Take the next step toward becoming a CRNA — with California CRNAs in your corner.
RN-APRN Membership
Are you a registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) planning to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist here in California?
CANA's RN/APRN membership connects you directly to the people who know California's CRNA landscape best: the practitioners, program faculty, and recent graduates who live and work in this state. Whether you're building your ICU experience, assembling your application, or deciding which California program fits your goals, CANA gives you the local insight national resources can't.
Membership in CANA is included with your AANA membership when you designate California as your primary address — no separate application and no additional fee.
Application for membership requires a license ID. Please allow 7 business days for your application to be reviewed.
Membership follows an annual cycle ending each August. Join now to access your exclusive RN-APRN membership benefits through August 31, 2026 (with renewal in September).
Who is this membership for?
RN-APRN membership is built for California nurses working toward CRNA school, including:
- ICU and critical care nurses
- Emergency department nurses
- Perioperative and PACU nurses
- Nurse practitioners across specialties
If you've already been accepted into a nurse anesthesia program, you may be eligible for a different membership category.
Your Member Benefits
NAR/SRNA Workshop — with a dedicated RN Q&A Breakout
CANA's annual Nurse Anesthesia Resident / Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (NAR/SRNA) Workshop brings together current residents, faculty, and prospective applicants for a virtual meeting. RN/APRN members get access to a special Q&A Breakout session designed specifically for RNs preparing to apply to CRNA school — a direct line to ask the questions that don't have easy answers online: what programs actually look for, how to strengthen an application, and what the transition into a program really demands.
Networking at annual meetings
Membership includes discounted registration and networking opportunities at CANA's annual meetings, where you can meet practicing California CRNAs, program directors, and residents face to face. These connections are often where mentorships start and where you learn how practice and admissions actually work across different California settings.
Faculty interviews from CA CRNA Programs
Log in to the Member Info Hub under Resources to access exclusive recorded interviews with program faculty from California's CRNA programs. Hear directly from the people evaluating applications about what distinguishes a strong candidate, how their programs differ, and what they wish applicants understood before applying.
Plus national benefits through AANA
Your membership also unlocks AANA's national RN-APRN resources. Explore the full RN-APRN Resource Hub, which includes:
- RN-APRN article library — practical guides on choosing a program, preparing for interviews, building a pre-program financial plan, and the RN-to-CRNA transition
- Ask a Resident — perspectives directly from current nurse anesthesia residents
- AANA Journal — online access to the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
- AANA clinical practice resources — including the Professional Practice Manual and scope-of-practice materials