Re: Is the AA profession gaining ground? Originally Posted by Nitecap The issue here is how soon is soon. According to the passage at the top of this forum there are 32,000 CRNA, my data from 2005 is 29,500 so we are around 30,000. As well we are putting out about 2,000 new grads a year. As far as the AA profession with a handful of programs and actual practicing AA's it wil take them a while to build up numbers to even come close to closing the gap. This is why we must become involved and advocate that we are the superior providers and are more versatile being we can work without Anesthesiology supervision enabling us to fill the rural shortage that exists today.
We are not trying to close the gap. We don't want to take over the world. How many times and how many different ways do you need me to say it. While the AANA has as a major agenda the abolition of AAs nationwide, the AAAA is not interested in putting a single CRNA out of work. There in a nutshell is the difference. You want me out of the OR and unable to provide for my family. I simply want the right to work in my chosen profession anywhere I want. I don't want to put a single CRNA out of work, but I should be able to compete with you for ACT practice positions. Yes, you can fill a need in the rural areas. I will NEVER compete with you for those jobs. ACT practices, on the other hand can and should hire either practitioner interchangably with supply and demand being the major driving force in the decision.
A couple of facts meant to enlighten not inflame. Four years ago there were two AA programs - the same two that had been in existence for 30 years. Now there are five programs, each of which will graduate approx 30 AAs per year. There are several others in the works at major institutions that will train similar numbers.
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