Simulation in Nursing Anesthesia Education

Anesthesia care in the United States is delivered predominantly by physician anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. Approximately 22,000 nurse anesthetists represent 40%–50% of the actively practicing anesthesia providers in the United States.1,2 The scope of practice for nurse anesthetists, as described by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, includes a complete range of services including pre-anesthetic evaluation, development of anesthesia plans, administration of general and regional anesthesia, and provision of post-anesthesia care.3 Actual activities of nurse anesthetists vary from assi stive roles to independent practice arrangements. Most commonly, nurse anesthetists work together with anesthesiologists in anesthesia care teams. Nurse anesthetists are the sole anesthesia providers for 20–25% of the American public and may provide as much as 65–85% of the anesthesia care in rural settings.4,5,6