Is the AA profession gaining ground?

Well, I'm currently an aide, and in school for medical technology. I fully intend when I graduate to get a master's from South University and (I hope!) work at Memorial...I had NO idea there was this much animosity dealing with AA's. I guess I'm used to being bullied, I am after all only an aide, but still...sheesh. We're all in the medical profession dealing with human LIVES. From the chief medical grand poohbah doctor to the housekeepers making sure germs aren't running amuck and rampant...we all have our place and our job to do. I always thought that everyone would come and work together for the betterment of our patients (...I was wishfully thinking :P) before I realized our cut-throat, back-stabbing, and clique-y things are at my current hospital. I always assumed it was just because I was an aide, and a student. Now I realize that this hurtful and detrimental mentality goes all the way up to advance practice nurses, doctors, and master's prepared AA's/PA's. For shame! I guess being an aide at least prepares me for the smite I'm obviously gonna get when I do graduate South =/...

I do have a question though, did the AA's/CRNA's here have a chance to work while in school? I'm just curious.

....In real life, are MDAs in the room with AA? or are they on their own (with little medical background?)....

The AA can do the easy lap choles. (times, what up to 4 rooms?).
The CRNAs will be happy because they will have a ton of interesting work. We can do more serious, critical cases.
PLENTY OF WORK, you guys.

I do have one questions. In real life, are MDAs in the room with AA? or are they on their own (with little medical background?) I don't/haven't worked with AAs so I really don't know this answer. (California CRNA)

......if you want to do hearts, heads, and transplants, those aren't done by independent CRNA's either.

JWK;
I actually do neuro, and specialize in pediatrics. FYI.
My group CRNAs do hearts, and transplants. We let our students do them with supervision on intubation, extubation and periodically throughout the case. But this is California and I've been told its a whole different country!!!
I honestly didn't mean to offend you. I didn't understand how AA could do advanced cases with only 24 months (?) of schooling in anesthesia (with no other background). My mistake, I apologize. I know that when I had just graduated from nursing school with my BSN, what seems like a hundred years ago, there were LVN?LPNs that were so much better than I was. They had the experience. But with my education (BSN vs adult ed night school) I quickly surpassed them.
I can see how very experienced AA can be upset with some of the comments in this thread. With the experience under your belt, I'm sure you are well qualified to care for a case.
Where you work JWK, why do the anesthesiologists come in the room for intubations/extubations/ at intervals? Are you medically directed or supervised? (Medically directed is much different than supervised). What happens when you disagree with what the anesthesiologist wants you to do? (We all have worked with the psycho who doesn't know his butt from his hand, right?)
I only ask these questions to truly understand your (AA) role and not to offend. I've read your threads over the years and you have some pretty good comments and ideas.