The AANA Board of Directors is committed to keeping our members informed about significant matters affecting our Association. We want to share an update regarding two of AANA’s trademark applications.
As many may recall, the American Association ofNurse Anesthesiologyadopted its current name in August, 2020 as part of our effort to accurately represent the organization and the profession we serve. Leading up to that decision, other potential names were considered and in 2019, AANA filed for trademark protections for the additional business names "American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists" and "American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Anesthesiologists." With the 2020 decision to adopt our current name, the planned use of these other names shifted to potential future AANA business entities.
After careful deliberation, the Board has decided to withdraw the trademark applications for these two additional names.
This action does not affect the name “American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.” This decision does not prohibit the AANA from using either of these names, if we choose. Rather, it means that the Association will not pursue federal trademark registration for these names as business identifiers at this time. Nothing changes regarding our position on the profession, or our commitment to supporting CRNAs and nurse anesthesiologists in accurately describing their education, training, credentials, and role in healthcare.
In June 2024, the American Society of Anesthesiologists subsequently filed an opposition to those registrations with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), challenging the registration of the Marks.
For nearly two years, AANA has been engaged in the discovery phase of this matter. Now that the matter is moving beyond discovery, the legal costs associated with continuing the case could become increasingly substantial. Throughout this process, the AANA President and CEO met on multiple occasions with the President and CEO of the ASA in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Those discussions were conducted professionally and in good faith; however, they did not result in an agreement.
As fiduciaries of this Association, the Board has a responsibility to carefully steward member resources and to evaluate opportunities, risks, and costs through the lens of our mission and strategic priorities. After weighing the financial implications against the minimal benefits of pursuing trademark protection for these names, the Board concluded that voluntarily withdrawing the applications is the most responsible course of action.
The AANA, our members, and all CRNAs retain the right to use the title and descriptor Nurse Anesthesiologist, subject to applicable state laws. This withdrawal means only that the AANA will no longer pursue federal trademark registration for these Marks at this time. Our ability to accurately describe our profession, advocate for nurse anesthesiology, and advance the interests of CRNAs and our patients remains focused and unchanged. We’ve developed an FAQ on our website with additional information.
While others may choose to focus on rhetoric, our attention remains where it has always been: advancing the profession of nurse anesthesiology, advocating for patient access to high-quality anesthesia care, supporting our members, and protecting the future of CRNAs. These priorities will continue to guide the work of our Association.
Nursing Amendments Introduced in Senate Committee Markup
Rhode Island Enacts Safe Sedation Law
AANA Attends Governors Meeting
HRSANursingGrant Programs Now Open for Applications
AANA Celebrates 95 Years of Defining Standards in Nurse Anesthesiology
Q&A: The Evolving Role of Mentorship in Nurse Anesthesia Education
Advocacy Updates
Updates on Nursing Lawsuit on Loan Caps
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) joined as a plaintiff in the nursing-focused lawsuit led by the American Nurses Association (ANA), AANA, and other nursing partners. NRHA joined the lawsuit because it recognizes the vital role advanced practice nurses play in delivering care across rural communities and is concerned that the Department of Education's rule could make it harder for rural patients to access the healthcare services they depend on. NRHA believes that maintaining pathways to advanced nursing education is critical to ensuring patients can continue to receive timely, high-quality care close to home.
The lawsuit has been scheduled for a hearing on the preliminary injunction on July 1. The Judge will hear arguments from both sides at this hearing and decide about instituting a temporary order that would pause the implementation of the lower caps against advanced practice nursing students. This is just the first step in the lawsuit, so stay tuned for more updates.
The work in Congress to fix the misclassification of advanced nursing students also continues. Make sure to take action today and urge your members of Congress to join the legislative efforts to designate future CRNAs as professional students.
Senate Votes on Student Loan CRA
On Thursday, June 25, the Senate voted on the Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution that would have overturned the Education Department’s new rule on student loans. Congress has 60 days after rulemaking is finalized to vote to stop implementation of the rule and force the agency to go back to the drawing board. The vote failed on a party line vote, which was not entirely unexpected. Without passage of the CRA, the rule is currently set to go into effect on July 1. Sen. Jeff Merkley, who led the effort put out a press release condemning the Senate for failing to take action.
During the debate, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) who led Republican opposition to the CRA resolution, did note that he has concerns with the rule. He specifically highlighted CRNAs as one of the professions who should have access to the higher loan limits. During the debate, he said, “If there are a limited number of targeted subspecialties and professionals, I think of a CRNA, that are inadvertently and excluded by this rule, let's have a conversation. Let's measure their ability to pay back such a large loan. If that loan and the degree it pays for is necessary for their professional subspecialty, and importantly can they pay it back. CRNAs do well. I think we should have a higher loan limit for them because they're going to do well financially. To the point, it can be more expensive for them to have their training.”
The AANA is continuing to work with our champions in Congress to address the unfortunate rulemaking.
Nursing Amendments Introduced in Senate Committee Markup
The Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has introduced several amendments to S.3014 – The Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act in support of nursing. Among the amendments he proposed was an amendment that would provide $300 million to increase the number of nurse educators at nursing schools through increased grants awarded and provide loan assistance for qualified faculty. The amendment was similar to the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act, which AANA has supported. The amendment was tabled, meaning that it was not voted up or down, but set aside for later.
Sen. Sanders also proposed language to repeal the graduate degree loan limits imposed by H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill that passed last July and put in place the new federal student loan limits.This amendment was similarly tabled. The chairman of the committee, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), mentioned that he hoped to address some of the nursing issues at a July markup the committee was planning. AANA will continue to follow these developments and will work to advocate for passage of nursing priorities, including Title VIII Reauthorization and the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act.
Rhode Island Enacts Safe Sedation Law
Rhode Island SB 3184/HB 7740 was signed into law by Governor Daniel McKee on June 18. The law limits the use of general anesthetics by registered nurses and nurse practitioners, providing that nurses who are not CRNAs “shall not administer, initiate, titrate, bolus, or maintain medications classified as general anesthetics for inducing or maintaining procedural deep sedation or general anesthesia for elective, scheduled, non-emergent procedures outside of emergency, urgent, resuscitative, trauma, critical care, or urgent bedside procedural circumstances where delay would materially risk patient health or safety.” The AANA submitted comments in support of this legislation. The legislation was introduced at the request of, and supported by, the Rhode Island Association of Nurse Anesthetists, representing more than 190 CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists in the state.
AANA Attends Governors Meeting
On June 11-12, AANA State Government Affairs staff attended the Republican Governors Association Spring Policy Summit in Nashville, TN. Fourteen governors attended, along with a dozen Republican candidates for governor. The meeting included an industry breakout related to increasing access to healthcare and offered several opportunities to chat with governors and their staff. State Government Affairs staff discussed how CRNAs can increase access to healthcare when barriers like restrictive state laws or discriminatory reimbursement policies are removed. AANA is also a member of the Democratic Governors Association and will be attending their Summer Policy Conference next month.
HRSA Nursing Grant Programs Now Open for Applications
Both theNurse Faculty Loan Program(NFLP) and theNursing Workforce Development Program(NWD) are open toapplicants butwill close quickly in early July. The deadlines for applications areJuly 10 and July 8, respectively. Technicalassistancewebinars will be scheduled soon. The NFLPseeksto increase the number of qualified nursing faculty nationwide by providing low-interest loans for students studying to be nurse faculty and loan cancelation for graduates who go on to work as faculty. This includesadvanced practice registered nurses(APRNs) who work full-time as preceptors in academic-practice partnerships. The purpose of the NWD program is to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Significant News
AANA Celebrates 95 Years of Defining Standards in Nurse Anesthesiology
The AANA began on June 17, 1931, when 40nurse anesthetistsfrom 12 states gathered in a classroom at Lakeside Hospital in Cleveland. The meeting unfolded on a busy day for what was then Western Reserve University, with graduation exercises underway at Severance Hall and the dedication of University Hospitals taking place the same day. As Virginia S. Thatcher later wrote inHistory of Anesthesia with Emphasis on the Nurse Specialist, the nurse anesthetist meeting “went by unnoticed.” The decision made theredidnot.
Agatha C. Hodgins, a Cleveland nurse anesthetist and AANA’s founding president, called the group to order at 2:30 p.m. Kay Sheehan was elected secretary pro tem. Gertrude Fife made the motion, seconded by Aida Allwein: “That a National Association of Nurse Anesthetists be formed.” The motion carried, and by 5:30 p.m., the meeting had adjourned. Read more.
Q&A: The Evolving Role of Mentorship in Nurse Anesthesia Education
Mentorshipis playingan increasingly vital role innurseanesthesia education.As programsfacefaculty shortages, educatorburnout, evolving academic expectations, strong mentoring relationships can help faculty thrive, strengthen academic cultures, and develop future leaders.
In this Q&A, Hallie Evans, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, FAANA, Senior Director of Education and Professional Development at AANA, share insights on building intentional mentorship programs, promoting educator well-being, and preparing the next generation of nurse anesthesia faculty leaders. Read more.
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