All CRNAs need to READ this

Let me first say thank you all for the supporting comments. For those of you who doubt my job title, I could care less. Not worth my time to discuss here. One of my colleagues referred me to this site last week. She said to watch out for some of the postings. She said she was often turned off by what some of you say. However, I was doubtful. I was going to try to prove her wrong. Like I said earlier, I was hoping this would be a forum to discuss these issues... to open the lines of communication and education regarding our roles.

But, it was bitter sweet, and only because of a FEW bad seeds. The bitterness can be cut with a knife its so thick. I mean how long to you have to keep repeating the same ol' "we know as much as them" stuff. YOU DONT! you never will. ACCEPT IT! Be proud to be a crna. We're different, we're special. As soon as we accept this, we all become winners. It really is pathetic. It makes us, the majority of CRNAs, look weak, bitter, pathetic and jealous. I mean give me a break!! I thought this was a dead issue, and for most of you it seems to be so. But there are still a few like 'kmm' that stick out like a sore thumb. I'm sorry you feel that way, but go back and read your post again, carefully. Don't you see it?? PLEASE refrain from writing those types of comments in public places where people can read it. You are bringing our profession down. You're not in the top tier.. accept it. be proud to be a crna! We love our job. We're special. dont forget that! you seem to always forget that.

Again, thank you for all those encouraging posts and emails I've received over the past few days. It's nice to know the majority still has their heads on straight. However, I think I'll visit this site 'thread' less often. Keeping my distance from those types always makes me look good and respectable, and I hope the rest of you will do the same.
My department is gearing up for a crna seminar this fall in arizona. Our department will be giving 3 presentations. I will be giving one of them, specifically talking about these very issues, mainly what I brought up earlier in my first posting. We need to continue to spread this knowledge, communicate and close those information gaps. The support here in the metro for this 'progressive' talk is outstanding amongst colleagues.. as opposed to the 'kmm' regression rhetoric which we would all like to see disappear.

I will not be discouraged, and I hope you aren't either! Anyways, good luck to all in your careers!! Hope to see you soon!

Stop belittling those that have gone to medical school, you should not open your mouth about it unless you have been through it, you have NO idea...

... all i see on this board is "CRNAs can do all that an MD can do. MD's are useless in anesthesia....

... all i see on this board is "CRNAs can do all that an MD can do. MD's are useless in anesthesia....

One more thing:

Am I the only one not impressed by the premed prerequisites??? Some of y'all act like the prerequisites classes are masters level chemistry or physics... Guess what, they're not... Here's what they are:

2 Semesters of Calculus (less for DO): Hmm, got that through AP credit in HS

2 Semesters of Biology with lab: Hmm, also got that through AP credit in HS

2 Semesters of General Chemistry with lab: Hmm, also got that through AP credit in HS

2 Semesters of Organic Chemistry with lab: Just about any science major will take this (and a prerequisite for many CRNA programs)

2 Semesters of Physics with Lab: Didn't have time to take the AP for it in HS

So, only 2 classes not available as AP credit in high school... Very advanced....

Let's be honest, the undergrad prereq's for medschool are about 30-40 credits - only 1/4-1/3 of the undergraduate degree. I personally find it insulting to be told that: 1) the undergrad prereq's are "advanced" science (they're not - advanced means upper level) and that 2) I couldn't possibly do well in those classes...

I guess all of our science PhD's who are leading the way in research weren't smart enough to be physicians...

I do think it is interesting how a CRNA who heralds the MDA's is questioned 10+ times, but an MDA who heralds the CRNA's isn't questioned one bit. You can say whatever you want, but the bias is obvious and undeniable. This coming from a Biologist (that's why I said "ologist" and remained vague) who is objective and considering possibly "selling out" (as some of you say)vs the MDA route. I thought it would be an easier way to decide how much of this sparring is objective vs subjective.

I think everybody deserves respect, but I definitely don't see that happening here. I know some of you feel justified "well such and such never respected me, so I won't...." for your lack or respect, but surely you know that everyone shouldn't be mislabeled b/c of 1 or even 100 bad apples. I have always respected my family doc and believe doc's have a hard road to get where they are so they have earned (yes, earned) that respect until it is lost on an individual basis (just as you guys deserve respect on a person to person basis). Yet, I see many totally disrepecting the doctors as a whole ("that is why I hate doctors" --an earlier quote). Not too mention disrespecting your own CRNA brethren.

You are also not thinking clearly to say "CRNA's are smart, but anyone w/ a brainstem can get into medical school". To be polite, I will just say that sounds "silly". I have a tough decision to make and have alot of anxiety about even being able to get into medical school (if that turns out to be my path), but from the way you make it sound it's open to everybody. I think the point that is trying to be made is that if you are looking for someone that is intelligent my order of greater likelihood goes like this janitor<burger flipper<flight attendent<CRNA<pilot<PA<CEO<Doctor. This may not be right all the time but I'll be right more than you if you reverse the order. That is just common sense and if you don't agree that does worry me about taking the shorter path.

Is it too difficult to agree that a doctor (most of the time) will be more intelligent than the nurse/CRNA??