Arguments for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist

“Nurse Anesthesiologist,” , on its own, is self-evident. Notably, AANA bylaws specifically reference anesthesiology. This section will review the arguments for acknowledging “Nurse Anesthesiologist.”

Special thanks to Gregory Y. Harris, JD, for his significant contributions to the following two sections. Mr. Harris has been recognized as his peers as a respected national voice on administrative, regulatory and healthcare law and was the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Description of work of a CRNA - are CRNAs practicing anesthesia or anesthesiology?

The first question is whether the “nurse anesthesiologist” accurately describes the legal scope of practice a CRNA may perform. The resolution of this question would be governed by the scope of practice in each state. If a CRNA has the legal authority to make clinical decisions about the delivery of services that include anesthesiology (i.e., the determination of dosing and administration of anesthetics and delivery of anesthesia services), then the use of the term would meet the objective of describing the work to be done – and which is capable of being done – by the CRNA.

Nurse Anesthesiologist is not misleading as it uses the word “nurse” in the title.

On its face, “nurse anesthesiologist” truthfully reports that the person using the title is a nurse. This modifier should be sufficient to satisfy concerns that the use of the term might be creating the false impression that user is a medical doctor.

Likewise, assuming a CRNA has the legal authority to make clinical decisions about the delivery of services that include anesthesiology (i.e., the determination of dosing and administration of anesthetics and delivery of anesthesia services), then the use of the term “nurse anesthesiologist” would truthfully convey accurate information that the user is legally permitted to perform those services.

Nurse Anesthesiologist is protective in states with laws prohibiting representing oneself as a physician.

Commonly, nurse anesthetists are confused for physicians because the scope of their services overlaps both medicine and dentistry significantly. Numerous CRNAs have reported this phenomenon; some CRNAs simply state they are “with anesthesia.” This ambiguity could reasonably lead a patient to conclude that a nurse anesthetist is a physician, and nurse anesthetists who do not clarify may be in violation of the law. As such, “nurse anesthesiologist” can afford these members legal protection by distinguishing themselves as nursing professionals rather than medical doctors.

Public perception research indicates “anesthesiologist” is merely descriptive and not assigned to a single profession

Research from the ASA indicates that the majority (55%) of the country does not recognize an “anesthesiologist” as a physician. They are correct since both nurses and physicians can accurately lay claim to the title. Physicians apparently recognize this as well, as they have consistently begun to use the term “physician anesthesiologist.” It is not uncommon for surgeons and patients to refer to the CRNA as an “anesthesiologist” while being fully cognizant of their nursing education. Therefore, use of “nurse anesthesiologist” to describe CRNAs would not be confusing. Rather, the term would be clarifying and likely remove confusion regarding the role of the CRNA as a fully qualified and often independent provider of anesthesia.

Language and etymology

Both “anesthetist” (one who administers anesthesia) and “anesthesiologist” (one who has studied the science of anesthesia) are accurate titles for expert CRNAs and physicians specializing in anesthesia. While dictionaries may refer to a physician performing anesthesia as an “anesthesiologist,” dictionaries can be updated, whereas the etymology of words remains intact despite updated definitions.