New Clinical Coordinator Toolkit Provides Well-being Resources for Residents

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Managing their own well-being while juggling personal and school responsibilities can be a major challenge for resident registered nurse anesthetists (RRNAs) . The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has compiled a toolkit of wellness resources to help nurse anesthesiology program coordinators support RRNAs in prioritizing well-being in school and throughout their careers. Nurse anesthesiology educational programs range from 36-51 months, depending on university requirements. Programs include clinical settings and experiences.  

“Ask any CRNA, and they will tell you their time as a resident was exciting, rewarding, but also demanding and often stressful,” said Donna Keeney, DNAP, MS, CRNA, APN, chair of the AANA Wellness Committee. “As the association representing more than 65,000 of America’s CRNAs and RRNAs, AANA supports and advocates for members from the first day of their educational program through all stages of their career. We take seriously the importance of urging residents to care for themselves along with their patients.” 

Produced by AANA’s Wellness Committee, the Clinical Coordinator Toolkit provides recommendations and links to AANA and national resources relating to six components of well-being: Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Social, Occupational, and Spiritual. Topics covered include sleep, physical activity, nutrition, substance use disorder, suicide prevention, effective engagement and teaching strategies, burnout, workplace civility, mindfulness, and more. 

The toolkit is available in digital format or as a paper brochure. To access the toolkit, visit AANA.com/HWEducation.