International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists

What International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists does

The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA), founded in 1989 and headquartered in Welling, United Kingdom, is a non-profit international professional federation representing nurse anesthetists globally. Its membership spans roughly 40 country-level national associations coordinated through a Country National Representative (CNR) network, with an additional audience of individual nurse anesthetists and nurse anesthesia education programs. IFNA operates as a standards-setting and community-building organization rather than a technology company, and it is governed by an elected Executive Committee led by a President (Jackie Rowles) and an Executive Director (Pascal Rod).

IFNA's core offerings include the Anesthesia Program Approval Process (APAP), a four-tier international accreditation program (Registration, Recognition, Accreditation, and Deemed Accreditation) for nurse anesthesia education programs; model curricula at certificate, bachelor's, and master's levels; the IFNA Standards of Education, Practice and Monitoring; a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) model; the International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia (ISJNA); and educational podcast and slide/handout series. These products are delivered primarily through the IFNA website (ifna.site and ifna.org), which is a standard WordPress-based content platform without API exposure. The organization also convenes the biennial World Congress of Nurse Anesthetists (WCNA), held in Glasgow (2016) and Budapest (2018), with future events planned through 2026.

IFNA's revenue model is multi-stream and small-scale: country-level membership dues, APAP accreditation and renewal fees (1,500 Swiss Francs per Deemed Accreditation application), biennial congress registration fees, and grants for research and accreditation (including documented Pfizer Japan funding and a $5,000 donation it extended to Mercy Ships in 2016). Distribution and outreach run through CNR representatives, the ICN affiliate relationship, the G4 Alliance board seat, the European Society of Anesthesiologists (ESA) liaison committee, and WFSA and WHO GIEESC engagement, positioning IFNA as the recognized nursing voice in global surgical and anesthesia care policy.

Name

International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists

Legal name

International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists

Website

https://ifna.site

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) is a non-profit global federation founded in 1989 that sets education and practice standards, accredits nurse anesthesia programs through its four-tier APAP, and represents roughly 40 country-level nurse anesthetist associations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Healthcare Federation Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Psychometric Standards, Test Development & Validation Authorities (EDADAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safety, Security & Emergency Services (OSHA, Fire, EMS, Security CE) (EDAAALAK), Perioperative Anesthesia Services & Management (HLAFAIAM)

Keywords

• Nurse anesthesia accreditation
• Anesthesia education standards
• Professional nurse federation
• Continuing professional development
• Healthcare professional standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Welling

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Accreditation and Recognition Fees: IFNA charges application and renewal fees for its APAP accreditation program. Deemed Accreditation applications cost 1500 Swiss Francs, with 750 Swiss Francs refund for ineligible programs.
2. Membership Dues: Country members pay membership fees to be part of IFNA. Individual country membership with representation through Country National Representatives (CNRs).
3. Congress and Event Fees: Revenue from World Congress of Nurse Anesthetists (WCNA) events held biennially. Also includes regional conferences and continuing education meetings.
4. Education and Research Grants: IFNA provides grant funding for programs to complete accreditation (grant from IFNA covers approved expenses). Also receives grants for research initiatives such as the Pfizer Japan grant for Asian nurse anesthesia research.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IFNA operates the Anesthesia Program Approval Process (APAP), a four-tier international accreditation program for nurse anesthesia education programs (Level 1 Registration, Level 2 Recognition, Level 3 Accreditation, and Deemed Accreditation). It also develops and publishes model curricula at Certificate, Bachelor's, and Master's levels, the IFNA Standards of Education, Practice and Monitoring, and a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Model. The federation supplements these with a biennial World Congress, the International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia, and educational resource series.

Product overview

IFNA operates as a global professional organization for nurse anesthetists, offering a unified platform combining accreditation services, educational resources, and professional development. The core offering is the Anesthesia Program Approval Process (APAP) providing four-tier accreditation for nurse anesthesia programs. Supporting this are model curricula at certificate, bachelor's, and master's levels, comprehensive standards documents, and a CPD model for continuing education. The organization publishes the International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia and produces educational materials including 17 slide series and 17 handout series covering anesthesia techniques. IFNA convenes World Congresses of Nurse Anesthetists and administers grant programs for student/faculty exchange and research. The portfolio is accessed primarily through the IFNA website platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• APAP (Anesthesia Program Approval Process) Four-tier international accreditation program for nurse anesthesia education programs, available to educational institutions worldwide. Includes application, onsite reviews, and multi-year recognition with renewal cycles. Deemed Accreditation applications cost 1,500 Swiss Francs.
• Certificate Model Curriculum Model curriculum for nurse anesthetists at certificate-level education, developed by the IFNA Education Committee and made available for download to support program development.
• Bachelor's Model Curriculum Model curriculum for bachelor's-level nurse anesthesia education programs, providing curriculum guidance to institutions developing or revising their programs.
• Master's Model Curriculum Model curriculum for master's-level nurse anesthesia education programs, supporting advanced training program development for institutions globally.
• IFNA Standards of Education, Practice and Monitoring Comprehensive standards document covering education, clinical practice, and program monitoring requirements for nurse anesthetists. The 2016 edition is available for download and serves as the reference standard for nurse anesthesia globally.
• IFNA CPD Model (Continuous Professional Development) Continuing Professional Development framework and guidelines for nurse anesthetists to maintain competency and advance their practice throughout their careers.
• World Congress of Nurse Anesthetists (WCNA) Biennial international congress providing continuing education, networking, and accreditation information directly to nurse anesthetists and member associations worldwide.
• International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia (ISJNA) Peer-reviewed international journal publishing student research on nurse anesthesia topics, supporting scholarly engagement among student nurse anesthetists globally.
• Podcasts on Anesthesia Audio content including interviews of practicing nurse anesthetists and anesthesia lessons for ongoing continuing education, available through IFNA's podcast channels.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• G4 Alliance (Global Alliance for Trauma, Surgical, Obstetrical and Anesthesia Care)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015IFNA was the first and only nursing organization to join the G4 Alliance. President Jackie Rowles serves as a board member and permanent council member. The alliance has over 80 member organizations focused on surgical and anesthesia care. IFNA's participation raises visibility of nurse anesthesia in global health policy.
• International Council of Nurses (ICN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFNA holds affiliate membership in ICN. The partnership allows IFNA to participate in ICN Congresses, the ICN CNR meeting, and the ICN NP/APNN Network. ICN APN Network Bulletin featured IFNA introduction in January 2016.
• Mercy ShipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFNA donated $5000 to Mercy Ships which operates the largest hospital ship in civil service worldwide. The ship provides free surgery and dental treatments in developing nations. Discussions ongoing about educational collaborations and role of nurse anesthetists on the ship.
• European Society of Anesthesiologists (ESA)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFNA maintains liaison committee meetings with ESA twice yearly. Representatives include Jaap Hoekman, Ingrid Andersson, Marit Vassbotten-Olsen, and Pascal Rod. Discussions focus on standards and areas of mutual interest.
• World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFNA President invited to speak at WFSA SAFE-T Summit. Initial planning stages for joint meeting of WFSA/IFNA Officers and Executive Directors. Relationship building for collaboration on common interests.
• JHPEIGOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational non-profit health organization associated with Johns Hopkins University, active in 155 countries for 45 years. Leadership was impressed with IFNA's work and requested a presentation. Potential collaboration in first quarter 2019.
• European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO)minorOthersIFNA holds membership in ESNO as part of its professional networking activities.
• The G4 AlliancecoreOthersIFNA holds membership in The G4 Alliance (as shown in logo section). The alliance is an advocacy coalition for surgical, trauma, obstetrical and anesthesia care.
• Our Hearts Your Hands Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organization based in Carmel, Indiana that raises awareness and promotes access to safe anesthesia care. Supports nurse anesthetists in low and middle income countries through educational programs, equipment donations, and textbook donations.
• National Board on Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS organization that certifies CRNAs considered offering certification exams for individual countries. Sponsored APAP luncheon at WCNA congress. Exploring discussions about certification for nurse anesthetists outside the USA.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFNA participates in WHO GIEESC (Global Initiative on Emergency and Essential Surgical Care) meetings. G4 Alliance co-hosts events with WHO at the World Health Assembly. IFNA attends these meetings to network and advocate for nurse anesthesia.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Council of Nurses (ICN): Global federation of 130+ national nursing associations. IFNA holds affiliate membership. Comparable as a larger umbrella organization covering all nursing specialties, providing IFNA with international reach and policy channels.
• World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA): Global federation of 130+ physician anesthesiologist societies. IFNA maintains liaison with WFSA and presented at its SAFE-T Summit. Comparable as the dominant global anesthesia policy body, but representing physicians rather than nurses — the central competitive dynamic for IFNA.
• European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC): European physician anesthesiologist society with which IFNA conducts twice-yearly liaison meetings. Comparable as a regional standards and education body for anesthesia professionals, representing the physician side of the same workforce IFNA serves.

Direct peers

• National Board on Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA): US certifying body for CRNAs, already in exploratory partnership discussions with IFNA. Comparable because it operates the credentialing function for nurse anesthetists that IFNA is considering extending internationally.
• American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA): The US national professional association for nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), founded in 1931. Directly comparable to IFNA in mission — advancing nurse anesthesia education, practice standards, and advocacy — but operating at national scale with a much larger membership and budget.
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA): The US accreditor of nurse anesthesia programs, recognized by the US Secretary of Education. Closely comparable to IFNA's APAP function but at US national scope; sets a benchmark against which IFNA's international APAP is positioned.

Others

• JHPIEGO: Johns Hopkins-affiliated nonprofit active in 155 countries for 45 years, focused on health workforce training. IFNA leadership engaged JHPIEGO for potential collaboration in 2019. Comparable as a global health education and capacity-building organization with overlapping scope.
• International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia (ISJNA): Peer-reviewed student journal published under IFNA. While not a peer organization, it is the only directly comparable publication for nurse anesthesia student research and reinforces IFNA's editorial authority in the field.
• G4 Alliance (Global Alliance for Trauma, Surgical, Obstetrical and Anesthesia Care): Coalition of 80+ organizations advocating for global surgical care access; IFNA is the only nursing member and sits on the board. Comparable as an enabling coalition that gives IFNA amplified policy reach.
• European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO): European federation of specialist nursing organizations; IFNA holds membership. Comparable as a peer professional nursing federation that cross-pollinates on policy, education, and recognition frameworks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists