Victory for Veterans: Minneapolis VA Unleashes Full Potential of Nurse Anesthetists

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is celebrating a landmark decision from the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, which has officially empowered Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to practice to the absolute pinnacle of their extensive education and training. This pivotal move is a resounding victory for veteran care, promising to significantly enhance access to crucial healthcare services for those who have bravely served our nation.

AANA President Dru A.

Riddle, DNP, CRNA, FAAN, lauded the Minneapolis VA's proactive leadership, emphasizing that this decision exemplifies a commitment to optimizing patient care. By recognizing and fully utilizing the advanced skills of CRNAs, the VA is not only streamlining its healthcare delivery but also setting a precedent for efficient and high-quality service.

This progressive step aligns perfectly with the VA's overarching mission: to provide world-class, cost-effective care to every veteran.

CRNAs are highly skilled anesthesia professionals, undergoing rigorous training that includes a master’s or doctorate degree and thousands of hours of clinical experience.

They are the sole anesthesia providers in nearly all rural hospitals and provide the majority of anesthesia in combat zones. Their expertise is undisputed, and their safety record is comparable to that of physician anesthesiologists. Allowing them to practice without unnecessary restrictions means veterans can receive timely, expert care, unhindered by outdated practice barriers.

This decision from Minneapolis mirrors the VA's broader directive to improve healthcare efficiency and access.

The VA's own studies and numerous national reports, including those from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine), have consistently highlighted that healthcare systems perform best when all healthcare professionals are allowed to practice to their full scope.

Removing these barriers enables better patient flow, reduces wait times, and ultimately delivers more comprehensive care.

For the veterans served by the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, this means a tangible improvement in their healthcare experience. The ability of CRNAs to autonomously manage patient anesthesia from pre-operative assessment through post-operative recovery ensures seamless and expert care.

This move also reinforces the value of interdisciplinary collaboration within the VA system, fostering an environment where every healthcare professional can contribute their utmost to veteran wellbeing. The AANA continues to advocate for nationwide implementation of full practice authority for CRNAs across all VA facilities, recognizing that every veteran, regardless of their location, deserves access to the highest standard of care delivered by fully empowered and skilled professionals.