2008-2009 President's Message
As Paul Werbin becomes your Past President, I say Hello to you as your new President of the Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (VANA). I only hope to continue leading VANA down the path initiated by Paul in an effort to aid Virginia CRNAs in their efforts to continue providing safe quality anesthesia to our patients.
We are all proud to be CRNAs. But being a CRNA is not just going to work for a certain amount of time each day. Think about the times you are not at work. Certainly most of your “time off” has nothing to do with anesthesia. But what about those “many” times when others inquire about what you do for a living? Think of all the various explanations you provide in an effort to make them understand just what you do. Think of all the folks you speak with that have no idea what a CRNA is much less what a CRNA does. Now let me carry this one step further, think of all the legislators that make the rules and regulations that affect your scope of practice—your patient care. These legislators govern your professional life, but have no idea of who we are or what we do. We are the only ones who can inform them—the AANA, VANA, but more importantly you—the CRNA. Legislators are people who can take the bag out of your hand or make your practice better with the stroke of a pen. Lets continue on the path toward success.
We, your CRNA representatives, are your voice, your advocates, the leaders you have chosen. It is now up to you to express your thoughts. You can contact us via email, the VANA Office (office@vana.org), snail mail, by phone and/or face to face. You are VANA and it is only you that can make it work in your best interest. This does not require a lot of your time. I know your time is valuable. A mere few minutes on occasion are all it takes. As CRNAs you owe it to yourselves to take control of your future. Make us work for you! That is what we want to do most!
That being said, it is with your help that this will be accomplished. VANA is not asking you to devote all of your free time. However, VANA is asking you to check this website, look it over, log on to the members area, read the Monitor, stay informed on what your state association is doing to protect your practice or even make your practice better. If you prefer not to use the computer, then please read the Monitor when it arrives in your mailbox. VANA is asking you to be informed on what your association leaders are doing for you. Let us know what bothers you, your ideas on options to explore, or your opinions about the direction VANA follows. Our goal is to improve the professional life of the CRNAs in Virginia. Those of you that work with or are friends with VANA board members and committee chairs, please speak your mind. It only takes a few minutes of your time to stay informed of the current events in your state—Virginia. Make us make it happen for you!
I look forward to being your President, but more importantly I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Mike Black, CRNA
President
Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists
