RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nurse anesthesia in California has been instrumental in shaping Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) practice nationally, but to date, no workforce data has been published on this group of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. PURPOSE: The purpose of this workforce study was to explore the demographic information, education, and practice patterns of CRNAs working in California. METHODS: Survey methodology was conducted to gather workforce data from a sample of licensed CRNAs working in California. DISCUSSION: California CRNAs provide anesthesia services in very diverse settings among different anesthesia delivery models, including independent practice. CRNAs practice in a majority of California counties and are the sole anesthesia providers for four underserved counties. CONCLUSION: The CRNA workforce in California is comparatively young, highly educated, and desires more education. CRNAs improve access to care for California patients; however, more ethnically diverse CRNAs and CRNAs with Non-Surgical Pain Management Certification are needed.
