National CRNA Week is the last full week in January and it commemorates the 60,000+ practicing nurse anesthetists that are in the U.S. This week has been observed for over two decades now and it brings attention to the almost 50 million anesthetics that are performed every single year. This week was previously known as National Nurse Anesthetics Week, but its name was changed after 2014 to its current name.

Nurse anesthetists work in a variety of medical settings including dental clinics, surgery centers, ophthalmology offices, pain management centers, hospitals, and doctor’s offices. Without their skill and dedication, none of us would be able to get many of the procedures that we need to stay healthy, happy, and pain-free.

Some Of The Services That Nurse Anesthetists Provide Patients

We thought that it might be helpful to list some of the services that nurse anesthetists provide for their patients. After all, these medical professionals don’t receive as much attention as professionals in other fields of endeavor. With that said, below are just some of the services that nurse anesthetists provide. We list them in the hope that they give people a new appreciation and respect for this honorable profession.

• Administer spinals, epidurals, and nerve blocks.
• Review the medical histories of patients to determine effective pain management solutions.
• Monitor patients’ vital signs.
• Inform patients of the risks and side effects of anesthesia.

Observing National CRNA Week

The best way to observe this holiday week is by giving your thanks to a nurse anesthetist. It’s also a good week for certified registered nurse anesthetics to tell the world about their profession. This can be done by speaking at a job fair or by speaking at a school.

It’s also a good day for employers to show their CRNAs the appreciation that they deserve. Online, people can use the hashtag #NationalCRNAWeek to spread the word about this week.