Behind every safe surgical experience is a highly trained anesthesia professional ensuring patients receive expert, compassionate care at every stage of their procedure. During National CRNA Week 2026 (January 18–24), we recognize and celebrate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for their critical role in modern healthcare and their lasting impact on patient outcomes nationwide.

For more than 150 years, CRNAs have delivered high-quality anesthesia care across a wide range of clinical settings. Today, they remain essential members of healthcare teams — providing anesthesia for millions of procedures each year in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics, and critical access facilities.

As healthcare systems continue to face workforce shortages, rising surgical demand, and access challenges, the value of CRNAs has never been more evident.

Delivering Consistent, High-Quality Anesthesia Care

CRNAs are advanced practice nurses with specialized education and extensive clinical training in anesthesia and pain management. Their expertise spans the full continuum of care, from preoperative evaluation and anesthesia delivery to postoperative recovery and pain control.

This comprehensive approach allows CRNAs to respond quickly to patient needs, manage complex cases, and collaborate seamlessly with surgeons, physicians, and care teams — all while maintaining a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and patient-centered care.

Strengthening Access to Care Across Communities

In many rural and underserved areas, CRNAs are the backbone of anesthesia services. They often serve as the primary anesthesia providers in critical access hospitals, enabling facilities to continue offering essential procedures such as emergency surgeries, obstetric care, and pain management services.

By supporting these facilities, CRNAs help keep healthcare local — reducing the need for patients to travel long distances and ensuring communities retain access to the care they depend on.

Advancing Safer Pain Management Strategies

As healthcare continues to prioritize responsible pain management, CRNAs play a key role in advancing multimodal and non-opioid approaches. Through techniques such as regional anesthesia, nerve blocks, and enhanced recovery protocols, CRNAs help improve patient comfort while supporting faster recoveries and reduced opioid exposure.

These evidence-based practices reflect a broader commitment to improving outcomes while addressing long-term public health challenges.

Supporting the Future of Anesthesia Care

Demand for anesthesia services continues to grow, driven by an aging population and increased procedural volume. At the same time, many states are expanding practice authority for CRNAs, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their education and training.

This evolution not only improves access to care but also strengthens healthcare systems by increasing flexibility, reducing bottlenecks, and supporting team-based care models that work.

CRNAs are not only meeting today’s needs — they are helping shape the future of anesthesia care.

Why National CRNA Week Matters

National CRNA Week is an opportunity to recognize the expertise, leadership, and dedication CRNAs bring to patient care every day. It’s also a time to acknowledge nurse anesthesiology residents preparing to enter this vital profession and to reinforce the importance of policies that support sustainable, high-quality anesthesia care nationwide.

Honoring CRNAs — This Week and Every Week

At Caliber, we’re proud to support CRNAs at every stage of their careers. Whether advancing access to care, improving patient outcomes, or exploring new professional opportunities, CRNAs play a central role in the strength of our healthcare system.

If you’re a CRNA considering your next step — or a facility seeking experienced anesthesia professionals — Caliber is here to help connect the right people with the right opportunities.

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