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The American Association of Nurse Anesthetics
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetics (AANA) is a nursing professional organization located in Park Ridge, III. The organization was founded in 1931 and is currently home to over 50,000 advanced practice nurses, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics. This nurse anesthetics administer all type of anesthetic and provide care for every type of surgery.
AANA strives to ensure patients are safe, practice excellence in the anesthetics field and advance its member’s profession. To achieve this AANA endorses education and practice standards and guidelines. The organization developed an accreditation system for nurse anesthesia education programs in order to sustain quality and competence as recognized credentials for professions trained in this field. AANA advocates for safe and effective anesthesia care for every patient. The organization has patient education resources with the necessary information for patients to grasp about anesthesia care. How they need prepare before anesthesia and care needed after anesthesia. Dedication to patient care and patient involvement in health care decisions improve health care outcome.
The AANA recognizes the importance evidence-based practice in optimizing the care accorded to patients who need anesthesia services. The AANA approved the integration and synthesis of the best research evidence with clinical know-how and patient values. AANA’s commitment to advance evidence based nurse anesthesia practice according to Thiemann & McFadden (2010) is shown by activities such as developing an evidence based policy and documents outlining steps to consistently resolve specific issues while implementing evidence based nurse anesthesia practice.
The AANA support concepts of professional nursing. It has an online professional practice manual available to its members. Members of AANA have free access to practice related documents and updates on the manual. In addition the board of directors approved development of online power point educational modules relating to evidence-based practice. Principles of conduct and professional integrity are spelt out in the code of ethic.
Concepts of professional nursing
Caring – The role of a nurse goes beyond patient contact at a health facility. The nurse is required to respect the uniqueness of each individual when delivering care and advance patient awareness in terms of patient education so as to promote health and prevent diseases (WCCC, 2013).
Communication– A nurse should have the ability or practice the ability to communicate with patients their families and health care teams. This means he/she possess good listening skills as well as good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Critical thinking– Using information from professional training, experience, evidence based practice and patient information the nurse should be in a position to make the best judgment and propose the most effective course of care for a patient (WCCC, 2013). Care that benefits the patient and keeps their family at ease.
Professionalism– A nurse is expected to do and carry themselves as their profession demands. Have the right attitude, proper grooming and abide by the set codes of conduct. The nurse should at all times put the needs of others before their own needs in order to serve. Most nurses have defined dress codes like uniforms.
Holism– This is a philosophy integrating the totality of humankind in body, mind and spirit in the healing process. A nurse should treat the symptoms as well as the person, wholesome care. For instance encouraging patients to practice meditation.
- Thiemann J. & McFadden J. (2010). Advancing evidence based nurse anesthesia practice. AANA Journal, 78(4) 279-281.
- WCCC (2013). Nursing programs philosophical concepts. Westmoreland County Community College. www.wccc.edu/…/philosophicalconcepts…