This question was posed: To
all AANA BOD candidates: Communication is a 2 way street. What do you plan to
do to improve relations and communication with the NBCRNA other than threaten
to replace them, since it is highly unlikely that the AANA has the financial
means to replace the NBCRNA?
If you really are set
on threatening replacement, what is your plan to pay for such a costly endeavor?
My response:
Thanks for the question.
From my position statement: The AANA
must have positive, collaborative relationships with our certifying and
accrediting bodies with reasonable and appropriate representation; the secrecy
between the groups must disappear. The
NBCRNA CPC implementation has been extremely controversial, and I experienced
the negative membership feedback in Alabama first hand as President when the
rollout was mishandled. Years later,
there still is not a fully constructed program.
I believe that the not-for-profit NBCRNA and its vast reserves of
hard-earned money from AANA members must keep testing costs low, ensure ease of
accessibility to testing, and offer the practice tutorials for free.
In addition to those thoughts, we must have at least 2
members on the NBCRNA BOD. This gives us
at least the option to put forth a motion and one to second. But, we also need
a liaison to the NBCRNA BOD as well. Why
– so that we have someone who is not bound by a confidentiality agreement to
share information to the AANA BOD and members.
As the CPC program continues to be constructed, we must have transparency
to the AANA members – the reason the NBCRNA has millions of dollars – with regards
to the testing and all that goes with the testing.
The reason I don’t see the AANA severing ties with the NBCRNA
today is not because of the money. It is
because of the logistics behind credentialing and recredentialing. I am due to recertify this year. If we cut ties with the NBCRNA, is there
someone prepared to recertify me right now?
How about the students who are graduating? Who will administer their certification test
today? I feel that options have been
looked at, but I don’t know that a full plan is ready to be place for the AANA
to just walk away at this point. However,
if we do not have AANA representation on both the NBCRNA BOD and as liaison(s),
or if the current leadership and staff at the NBCRNA continues to be unreceptive
to the requests and needs of the AANA, it will be time to cut ties.
With regards to the CPC, though I disagree with the rollout
of the program, I am in favor of recertification exam. Of the three anesthesia providers, at this
time we are the only group without a recertification exam. I see this as only strengthening our practice.
As a pediatric practitioner, I have
voiced my opinion to the NBCRNA on thoughts to those in specialty
practice. We need to ensure the
questions truly to apply to CRNAs in every setting.
Please visit me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRankinforAANA
Please visit my website: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherRankinforAANA
I look forward to hearing from you throughout this campaign!
