Council on recertification of nurse anesthetists policies and procedures.

for recertification and the procedural rules for recertification review. This document is published in this June issue of the AANA Journal so that those interested may direct comments concerning the recertification criteria and procedures to the Council. The deadline for receipt of comments is August 1, 1979. Upon reviewing any material received, the Council will then publish the finalized documents. Directors of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists realized that evidence of continued professional excellence was becoming increasingly important in our society. Therefore, they directed the AANA Education Commit.-tee to study the issue of recertification. At the AANA Annual Meeting in 1969, a bylaw was changed to provide certificates to members who had dem.-onstrated they had completed clinical and didactic experiences reflective of the changes in anesthesia practice within a five-year period. The program was optional to all members. The Council on Recertification recognizes that continuing education is an essential component to maintain minimal qualifications for standards of practice and that the profession carries responsibility for establishing such standards for continuing education activities. The rapidly changing character and increased complexity of our society demand continued updating of one's knowledge, understanding, and skills. It is evident that any improvement in standards and expectations cannot be met without the continuous involvement of knowledgeable and skillful professionals engaged in an ongoing, lifelong growth process. It is recognized that practitioners accept individual responsibility for their own actions. This responsibility includes participation in effective continuing education offerings. Nurse anesthetists are legally and ethically responsible for the quality of their individual practice. A characteristic of a profession is that its members accept collective responsibility for the quality of service offered to the public. At the AANA Annual Meeting in 1976, the members amended the bylaws to provide for mandatory continuing education for recertification of active practicing nurse anesthetists. This provides one means to assess current levels of education and knowledge of practitioners. A mandatory continuing education program was adopted by the AANA membership at the Annual Meeting, with full implementation effective August 1, 1978.