humor me fellas

Specialties CRNA

Published

I think we have talked about this a little bit before but I am showing a friend how this site works. so here is the question.

so there you are in an interview for school, both MDA's and CRNA's are on the panal.

they ask, " What is the diffrence between an MDA and CRNA?"

matt

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The safe answer:

"I'm not sure of the answer to that question. That's why I want to go to your school. I want that knowledge."

(A less flip answer will follow later.)

Kevin McHugh

Up Vote Up Vote ×

with extensive additional training that pertains to anesthesia AND who have a license to practice medicine. This is contrasted with CRNA's who are highly trained clinical specialists who usually practice under the supervision of a doctor (but not necessarily an MDA).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Anesthetist.

Actually, CRNAs do not necessarily practice under the supervision of a MD. California does not require this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

New hamshire, Oregon and several other states have varying degrees of supervision requirement as well.

Craig

Up Vote Up Vote ×

IMHO, if you know the answer to the questions, give the answers in an intelligent manner. And if you don't know the answer to any question, give the fine answer Kevin provided.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

good. good , hmmm.

this is a hard one isnt' it. because you know exactly what you would say if the panal were all MDA's or all CRNA's. I think I know what each one wants to hear.

but how do I balance them.

How do you keep the commandments without offending the devil. if you get what that means.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I was asked a similar question in front of a panel of Docs and nurses. "Why a CRNA and not a MD (or DO)? 2 things came to mind, first, I chose to be a nurse, not because it is almost a Doc (as Bill Cosby said) but because I wanted to be a nurse and that is who I am and will be. Second, I was at a interview for CRNA school and the Docs were there to look for good candidates for that, not residency. So I responded using the first. Used that answer for 3 out of 5 interviews and got accepted to all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

regarding california... that sounds very odd that CRNAs can practice without an MD?! who prescribes the narcotics/volatiles etc...?? those need prescriptions for them to be dispensed then administered. I am assuming that the surgeon therefore takes responsibility for those drugs and therefore is according to the law the supervising physician.... correct me if i am wrong, i am very curious...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actually, there have been lawsuits regarding the questions you have Tenesma. The decisions of which have been that being a CRNA is not akin to practicing Medicine without a license. Two states allow actual independent practice in many arenas, Oregon, and New Hampshire.

I recently wrote a paper on a related issue, the CMS medicare optout legislation passed last year. You can find my paper at http://homepage.mac.com/nilepoc look under the shared files section. I am putting it up, so that you cannot so much read my opinions, but read the referenced articles in the bibliography. I think they will answer the question you are asking.

Anyway I hope it helps, I just don't have the time to summarize whats in those articles.

Craig

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't really know anything about this, but I thought CRNAs practiced akin to NPs in many states and thus had a similar presciprion authority in relation to anesthetics.

Am I wrong in assuming this? I don't know how CRNAs could practice independently if it were otherwise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment