Networking

AANA Annual Congress Recap (From an SRNA Who Has Attended 3 Year Straight)

Ashley, CRNA

CRNA

September 26, 2025 · Updated July 31, 2026 · 5 min read

AANA Annual Congress Recap (From an SRNA Who Has Attended 3 Year Straight)

In This Article (7 sections)

How Can You Plan Early and Save on AANA Congress?
Can the AANA Annual Congress Double as a Mini-Vacation?
How Do You Network at the AANA Congress?
Why Visit the AANA Congress Exhibit Hall?
How Do You Pick the Best AANA Congress Lectures?
How Do You Get the Most Out of AANA Congress?
Our Final Thoughts

Ever wanted to be in a room surrounded by more CRNAs and SRNAs than you can count? The AANA Annual Congress is for you! Attending the AANA Annual Congress provides invaluable networking opportunities, educational sessions, and insights that can significantly benefit your career as a nurse anesthetist. 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.

Quick Answer Attending the AANA Annual Congress offers invaluable networking opportunities and insights into the latest in anesthesia practice. Registration, hotel, and flights add up, and student rates change from year to year, so check the AANA site for the current numbers and plan early.

How Can You Plan Early and Save on AANA Congress?

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 : budget a few hundred dollars as an SRNA (CRNAs pay more, sorry friends). Student rates have gone up each year I have attended, so check the current rate on the AANA site rather than trusting a number in a blog post. What you pay also depends on how many days you attend, and it goes up if you add any 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!

Can the AANA Annual Congress Double as a Mini-Vacation?

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!

How Do You Network at the AANA Congress?

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.

Why Visit the AANA Congress Exhibit Hall?

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 modern tech demos, to health and wellness stations (Yes, free massages and even puppy cuddles!)

How Do You Pick the Best AANA Congress Lectures?

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

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 Strengthen 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!)

How Do You Get the Most Out of AANA Congress?

ultimately, 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!

For those considering CRNA programs, our school comparison tool is invaluable. And don't miss our application planning timeline to keep you on track. For more information on CRNA certification, visit the NBCRNA website. To understand the role of CRNAs in healthcare, check out the AANA site.

For more on starting your journey, see How to Become a CRNA and CRNA School Requirements.

Our Final Thoughts

Attending the AANA Annual Congress can greatly strengthen your career in nurse anesthesia. Remember to make the most of this opportunity by planning ahead, networking effectively, and enjoying the experience. The CRNA Club is here to support you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does AANA Annual Congress registration cost for SRNAs in 2025?

Student registration has run a few hundred dollars in the years I have attended, and the rate has risen each year, but AANA sets it annually so check their site for the current student number instead of trusting a figure in a blog post. What you pay depends on how many days you attend and goes up if you add optional workshops, like the advanced airway simulation from Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia, which was an additional $25. Total conference expenses including hotels at $200-300 per night and flights can add up quickly, so booking early and splitting accommodations with friends helps manage costs.

What networking opportunities are available specifically for SRNAs at AANA Congress?

AANA Congress brings together thousands of SRNAs from across the country for unmatched networking opportunities. Many sessions are specifically tailored to residents, creating natural connections with peers at the same training stage. The resident luncheon is a must-attend event for meeting fellow students, while social media helps you discover happy hours and mixers hosted by major anesthesia groups and locums companies throughout the week. The Nurse Anesthesiology Pride Foundation mixers are particularly popular networking events that provide valuable connections in a relaxed setting.

Can I use AANA Congress as vacation time while still getting educational value?

AANA Congress can absolutely double as a mini-vacation while providing continuing education credits and professional development. The conference includes lectures and labs but also builds in breathing room for recharge time between sessions. Recent additions include a Resident Study Hall open from 8am to 6pm where attendees can complete assignments or study between sessions. This addition is particularly valuable for students attending during their didactic phase of the average 36-month program length, allowing them to stay current with coursework while gaining conference benefits.

What can I expect to find in the AANA Congress exhibit hall besides vendor booths?

The exhibit hall offers much more than traditional vendor displays, functioning like adult trick-or-treating with extensive freebies and prize raffles. Beyond anesthesia groups recruiting new graduates, you'll find modern technology demonstrations and comprehensive health and wellness stations. The CRNA Club notes that exhibits range from equipment demos to unexpected perks like free massages and puppy cuddle stations for stress relief. Booths also feature educational displays about the latest anesthesia techniques and equipment, making it both entertaining and professionally valuable for students preparing for boards.

Which AANA Congress lectures should I prioritize as an SRNA preparing for practice?

Choose lectures that align with your interests and clinical gaps, such as pediatric pearls for occasional pediatric cases or cultural differences in pain management. Standout sessions include advanced airway simulation workshops, opioid-free anesthesia techniques, and resident-specific panels about transitioning from RRNA to CRNA practice. The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (https://www.aana.com) provides detailed session descriptions to help you select the most relevant educational content for your career goals and current training phase.