An Examination of Imposter Phenomenon, Anxiety, and Depression Among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetists

16/10/2026

AI Summary

High prevalence of imposter phenomenon: 91.8% of RRNAs and 38.8% of CRNAs report moderate to intense symptoms.
Substantial anxiety and depression rates: anxiety in 72.3% RRNAs and 48.5% CRNAs; depression significantly higher in RRNAs (28.7% vs 13%).
Imposter phenomenon, anxiety, and depression decline with age and experience and are negatively associated with perceived general health; interventions are recommended.

TL;DR (AI Generated)

However, this concept has not been examined in nurse anesthetists to date.

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe and examine the relationship between IP, GAD, depression, and general health among CRNAs and resident registered nurse anesthetists (RRNAs) in the US utilizing survey methodology.

Basic summary

AANA J. 2026 Oct 1;94(5):339-350. doi: 10.70278/AANAJ/.0000001084.

ABSTRACT

Imposter Phenomenon (IP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, and related mental health conditions may have detrimental effects on the personal and professional well-being of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and subsequent patient health outcomes. However, this concept has not been examined in nurse anesthetists to date. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe and examine the relationship between IP, GAD, depression, and general health among CRNAs and resident registered nurse anesthetists (RRNAs) in the US utilizing survey methodology. The study sample size included 860 completed survey responses. The results demonstrated that both CRNAs (38.8%) and RRNAs (91.8%) report moderate to intense IP symptoms. Results also show high rates of anxiety among CRNAs (48.5%) and RRNAs (72.3%) surveyed. Depression was statistically significantly higher in RRNAs at 28.7% compared with 13% among CRNAs (P < .05). A negative linear relationship was noted between IP, anxiety, and depression over time with age and experience (P < 0.05). A two-way ANOVA model found a significant negative relationship between imposter phenomenon and perceived health (P < .05). These findings demonstrate a persistent correlation between IP, anxiety and depression, and general health among CRNAs and RRNAs. Future efforts should include interventions to reduce IP in the nurse anesthesia workforce.

PMID:42878822 | DOI:10.70278/AANAJ/.0000001084

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