CANA

The California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is the professional state organization for CRNAs. CRNAs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).

The California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA) has always provided a voice for nurse anesthetists through biannual meetings, a regular bulletin, continuing education in anesthesia, and professional representation in Sacramento and Washington, DC. Today, Californians benefit from nurse anesthetists enjoy an independent scope of practice because of legislative and regulatory gains made by

CANA. Because nurse anesthetists provide cost effective and high quality care, they are an integral part of the answer to California's health care crisis. Nurse Anesthetists have provided quality anesthesia care and services for over 150 years. Today, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) administer approximately 34 million anesthetics in the U.S. each year to patients of all ages and acuities. CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is delivered: hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and pain management specialists; the U.S. military; Public Health Services; and Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities. CRNAs are recognized for providing the highest quality anesthesia care with reduced expense to patients, healthcare facilities, and healthcare systems. The cost-efficiency of CRNAs helps control escalating healthcare costs. CRNAs are critical to healthcare access. Nurse anesthetists are the primary anesthesia providers in rural America, enabling healthcare facilities in medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. CRNAs practice autonomously in a wide variety of settings in 82% of California’s 55 counties which provide surgical and obstetric services in the state. California is also home to seven rural counties that depend solely upon nurse anesthesia services. CRNAs are an integral part of health care reform. California’s nurse anesthetists possess the knowledge, skills, and professionalism that our state’s rapidly changing healthcare market requires and demands as it moves through the 21st century. Today, CANA serves as a leader to promote partnerships with local communities and other healthcare professionals in its ongoing mission to advance patient safety and provide access to the highest quality anesthesia care for all Californians.

05/25/2026

Many of our CRNAs have served in uniform alongside those we now honor today. This Memorial Day, we remember and honor our fallen heroes.

05/22/2026

Just a few days left to vote for the AANA Board of Directors, and the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is proud to support Jeffrey R. Darna, PhD, DNP, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAANA, past CANA President, for AANA Director-at-Large.

California CRNAs are leaders in clinical practice, education, advocacy, and professional service. Yet it has been some time since California and the West Coast have had representation on the national AANA Board of Directors. This election is an important opportunity to ensure that California’s voice is heard at the national level.

Jeff has served CANA, California CRNAs, and the broader profession with steady, thoughtful, and experienced leadership. As a former CANA President, he understands our state’s priorities, the challenges facing CRNAs, and the importance of strong national representation.

We encourage all current California CRNAs to participate in the AANA election and cast your vote using the secure voting link sent directly to you by AANA.

Support Jeff Darna for AANA Director-at-Large. Vote today.

05/21/2026

Strong enough to care for others, brave enough to ask for help 💚 May is Mental Health Awareness month, and your CANA family is shining a light on mental health in the CRNA community. If you're struggling, reach out - to a colleague, a friend, or a CANA Peer Assistance Advisor and canainc.org/members/peer-assistance/ . We are stronger together. What are your top picks to help rest and reset? Drop a comment below to let us know!

05/18/2026

An exhausting lineup in the OR. The cases that almost broke you. The 3am calls. The pressure of knowing someone's life is in your hands. CRNAs carry a weight most people never see. During Mental Health Awareness month, we're not just asking how you're doing. We're asking, "What keeps you going?" Is it the team that shows up with you every shift? The grateful patient's smile? Your family waiting at home? We truly want to know - what keeps you going? Drop it in the comments below 👇. One word, one sentence, one story. There's no wrong answer, and CANA wants to hear it!

05/14/2026

Mark your calendars, CANA's Virtual Spring Meeting will be here before you know it! See you May 30-31! Have you signed up yet? Drop a comment below and let us know!

Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/E4nC50YXJ8o

05/12/2026

Today, May 12th, marks both the close of Nurse's Week and the birthday of Florence Nightingale - the woman whose vision transformed nursing into a respected, evidence-based profession. CRNAs are a living extension of that legacy by delivering expert anesthesia care, advocating for patients, and pushing the profession forward, every single day. Happy birthday, Florence - the lamp is still lit. 🕯️💙

05/11/2026

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all of the incredible mothers in our CRNA community and beyond! 💙

This weekend, we celebrated the strength, compassion, resilience, and dedication that mothers bring to their families, patients, colleagues, and communities every single day. From caring for patients in the operating room to caring for loved ones at home, your impact is immeasurable.

Thank you for all that you do — not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. We hope you felt appreciated and celebrated!

04/17/2026

CANA President Kristen Roman, MSN, CRNA has published an op-ed in The California Health Report: California Must Defend Nurses or Patients Will Pay the Price, urging our state to take action to protect access to loans for nursing education.
https://www.calhealthreport.org/2026/04/16/opinion-california-must-defend-nurses-or-patients-will-pay-the-price/

04/15/2026

Register Now: CANA 2026 Virtual Spring Meeting May 30-31! Learn from CRNA experts and connect with other California CRNAs, SRNA/NARs, and our partners. No travel required – view the live presentations and interact with attendees and exhibitors from the comfort of your own home. Will we see you there? Drop a comment below!

https://ow.ly/haUE50YFW7H

04/10/2026

Did you know there are currently six CRNA programs in California? 🇺🇸✨ USC Keck School of Medicine, Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia, Loma Linda University, UC Davis, National University (Fresno), Samuel Merritt University. While each program shares the same goal (training the next generation of CRNAs) they each offer unique structures, timelines, and clinical experiences. Here’s a quick look at some of the similarities and differences between them 👀 Which program would you choose? ⬇️

04/09/2026

AANA Mid-Year Assembly is our profession’s largest advocacy event! Make your voice heard April 26th-30th in Washington, D.C. Develop your advocacy skills and put them into practice on Capitol Hill! Will we see you there? Let us know in the comments!

Nurse anesthesiology’s largest advocacy event in Washington, D.C. offers new connections, new strategies, and new skills.

Address

San Francisco, CA
94105

Telephone

+14156108499

Website

http://www.canainc.org/

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