American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional association of nurse anesthetists in the United States. The organization states that it has a membership of more than 52,000, includes certified (CRNA), recertified, and student members. The organization represents approximately 90 percent of nurse anesthetists in the United States. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Retrieved June 15, 2018</ref> The AANA headquarters is currently located in Park Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
The AANA held its first meeting on June 17, 1931. Agatha Hodgins organized the event, inviting members from the Alumnae Association of the Lakeside Hospital School of Anesthesia and other nurse anesthetists from across the United States. As a new organization, it had two main objectives: establish a national qualifying exam, and establish an accreditation program for nurse anesthesia schools. The first national certification exam was held on June 4, 1945, with 92 candidates sitting for the exam.
The AANA has accredited nurse anesthesia programs since January 19, 1952. The organization was recognized as an accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education in 1955.