Over the years, there has been an ongoing controversy over whether or not nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) should be allowed to administer anesthesia. There are various legal issues regarding nurse anesthetists ranging from the illegal practice of anesthesia to physician supervision requirements. A nurse anesthetist is a specialized nurse who has been trained to administer anesthesia, which is drugs that induce loss of pain or sensation. These types of nurses are registered and have completed additional years of college to be able to practice anesthesia. At a minimum, it takes seven calendar years to become a nurse anesthetist. And before completing their studies, the average CRNA student completes 2,500 clinical hours and administers at least 850 anesthetics (AANA). So ask yourself. Would you feel comfortable letting a “nurse” administer anesthesia before your surgery? The first documented case of anesthesia being performed by civilian nurses dates back to 1870 in the Midwest. Sister Mary Bernard, founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Kansas, entered St. Vincent Hospital in Pennsylvania to train as a nurse. Only twelve months later did he assume the obligation of anesthesia in the hospital (Nagelhout, Plaus 3). His efficient administration of anesthesia caused this practice to be repeated throughout the Midwest and eventually throughout the United States. In 1900, Agatha Hodgins went to Cleveland, Ohio, to work at Lakeside Hospital. Eight years later, Dr. George Crile chose her as a nurse anesthetist. Together with Crile, Agata initiated the use of nitrous oxygen anesthesia, introduced during the First World War, and opened a large school for anesthetist nurses. That's when the nurse anesthetist... middle of paper... totally disagreed with this. Dr. Debbie Malina countered by arguing that it could easily be demonstrated that nurse anesthetists handled all types of surgical procedures regardless of the type of physician or anesthesiologist supervision. Malina added that nurse anesthetists had little to no restrictions regarding the cases they were involved in, the different types of anesthetics they could administer and no limitations on the types of facilities they could work in. But, due to many technological advances, the critical nature of anesthesia, and the increase in the number of sick and “sick” people, doctors believe that supervision of CRNAs is more essential than ever. Several CRNAs added that they were able to provide competent and efficient healthcare to all patients, as most CRNAs were primary healthcare providers in rural areas. (Medscape)