Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists (AVANA)

About:
In 1973, twenty-six (26) VA CRNA’s created AVANA. From the beginning, education has been our first priority. In 1974, the first educational workshop was held in Des Moines, Iowa. Annual educational symposiums have continued in various locations nationwide.

Objectives:
• Promote quality and safe anesthesia services to the veteran patient
• Provide continuing education for VA nurse anesthetists
• Enhance communication among all VA nurse anesthetists, members of the medical and nursing profession and those persons and organizations impacting the VA Health Care System
• Support the recruitment and retention of nurse anesthetists
• Endorse utilization of CRNA skills to the maximum breadth of their clinical scope of practice and education as well as departmental management and administration
• Encourage academic excellence with use of evidence based practice