Hello, I have recently been accepted into CRNA school and will start this fall. I have been involved in a discussion in a nursing synthesis class this semester and I want to pose some of the discussion to the forum and get some feedback. The discussion goes as follows: Some of the issues facing CRNA's are the same as for the entire nursing
profession. The shortage of CRNA's is a current issue as many of the
CRNA's reach retirement age and school admission is limited. To combat
the problem, there are more CRNA schools opening to accomodate the
shortage and some schools are admitting more students each year.
Another solution found here in Georgia, or atleast the Atlanta area is
that the CRNA positions are being filled by AA's. For CRNA's in the
Atlanta area, this competition translates into having Ga CRNA salaries
being one of the lowest in the nation when compared to other states.
From what I understand, there is great animosity between CRNA's/AA's/and
physicians in this area. The doctors seem to like the use of AA's
because they have more control over them as they cannot practice alone
and are limited as to where they can practice. However, this may not
always be the case as the AA's lobby to gain rights in many other
states, the CRNAs may see greater competition for employment and
salaries. However, I do not think employment will be an issue for
quite some time given the shortage, but something to think about for the
future. Salaries on the other hand are already becoming an issue.The
hospitals I have had the opportunity to visit carry a ratio of 80-85%
AA's over CRNA's and the majority of the CRNA's are 45+ years old. ------------------I am primarily interested in the forum's thoughts on AA's and their possible threat to CRNA's. Is their a rivalry? Do you think they will affect CRNA hiring and salaries? How many work in the OR at your place of work? Thanks for the feedback and I will pass it on to my classmates....
