Chemical dependence (addiction) is the NUMBER ONE health risk associated with the practice of anesthesia (whether you are a doctor OR a nurse). Fortunately, the American association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) has taken this disease seriously and chosen to meet this challenge head on! The group has over 25 years experience in carrying the message of recovery to it’s membership. It’s a shame the rest of the nursing profession can’t take the same steps for the entire profession that the AANA has for it’s members!

When I began as Ohio’s Peer Assistance Advisor in 2005, I never expected to be receiving more phone calls and email from nurses than CRNAs! After about 3 years, it became clear to me nurses were looking for help but really had no centralized resource to call upon. That’s the reason I founded Peer Advocacy for Impaired Nurses in late 2008.

If you’re a student nurse anesthetist (SRNA) or CRNA, follow this link to find the peer advisor in your state. If you’re in Ohio, call me at 513-833-4584 or call my fellow peer advisor, Gregg Rampleman at 513-532-7876.

Follow this link to the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) web page regarding substance abuse and chemical dependence in the anesthesia provider.

The OSANA main page can be found here.

The AANA Peer Assistance site is here. Their Wellness information can be found here.

Watch video clips from the “Wearing Masks” videos on the University of Maryland Medical Center website.