Founded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., the AANA is the professional organization for more than 49,000 nurse anesthetists. As advanced practice nurses, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) administer approximately 40 million anesthetics in the United States each year.

CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. They administer every type of anesthetic, and provide care for every type of surgery or procedure, from open heart to cataract to pain management.