Updating A State Association Name
State associations for CRNAs should consider taking out a DBA (doing business as) name, or changing their legal name, for following reasons:
To prevent “name squatting”: Name squatting is the practice of registering a domain name or trademark that is similar to a well-known brand or trademark with the intent to sell it to the rightful owner for a profit. By taking out a DBA name, state associations can prevent other parties from registering the name "X state of Nurse Anesthesiology" before them and demanding a fee to transfer ownership.
To show commitment to the change: Taking out a DBA name is a tangible step that shows members and the public that the state association is serious about promoting the profession as expert-level practitioners. This simple step can help to build support for the change and make it more likely to be successful.
To protect the reputation of the profession: By taking out a DBA name, state associations can protect the reputation of the nurse anesthesiology profession and ensure that the new name is used in a positive and professional manner.
Overall, there are many compelling reasons for state associations of nurse anesthetists to take out a DBA, to change their name, or to take a legal vote on changing their entity name. Doing so would help to protect the state association's interests and ensure that the name change is successful and beneficial to all involved. Reserving the name is a simple action that can be done to preserve the ability to take more action in the future.
Promotion of the Profession's Identity
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" is more distinctive and memorable than the term "nurse anesthetists." Thishelps promote the profession's identity and visibility to the public as experts.
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" is more likely to resonate with the public because it highlights the profession's focus on patient care. The public understands that anesthesia is a specialized field of medicine that requires highly skilled and experienced professionals. The public does not automatically equate “anesthesiologist” with physician, even though may be the understanding within certain healthcare communities..
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" is more likely to attract new students and practitioners to the profession. This would help to ensure the continued growth and development of the profession.
Advocacy and Policy Change
The term “Nurse Anesthesiology" gives CNRAs a stronger voice in advocacy and policy change efforts. When speaking about the profession, CRNAs could use the term "nurse anesthesiology" or “anesthesiology” alone to emphasize the unique and expert-level contributions of CRNAs make to the field and practice of anesthesia.
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" can help to educate policymakers about the role of CRNAs in the healthcare system. Policymakers would be more likely to support policies that benefit CRNAs and their patients when they understand the unique value and high-level of expertise that CRNAs provide.
The term “Nurse Anesthesiology" can help to build public support for CRNAs and their role in the healthcare system. When the public understands the importance of CRNAs, they are more likely to support policies that support the CRNA profession and our patients.
Accuracy and Clarity of the Profession's Scope
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" more accurately reflects the scope of practice of CRNAs and professionals in their own right, and not inherently an assistant to another profession. CRNAs are not just professional nurses who provide anesthesia care. They are also experts in the science and practice of anesthesiology with advanced degrees and training, and a great deal of responsibility in the clinical arena.
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" highlights the unique contributions of CRNAs to the field of anesthesia and it follows that regulatory change (e.g. scope of practice laws) should follow suit. CRNAs are responsible for a wide range of services, including pre-operative assessment, intraoperative care, and post-operative recovery.
The term "Nurse Anesthesiology" and Nurse Anesthesiologist are more consistent with the terminology used by other healthcare professions, such as physician anesthesiologist, dentist anesthesiologist, and so on.