| Abstract | | Presented in the article are the clinical practice and the roles and competences of anaesthesia providers, two paths in anaesthesia practice worldwide, and the impact of anaesthesia provider credentials on patient outcomes. The requirements for anaesthetic nurses, and a restructuring of the areas of responsibility between healthcare professionals are to be expected, due to the reorganization of healthcare services in many countries; therefore the issues of professional conflict between nurse anesthetists and anaesthesiologists, nurses' aspirations and self-assessment, and the possibilities of turnover in nurses are raised. A reflection is made on nurse militancy with reference to professionalism, and the commitment to service, patriarchal practices and gendered subordination, and the confrontation with healthcare restructuring. Special emphasis on research in nursing profession, as the most needed basis for professional identity, career structure and pathways, as well as professional role modification, is offered as a contribution to establishing an active nursing research culture and evidence-based practice promotion. The countries anticipating a shortfall in the supply of anaesthesiologists are to examine working models from other countries that currently work with fewer physicians and more nurse anaesthetists. The nurse anaesthesia professionals should be well prepared and competent to respond to new challenges in the future.
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