Clinical Pain Management

Clinical Pain Management Overview

CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists play a vital role in providing accessible, safe, cost-effective pain management services. The AANA supports CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist pain management practice though federal and state advocacy, education and professional development opportunities, clinical practice guidance, and resources.

An interdisciplinary team approach that uses a multidimensional pain strategy and integrates the patient’s unique experiences and perspective may help achieve effective pain management and treatment with the goal to improve the patient’s well-being, functionality, and quality of life.

As advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are uniquely skilled to deliver pain management in a compassionate and holistic manner. CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists provide chronic pain management services in various settings, such as hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), offices, and pain management clinics.

By virtue of education and individual clinical experience and competency, a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist may practice chronic pain management utilizing a variety of therapeutic, physiological, pharmacological, interventional, and psychological modalities in the management and treatment of pain.

AANA Pain Management Guidelines and Education

Chronic Pain Management Guidelines

AANA Pain Management Practice Education

Addressing Substance Use Disorder for Anesthesia Professionals

Pain Clinic Organization and Function 

Certification and Accreditation

National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

Disclaimer

The resources on this page may incorporate or summarize views, guidelines, or recommendations of third parties. Such material is assembled and presented in good faith, but does not necessarily reflect the views of the AANA. Links to third-party websites are inserted for informational purposes and do not constitute endorsement of the material on those sites, or of any associated organization.