MISSION
The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) is an international organisation representing nurse anesthetists serving the public and its members.The mission of the federation is dedicated to the precept that its members are committed to the advancement of educational standards and practices which will advance the art and science of anesthesiology and thereby support and enhance quality anesthesia care worldwide. The IFNA establishes and maintains effective cooperation with institutions that have a professional interest in nurse anesthesia.
VISION
The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) is the authoritative voice for nurse anesthetists and nurse anesthesia, supporting and enhancing quality anesthesia care worldwide. As professionals, nurse anesthetists are recognised for their significant contribution to global healthcare as nurses, practitioners, teachers, administrators, researchers and consultants. The IFNA participates in the formulation and implementation of healthcare policy and the recognition of nurse anesthetists as essential and cost-effective health care providers.
DEFINITION OF NURSE ANESTHETIST
A Nurse Anesthetist is an Advanced Practice Nurse who has the knowledge, skills and competencies to provide individualized care in anesthesia, pain management, and related anesthesia services to patients across the lifespan, whose health status may range from healthy through all levels of acuity, including immediate, severe, or life-threatening illnesses or injury.
Source: Adapted from the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Guidelines on Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse Anesthetists (2021).
OBJECTIVES
To promote cooperation between nurse anesthetists internationally.
To develop and promote educational standards in the field of nurse anesthesia.
To develop and promote standards of practice in the field of nurse anesthesia.
To provide opportunities for continuing education in anesthesia.
To assist nurse anesthetists’s associations to improve the standards of nurse anesthesia and the competence of nurse anesthetists.
To promote the recognition of nurse anesthesia, innovation, and continuous improvement.
To establish and maintain effective cooperation between nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists and other members of the medical profession, the nursing profession, hospitals and agencies representing a community of interest in nurse anesthesia.
To improve access to safe anesthesia care and universal health worldwide.
FUNCTIONS
To promote continual high quality of patient care
To provide means of communication among nurse anesthetists throughout the world
To serve as the authoritative voice for nurse anesthetists and nurse anesthesia internationally
To promote the independence of the nurse anesthetist as an advanced practice nurse
To advance the art and science of anesthesiology.
OFFICERS (2026-2028)
Hui-Ju Yang, Taiwan
President
Kristian Civka, Croatia
1st Vice President
Mary Mungai, Kenya
2nd Vice President
Zorica Kardos, Slovenia
Treasurer
Jackie Rowles, USA
Executive Director
EXECUTIVE COMMITEE (2026-2028)
Antonia Ballesteros, Spain
Nico Decock, France
Manda Dunne, United Kingdom
Outi Huhtala, Finland
Vera Meeusen, Australia
Mohamed Mouhajir, Morocco
The IFNA has developed Standards of Education, Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics for Nurse Anesthetists. Models of Nurse anesthesia program curriculum have been prepared by the Education Committee. The IFNA previously recognized as Professional Resource Group, is now Affiliate member to ICN (International Council of Nurse) to be the voice for nurse anesthesia internationally. An international study done by Dr. Maura McAuliffe, American CRNA, for the IFNA has demonstrated on its first phase that nurse anesthetists are participating in more than 80% of all anesthesia in the world. They are the sole providers in 60% of the cases.
COUNTRY MEMBERS
- Luxemburg
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Türkiye (associate member)
- United Kingdom
AFRICA
- Benin
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ethiopia
- Ivory Coast
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Sierra-Leone
- Tanzania
- Tunisia (Associate member)
- Uganda
- Zambia