Exploring Strategies to Increase and Sustain Membership in the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

The total numbers of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the United States and members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) have risen to an all-time high. However, the percentage of CRNAs who are AANA members has been slowly declining since 2006, particularly among newly certified nurse anesthetists. To develop new strategies to increase and sustain CRNA membership, the AANA conducted a translational research project that explored evidence-based determinants of individuals' decisions to join professional associations, current membership practices and patterns, results of a recent member needs survey, and socialization of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) into the AANA. Membership patterns and results of an AANA member needs survey corresponded to evidence-based factors that influence the decision to join a professional association, such as perceived value of membership vs cost of dues, generational factors, and peer support/role modeling. All SRNAs are socialized into the AANA as associate members. However, their decision to remain members after entry into practice is strongly influenced by the cost of dues and possibly peer attitudes. Thus, wider promotion of dues payment options, positive peer support for membership, and ongoing member needs surveys to maintain member satisfaction may help increase and sustain AANA membership.