SR0012 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0012 LRB094 05125 CSA 35165 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Nurse Anesthetists were the first professional group to provide anesthesia in the United States and are the oldest recognized group of advanced practice registered nursing specialists; and

WHEREAS, These specially-trained registered nurses have completed a graduate-level educational program in a nationally accredited program of nurse anesthesia and, after graduation, are qualified to take the national certifying examination; and

WHEREAS, Graduates who successfully pass the examination can use the title, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and in addition, all graduates of nurse anesthesia programs in Illinois now receive a master's degree upon completion of the rigorous academic and clinical curriculum; and

WHEREAS, According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, more than 65 percent of all rural hospitals rely on CRNAs to provide anesthesia care, and without these advanced practice nurses, some 1,500 facilities would be unable to maintain trauma stabilization, surgical, and obstetrical capabilities forcing many rural Americans to travel long distances for such services; and

WHEREAS, Each year, CRNAs working in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, physician's offices, and the medical facilities of the United States military, veteran's administration, and public health service administer 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Over 1,200 CRNAs provide the highest quality patient anesthesia care in Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the period of January 23-29, 2005 be recognized as Nurse Anesthetists Week in Illinois to honor the importance of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and their role in providing accessible quality health care in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists.