Ever wanted to be in a room surrounded by more CRNAs and SRNAs than you can count? Annual Congress is for you! Get ready for a week full of lectures, networking, and more lanyards than you ever thought possible. After attending the AANA Annual Congress three years in a row, I’ve learned a few things.
1. Plan Early and Save
Start saving early because between flights, hotels, tickets, and the occasional overpriced latte, it adds up fast. Pro tip:
> Book early for cheaper tickets and accommodations
o Conference Registration: ~$400–$600 for SRNAs (CRNAs pay more, sorry friends).
- Registration increases every year as the number of attendees goes up!
- 2023: $280, 2024: $295, 2025: $398
- This will depend on how many days you attend and will also increase if you decided to attend any additional registration workshops (more on this later)
> Hunt down those hotel discounts
o Hotel: ~$200–$300 per night if you’re in the official block (4–5 nights adds up quick).
You can choose to stay at the partner hotel of the event – AANA usually has a discount code
o Stay with friends to split this
> Don’t forget flight and/or gas costs!
2. Treat It as a Break (Sort Of)
If you can swing it, let the conference double as a mini-vacation. Yes, there are lectures and labs, but there’s also a little breathing room to recharge. Think of it as “self-care with CE credits.” At this most recent Congress, they even allotted a location for a Resident Study Hall from 8am to 6pm where anyone could pop in to get some assignments done. As someone who attended her first Congress during the thick of didactic, this is an amazing addition to the program. It’s all about balance!
3. Network Like a Pro
The real secret sauce of the AANA conference? Networking.
> Many sessions are tailored to residents, so you’ll meet tons of people at the same stage
o Don’t miss out on the resident luncheon!
- Instagram and social media are your best friends—Happy Hours and mixers pop up all over
o Many major anesthesia groups and locums companies throw these events, free drinks anyone??
> My personal fav? The Nurse Anesthesiology Pride Foundation (NAPF) mixers. 10/10, would attend again.
4. Exhibit Hall = Candy Store for Adults
Do not skip the exhibit hall. Trust me. It’s basically trick-or-treating for grown-ups.
> Freebies galore
> Raffles for the bold and lucky
> Booths range from anesthesia groups recruiting, to cutting-edge tech demos, to health and wellness stations (Yes, free massages and even puppy cuddles!)
5. Pick Lectures That Spark Joy
Pro tip: Go to the lectures that excite you. A few gems:
> The advanced airway simulation from Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia
o An additional $25 registration but totally worth it!
> Whatever else speaks to your inner anesthesia nerd
o Here is a list of lectures from this year to give you an idea of the wide range of topics
- — Video Laryngoscopy in Modern Anesthesia Practice: Is There a Clear and Safe Advantage?
- — Pediatric Pearls for the Occasional Pediatric Anesthetist
- — The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy: Facts vs Faith
- — Understanding Cultural Differences in Pain Presentation to Enhance Nurse Anesthesia Care
- — Resident Session: Demystifying the Transition from RRNA to CRNA: A Panel Discussion
- — Black Maternal Crisis and Racial Disparities in Labor Pain Management – The Role of CRNA in Equitable Anesthesia Care
- — Perioperative Management of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: An Update
- — Opioid Free Anesthesia in Orthopedic Trauma: When Regional Anesthesia Is Not an Option
- — Push It! But Which Vasopressor?
- — Dexmedetomidine for the Parturient: A Survey for Pioneering Safe and Effective Labor Exposure
- — Medical Malpractice – Mock Deposition
Sometimes there are multiple presentations going on simultaneously – it’s okay to go to different lectures than your friends!
And don’t forget—once you’re registered, download the conference app. It’ll save your life when you’re trying to figure out which ballroom you’re supposed to be in. (And you can download the PowerPoints directly from the app, take notes, etc!)
Final Rule: Have Fun!
At the end of the day, the AANA Annual Congress is what you make of it. Whether you’re there for the knowledge, the networking, the free swag, or the puppy snuggles (no judgment), dive in and enjoy.
Want to know more about attending AANA meetings and how to network? Plus meet up with other applicants at events so you don’t have to go alone? We’ve got resources and networking opportunities for you inside our CRNA Club Membership!
