The global organization of nurses in anesthesia: The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists

• Establishment of IFNA in 1989 by 11 countries.
• Currently representing 40 countries.
• IFNA is committed to the advancement of educational standards, practices of NA and quality anesthesia worldwide.
• IFNA has the CanMEDS role model as the conceptual framework for its Standards and Code of Ethics.
• The APAP promotes international IFNA Educational Standards for non-physician anesthesia programs.

World-wide, nurse anesthetists provide anesthesia care in many countries. Because of different historical background responsibilities, tasks and roles vary widely around the world. Established in 1989, the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) is a global organization representing nurse anesthetists. Each member country is represented in the Council of National Representatives who elect their Board of Officers who manage IFNA on a day-to-day basis. Together with several committees, the IFNA is dedicated to the advancement of educational standards and practices that will advance the art and science of nurse anesthesia and thereby support and enhance quality anesthesia worldwide. The IFNA has relationships with numerous institutions that share the professional interest in nurse anesthesia: International Council of Nurses, World Health Organization, World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA) and European Society of Anesthesiology. The IFNA-Standards, the Anesthesia Program Approval Process and the IFNA-world congresses are important tools used in the globalization process. Currently, the focus is on a framework and guidelines for Continuous Professional Development, recertification, accreditation and legislation. This is not only important for further development of the profession and the constant improvement of quality anesthesia care but also to become known to the general public.