Oregon CRNA’s

About ORANA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are well-established, proven-safe and cost-effective anesthesia providers. Oregon currently has more than 450 CRNAs serving Oregonians in all care settings, 40% of whom practice in the non-metropolitan and rural regions of Oregon. ORANA itself dates back to 1935 and is the professional association for CRNAs who preside or practice in the region. Nearly 93% of all CRNAs working in Oregon belong to this professional organization.

About Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)

Who are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA's)?

CRNA's are anesthesia specialists who administer anesthetics for surgical, obstetrical and other operative or pain management procedures.

Prior to being "certified" as a registered nurse anesthetist, a CRNA must:

·        Complete a baccalaureate registered nursing education.

·        Gain significant experience in critical care nursing.

·        Complete a 2-3 year anesthesia clinical residency.

·        Successfully complete the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists' certification exam.

Rural Communities

CRNA's provide over 80% of the anesthesia in Oregon's rural communities. This includes the coast, central and eastern Oregon, as well as many of the small rural hospitals in the Willamette Valley. The rural Oregon CRNA frequently serves alone in his or her community as the anesthesia and resuscitation expert.

Metropolitan Communities

CRNA's practice in a variety of arrangements in the metropolitan area. In hospitals they may practice independently, or they may practice in a CRNA/Anesthesiologist collaborative manner. CRNA's also practice in Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Dental and Medical offices.

Learn More

  • Demands a solid Registered Nursing background with significant experience in hospital critical care prior to admission. The anesthesia component of the education often occurs alongside anesthesiology residents in a university affiliated institution.

  • Are validated in numerous studies which indicate no difference in anesthesia care between CRNAs and Anesthesiologists. However, a 1990 study by the Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA), now (CMS) estimated that it costs $84,837 a year to prepare an anesthesiology resident, in comparison to $11,741 annually for a CRNA.

  • Was established by a 1990 economics Research Study that concluded that better utilization of CRNAs would save the nation 1 billion dollars annually by the year 2110.

  • Was established in 1935 to represent nurse anesthetists in Oregon and to ensure that the high-quality independent anesthesia services they deliver, will be available to all Oregonians.

COMMITTEES

  • EDUCATION

    This committee shall be responsible for planning and executing the annual membership meetings. They will have responsibility for developing, planning and presenting other educational programs, as determined necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors.

  • GOVERNMENT RELATIONS (GRC)

    This committee shall work with and under the direction of the Board of Directors in matters pertaining to legislation and legal situations that may lead to legislation or legal action involving CRNA practice and the Association.

  • PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATION

    This committee shall work with and under the Board of Directors to educate the general public and the medical community, promoting the role of the CRNA in health care. They encourage member participation by providing tools for communication with the officers and board, and among each other.

  • PAC

    The ORANA PAC provides a voice to CRNAs and works to advance the profession of nurse anesthesia. This committee organizes fundraisers and works with the lobbyist and Government Relations team to provide financial support to the election campaigns of candidates who are influential to CRNAs’ public policy interests.

  • BYLAWS

    This committee considers proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of ORANA and drafts them in proper form for submission to the members at the annual meeting.

  • NOMINATING

    The Nominating Committee is charged with identifying persons interested in serving on the Association’s Board of Directors and Officers. The Committee shall solicit nominations for potential board members from the ORANA membership.

  • FINANCE

    The Finance Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the financial management of the Association.

  • MICRO VOLUNTEERS

    Bite-size volunteering with no commitment to repeat and with minimum formality, involving short and specific actions that are quick to start and complete.

ORANA'S HISTORY

AANA HELPLINE

AANA Helpline is open to any CRNA, Resident, or someone who knows a CRNA or Resident struggling with drug or alcohol concerns. This helpline is completely confidential and is answered 24/7 by trained addiction professionals.

  • AANA peer assist (24 hour) 800 654 5167

  • Suicide Prevention Hotline 800 273 TALK (8255)

  • More information available at AANA Helpline