’s nearly 74,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and residents in nurse anesthesiology programs technically runs from January 19-25, plans for National CRNA Week 2025 are already well underway.

This year’s theme is “CRNAs: Exceptional Care. Innovative Leaders.” The theme illustrates how CRNAs safely administer more than 58 million anesthetics each year, delivering stellar care to patients who rely on creative leaders to protect them during their most vulnerable moments.

“This year’s theme acknowledges our education and training that put patients first,” according to a statement from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), the group that coordinates many of the activities during the celebratory week. “These advanced-practice registered nurses have a well-deserved reputation for providing safe, effective, efficient and compassionate care. For more than 150 years, CRNAs have enjoyed rewarding careers providing anesthesia care to patient nationwide.”

Since 2000, National CRNA Week has celebrated the long history of nurses as the nation’s first anesthesia providers. Nurses worked on Civil War battlefields and nurse anesthetists were the predominant anesthesia care providers on the front lines of World War I. CRNAs still play primary roles in the U.S. military in addition to improving access to safe anesthesia care to millions of civilians in hospital surgical suites, ambulatory surgical centers, rural areas and other settings.

“From collaborating for transformative wins in healthcare policy that advance patient care to providing patients with anesthesia care where they need it most, the unique expertise of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists helps ensure that communities are safe and healthy,” notes the AANA.

State AANA chapters are about to begin their celebrations of the rich history and promising future of these anesthesia experts from Jan. 19-25. AANA members attended a recent Multicultural CRNA Conference in Dallas. The Arizona Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AZANA) plans to visit the state capitol in Phoenix on Jan. 23., billing the event as a fun and flexible day to network with fellow members while engaging with legislators.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to network, advocate and showcase the strength of our amazing community!” says AZANA.

The Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA) will host a member meet-up on Jan. 25 in Natick with food, drinks and live music. AANA has a CRNA Week Toolkit that includes free resources to members that serve as helpful communication tools to raise awareness about CRNAs. Visit osmag.net/advocate for sample promotional copy, downloadable press-quality posters, and social and digital ads. The kit also includes a template that state lawmakers could use to designate an annual CRNA week in their state. The organization also has a variety of merchandise for sale to show off your pride at osmag.net/merch. OSM