Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Qwiigley · Feb 18, 2009, 11:45 AM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Keep the dues at the current amount, but the innerworkings of the AANA should cut operating costs. We all have to tighten our belts, so should OUR organization. Get rid of the pork.

foraneman · Feb 18, 2009, 11:10 PM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

The original post is ill-informed and...well absurd...no offense.

First of all, committee members are NOT jetting around the country for tea and spa weekends. Video conferencing makes no sense once one understands the way the committees work and meet. In September, ALL of the committees meet at the Joint Committee Conference at the Chicago O'hare Marriott (what a WONDERFUL vacation spot...take the kids), and after a combined morning session they break off into individual committee meeting rooms. For 2 1/2 days a HUGE amount of work is done, often regarding issues that impact more than one committee. As needed one committee can get immediate input/info/project details from a committee meeting down the hall. Can't do that with video conferencing. Additionally the idea that the AANA BOD and committees should somehow work productively together without ever having met in person, especially in a political climate, is utter nonsense.

Other complaints: AANA staff allegedly get more days off around Thanksgiving and X-mas (what...2-3?) than the apparently the OP...who then wonders what other fancy smanshy perks and benefits there must be. (OP has no clue what the facts are...just imagines there must be something fishy)

Oh, and then....the class of mail that the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists uses for this or that is too fancy (despite the need for tracking for vital documents). You LOSE all credibility when a). You can only come up with petty nonsense to ***** about and, b) you have no idea that the CCNA is independant of the AANA and has nothing to do with your dues complaint.
Membership in the AANA has nothing to do with re-certification.

I mean....what the.....

What the AANA needs are people who value their membership enough to learn the basics about the organization that fights on their behalf for federal legislation, Medicare reimbursement, state laws and dozens of other 'minor' details some CRNAs haven't the time to learn anything about.

FROM THE WEBSITE:

The National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of Illinois. It consists of two councils — the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists and the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists — who have autonomous authority to carry out their respective credentialing functions.

GasManStevo · Feb 20, 2009, 03:48 PM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

even though the original poster made some inadvertent mistakes, he is correct that the AANA can cut costs a lot. the truth is, they would probably achieve more with less if they had better leadership. just because other professional organizations overcharge their members, does that justify the AANA doing it also? To me, the anser is a resounding no. There is no question that the AANA can accomplish the same by cutting the fat. every business is doing this, so why not the AANA?

secondly, since we are talking about the AANA. the AANA needs a total makeover. It is made up of a lot of long time incumbents recylcing old ideas. Why do you think they have been so ineffective fighting the AA's. They are in 18 states now. Did you know that John's Hopkins director of anesthesiology introduced a bill in the maryland legislature to permit AA's to practice there and for Hopkins to create an AA program? Do you know what that means for you? it means AA programs will start everyone and your job security is going way down. And the reason the AANA keeps losing is because their defense is fictitious and that is that AA's are unsafe. There is way too much evidence to show the contrary. So what does the AANA and MANA need to do to stop it? First, come up with a new argument such as that there are 5000 crna students right now and the need will be filled shortly. The AANA would do much better if it would communicate with members to get ideas before they issue stupid ficitious position statements.

the aana would be a much better organization if they ushered in a complete change, including costs, reasoning for position statements, and how all of these processes are done.

sccrna · Feb 21, 2009, 07:19 PM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Gasmanstevo, yes you are correct that we need more people running. Are you one of them? Have you served on your state board of directors or on a national committee or as an officer? If not, why? On average it takes one of our dedicated CRNAs around 7 - 8 years of active service to become President of our organization. By the time the work their way up the state system, serve on the board, then as a lower level officer and finally as president. Have you done that. If not then don't complain about our having people serving who have been around for awhile. To serve as an officer of this association you must have passion for our profession and you must be willing to give of your time. I am proud of our officers and those who serve us and our profession.

As for the AAs, that is an issue that unfortunately we probably will not win. The ASA has a great deal of money from their PAC that they expend at the state level to push their agenda. How much money did you give last year to our PAC? We have great national and state officers but they cannot do it on their own. In most states the state organizations are begging for members to become active and help. We need serious members who understand our organization, are willing to give of their time and money and who have a passion for what we do.

cessnadriver · Mar 02, 2009, 09:32 AM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

I am not a huge fan of the AANA for reasons I will not go into here, but can be found on other forums. The AA issue is a direct result of the absolute contrarian attitude of the AANA dealing with the ASA. The AANA would not budge an inch... soo the ASA did an end run around them.. viola AAs. The AANA is protecting the rural solo practitioner at the expense of the large hospital ACT " stool monkey".

In addition, the AANA is unresponsive to concerns of their members on issues dealing with the image and treatement of CRNAs on the net, again not to be covered here but can be found on other forums.

foraneman · Mar 24, 2009, 02:47 PM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Originally Posted by GasManStevo

even though the original poster made some inadvertent mistakes, he is correct that the AANA can cut costs a lot. the truth is, they would probably achieve more with less if they had better leadership. just because other professional organizations overcharge their members, does that justify the AANA doing it also? To me, the anser is a resounding no. There is no question that the AANA can accomplish the same by cutting the fat. every business is doing this, so why not the AANA?

secondly, since we are talking about the AANA. the AANA needs a total makeover. It is made up of a lot of long time incumbents recylcing old ideas. Why do you think they have been so ineffective fighting the AA's. They are in 18 states now. Did you know that John's Hopkins director of anesthesiology introduced a bill in the maryland legislature to permit AA's to practice there and for Hopkins to create an AA program? Do you know what that means for you? it means AA programs will start everyone and your job security is going way down. And the reason the AANA keeps losing is because their defense is fictitious and that is that AA's are unsafe. There is way too much evidence to show the contrary. So what does the AANA and MANA need to do to stop it? First, come up with a new argument such as that there are 5000 crna students right now and the need will be filled shortly. The AANA would do much better if it would communicate with members to get ideas before they issue stupid ficitious position statements.

the aana would be a much better organization if they ushered in a complete change, including costs, reasoning for position statements, and how all of these processes are done.

SOME inadvertent mistakes? Not understanding in the least how the organizations committees work AND having no argument except there must be waste because I think there is but I really don't have the facts....are not inadvertent mistakes.

Let's hear some informed examples of how/where costs can be cut 'alot' without decreasing the effectiveness of the organization.....not just blanket statements. What is this 'fat'? The AANA is not 'every business', as most do not have offices/members/issues in every state. I never cease to be amazed that people making $150,000 annually think their less than $1000 anual dues are an 'overcharge' for working to protect the profession and that salary. How much would you suggest since 0.5% is too much?

We elect the AANA leadership every year by popular vote. Sometimes there is only ONE candidate running for a position. Who is to blame for that? The AANA also?

'Come up with a new argument' I assume does not mean make things up', so graduation of SRNAs over the next decade filling even the loss of retiring CRNAs (average age 48 right now) much less creating a net gain is out.

And by the way, the Maryland AA legislation was defeated March 11 thanks to the lobbying and senate testimony of MANA lobbyists, members and officers....paid for with AANA dues.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that there are ~1000 AAs and over 35,000 CRNAs...AND that AAs have existed for many decades. AA programs 'starting everywhere' and job security scares are poppycock.

daudi · Mar 24, 2009, 08:30 PM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

I do agree with you

jwk · Apr 02, 2009, 09:30 AM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Originally Posted by foraneman

And by the way, the Maryland AA legislation was defeated March 11 thanks to the lobbying and senate testimony of MANA lobbyists, members and officers....paid for with AANA dues.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that there are ~1000 AAs and over 35,000 CRNAs...AND that AAs have existed for many decades. AA programs 'starting everywhere' and job security scares are poppycock.

Defeated means it came up for a vote - it didn't. The legislation was withdrawn. "Paid for with AANA dues" would be correct though. You should ask yourself how much money is spent on illegally fighting AA legislation at every turn. Restraint of trade and perjury are both illegal - sooner or later this crap will catch up with you.

And if "job security scares are poppycock", then again, why spend so much money on the fight? What exactly is it that you are so afraid of?

jwk · Apr 02, 2009, 09:32 AM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Originally Posted by mammothsnw

OK so...$645 is .0043% of the avg CRNA yearly salary....most make more than that in a day. I'm an SRNA with $0 income and I probably spend that much on coffee in a year...I have to agree with Mr. Zwerling...The AANA is a great advocate for our profession, and I would glady pay double those dues...

I hope your math for your drug calculations is not off by a factor of 100. If "$645 is .0043% of the avg CRNA yearly salary", then the average yearly salary is $15,000,000.

foraneman · Apr 02, 2009, 03:37 PM

Re: Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Originally Posted by jwk

Defeated means it came up for a vote - it didn't. The legislation was withdrawn. "Paid for with AANA dues" would be correct though. You should ask yourself how much money is spent on illegally fighting AA legislation at every turn. Restraint of trade and perjury are both illegal - sooner or later this crap will catch up with you.

And if "job security scares are poppycock", then again, why spend so much money on the fight? What exactly is it that you are so afraid of?

Defeated:

1. The act of defeating or state of being defeated.
2. Failure to win.
3. A coming to naught; frustration: the defeat of a lifelong dream.
4. Law The act of making null and void.

The bill was withdrawn by its sponsors in the house after an unfavorable report was made after the Senate heard testimony in committee. It was withdrawn because it would have been a waste of the house's time to discuss it after the senate's report. Defeat is certainly an appropriate term for a proposal which is deemed to have so little support that discussion, much less a vote on it is pointless.

But thanks anyway for your useful contribution regarding AANA dues. Non-AANA members clearly have reason to opine.

New To Site	Need Help	Quick Links
Create An Account General Site Map allnurses.com Journals Terms Of Service Privacy Policy Testimonials Meet Our Staff Advertising Information	Information Center & FAQ Boards of Nursing How-To Video Tutorials Did you forget your password? Compare Membership Contact allnurses.com Text Version Mark All Sections As Read	United States Nursing International Nursing Nursing Specialty Advanced Practice Nursing Critical Care Nursing Nursing Specialties Get In Touch... Find Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter

Time for the Lowering of Dues at the AANA?

Nursing News

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't

Air Force RN Force RN Found Not Guilty

Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

An outlook in California?

Nursing Articles

Society Needs Care Too

Why am I doing this, anyway?

Nurse Heal Thyself

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

I made it through

An angel's gaze

A Sister Never Forgets

Ruby's Marbles

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

My Little Old Jedi

I love this job......

"I hear voices"

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

Error and Attitude

It's Just a Shower

Available Topics (tags)