October 2026

What fresh ideas can I bring back from EDGE 2027?

What are the requirements to serve as a delegate to the AANA Education Committee?

In this issue:

• Resources on CMS requirements for RRNA/SRNA clinical learning opportunities
• EDGE 2027 registration is open and early bird ends Nov. 17
• Examine how well your program prepares residents to care for patients with IDD
• Apply to serve as a delegate to the AANA Education Committee

Protect RRNA/SRNA clinical learning opportunities

Questions about CMS hospital requirements have raised concerns about resident participation in anesthesia teaching cases. CMS rules recognize SRNA participation in anesthesia cases under appropriate supervision; there is no basis to warrant the removal of residents or the need to change bylaws or policies.

AANA's fact sheet, statement, and Joint Commission guidance can help you clarify requirements, address questions with clinical sites, and support policies that preserve essential hands-on clinical learning opportunities.

Bring fresh ideas back to your students from EDGE 2027

Great teaching shapes the next generation of nurse anesthesiology professionals. Join fellow educators and program administrators at EDGE 2027, Feb. 25-28 in Dallas, to explore innovative teaching strategies, tackle challenges facing nurse anesthesia programs and discover new ways to strengthen student learning. Return with fresh ideas, valuable connections and up to 16.5 MAC Ed credits.

“Students today require a tremendous amount of support at a variety of different levels. I think there's a lot of solutions to those challenges at a meeting like this.”

— Stephen (Steve) Flaherty, PhD, CRNA, APRN, FAANA 

Don’t miss early-bird savings. Register by Nov. 17 to save $100.

Turn intellectual and developmental disabilities research into action for your residents

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a timely reminder of the importance of disability inclusion. How well does your program prepare residents to care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? This conversation guide helps you lead a 15-minute faculty discussion to identify where IDD care is addressed in your curriculum, how residents learn to adapt patient communication and care, and where faculty and preceptors may need additional support.

Identify one actionable step to strengthen resident preparation and explore the AANA Journal research that informed the guide.

Help shape the future of nurse anesthesia education

Your experience as an educator can help influence the future of nurse anesthesia education. Apply to serve as a delegate to the AANA Education Committee, a two-year leadership opportunity for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists who spend at least half their time teaching nurse anesthesia residents.

Applications are due Dec. 13, 2026.

Upcoming important dates and deadlines 

Upcoming Podcast Episode

Nov. 17
Airway Exchange Episode on Teaching Advocacy 

Deadline

Dec. 4
Peer Pathways at EDGE 2027 

Deadline

Dec. 13
Delegate to the Education Committee nominations 

Event

Feb. 25–25, 2027
EDGE 2027

For your residents:

Deadline

Oct. 30
AANA Foundation Application deadlines

Deadline

Oct. 31
Resident Advocate Program application

Have an idea for a future newsletter topic? Let us know.  

We want this newsletter to reflect the priorities, challenges, and innovations shaping nurse anesthesia education. Share the resources, discussions, or topics you would like featured in future issues.

Key Educator Resources

• Educator Hub 

• Program Administrator Hub 

• Educator Edge 

• AANA Journal 

• Resident Hub 

• Resident Newsletters 

• Educator Network online community 

As a nurse anesthesia educator, you play a vital role in shaping the next generation of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. Each issue of Educator Insights delivers curated resources, essential practice updates, and professional development to support both your teaching and your residents' success. 

Stay connected. Stay informed. Empower the future of nurse anesthesiology.