The Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (KANA) is a nonprofit association whose purpose is to advance the profession of nurse anesthesia, enhance the art and science of anesthesiology, and facilitate the provision of accessible, affordable, high quality care. Membership is limited to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) who are members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). CRNAs are advanced practice nurses registered by the Kansas Board of Nursing Certification as a nurse anesthetist is granted through the National Board on Certification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). CRNAs must hold a current state license as a registered nurse, graduate from an approved education program, successfully complete the certification examination, and comply with continuing education requirements for recertification. Nurses were the first professional group to specialize in and provide anesthesia services in the United States (U.S.) in the 1880s. From that time to present, nurse anesthetists have administered the majority of all anesthetics in all settings nationwide. Nurse anesthetists carried the major burden of military anesthesia services for the U.S. during every armed conflict of the 20th Century. During World War I and II, they trained other nurses and physicians from multiple countries as anesthetists. In fact, it was not until after World War II that sizable numbers of physicians entered the field. Today, some 44,000 CRNAs are practicing in all states throughout the U.S. There are approximately 550 CRNAs actively practicing in Kansas, making up more than 70% of all anesthesia providers in the state. CRNAs administer more than 65% of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients each year in America, practicing in every type of setting in which anesthesia is delivered, working with and without anesthesiologists. CRNAs are the sole providers of anesthesia services to 70% of America's rural population---about 65 million people. In Kansas, more than 80% of the hospitals providing surgical services rely solely on nurse anesthetists for anesthesia care. CRNAs provide anesthesia and pain control in a variety of settings. They may practice independently, or they may work with anesthesiologists or with other physicians such as surgeons. The language "supervised" and "anesthesiologist" is not included in the Kansas Registered Nurse Anesthetist statues.