AANA conference was a disappointment

At the risk of getting downvoted massively, I went to the AANA annual congress this year and I am so disappointed. It felt largely like a money grab, and it was extremely expensive for how few lectures/break out sessions/learning and engagement opportunities there were. I paid extra to attend some of their labs, and while one was excellent, the other was such a waste of time that I wouldn’t do it again even if it were free. I really think we could have done better.

I have never been one of those CRNAs who detest the AANA. I’m proud of my profession and want to push myself (and the profession) to grow, and I thought in the past that the AANA was an important part of that effort. I also believed that it’s important to have a group lobbying for us. But now I’m not so sure. Politically, I am not sure they’re really serving CRNAs, but instead serving themselves. And as for education/access to benefits of membership, I am not impressed. I’m seriously considering not renewing my membership this year.