VANA CRNAs/SRNAs: Midyear Assembly and Lobby Capitol Hill

VANA CRNAs/SRNAs Plan to attend the Midyear Assembly and Lobby Capitol Hill

By Patti Bright, CRNA, VANA FPD

Have you ever sat down and pondered your career as a nurse anesthetist? Have you ever wondered what it has taken to keep our organization as strong and viable as it has been for the last 75 years? Sure there have been many bumps in the road and we still have a long way to go to have the perfect profession, but you have to admit we have a great career. In the past CRNAs, just like yourself, have stepped up and volunteered time and energy to make this happen.

My first day of anesthesia school seems just like yesterday. My director Anne Newton stood up and welcomed my classmates and myself to the great world of Nurse Anesthesia. Then she went on to say that, if we thought we had come just to learn, graduate, then go about our career never participating in the function of the VANA or the AANA we were wrong. She informed us starry eyed student that it is the duty and responsibility of each of us to become involved and stay involved. Her words still ring in my ears and I have to say, that she grounded me to the fact that our organization remains strong because of our involvement.

Mid year assembly is a very intense fact finding adventure that culminates with CRNAs from all over the country lobbying Capitol Hill. If this sounds overwhelming and not for you; let me tell you a little secret. It’s not. This is one of the most empowering and rewarding experiences that you can have as a CRNA. The AANA team in Washington works all year to promote our profession and let Congress know where we stand on our issues. But it is up to us – the CRNAs to educate our legislators as to what we do and what we are. Remember our legislators work for us. They want to know our concerns.

If this has sparked any interest please consider attending the Mid-Year Assembly. The meetings educate you on our issues, trains you to lobby, and provide you with everything you need to go to the hill. If you can’t make the meeting you can still participate. The VANA will be going to Capitol Hill on Tuesday afternoon, April 15th and all day on Wednesday, April 16th.

You will not be alone; you will be partnered up with other CRNAs that feel comfortable with lobbying. Each year students join us on the Hill and by the 3rd office visit, they are pros. I know April is a long way off, but as CRNAs we need to plan ahead to get time off from our work place. Please plan on helping with this endeavor. After all, we are in Virginia and within driving distance to Washington D.C. I challenge each and every CRNA and SRNAto try and participate this April. I promise you will not be disappointed. You will come