[mw2150]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is possible for CRNAs to do Medical or Surgical humanitarian service missions to third world countries due to licensing issues. I know that Anesthesiologists are able to go but I wasn't sure what the issues would be for CRNAs. Do they have to be accompanied by an Anesthesiologist or could they perform on their own?

I completed a medical service mission as an RN and didn't have any problems and I would love to be able to do surgical missions as a CRNA but wasn't sure if it was possible. Any help? Thanks in advance.

[MayisontheWay]

Great question! I want to know too!

[deepz]

Many CRNAs serve on many missions with many various groups. Consult aana.com for more info, and the stickies up top, as well as

http://www.gaspasser.com/BudBusby.html

[SRNAclassof08]

I know CRNAs from my hospital go on these missions, so it is possible. I am just not sure about the legal part if they have to be supervised by an MD

[Qwiigley]

I'm on my way to West Africa in June for a mission. We'll see how it goes, it will be my first one. They want a CRNA to do the spinals. Tropical area. Poor people. Sounds just like my thing. I'll let you know....

[MayisontheWay]

Originally Posted by Qwiigley

I'm on my way to West Africa in June for a mission. We'll see how it goes, it will be my first one. They want a CRNA to do the spinals. Tropical area. Poor people. Sounds just like my thing. I'll let you know....

How long will you be there? Did you seek out the opportunity, or did it find you? How exciting!! Very good luck on this trip of a lifetime!

[reded]

I have gone on numerous missoins in the past: Haiti x10, Guyana for three months and Equador for a short stint. The folks I found most helpful were the Catholic Medical Mission Board on 17th. St. in NYC. They were any easy pick for me as they were 15min walk from home. I think their wbsite is CMMB.com or something to that effect. It's a great experience and reminds me of how lucky I was to be born here. Ed

[mw2150]

I've found a couple of groups that I know utilize CRNAs:

http://www.mercyships.org/
http://ismission.org/
http://www.paxjoliet.org/missions/Medical.html
http://www.ima-missions.org/

I'm sure there are many more - so if anybody know of them, please feel free to post. Thanks.

[mw2150]

*knows - oops!

[Qwiigley]

Originally Posted by MayisontheWay

How long will you be there? Did you seek out the opportunity, or did it find you? How exciting!! Very good luck on this trip of a lifetime!

I found the opportunity on the CANA (California Association of Nurse Anesthetist) website. They were asking for volunteers. I will be there a little over 2 weeks.

Operation Smile also uses CRNAs for their missions. They go all over the world. You work mostly on kids with cleft palates.

Mercy Ships make you commit to a min of 3 or 6 months. Very difficlut as I have heard that the languages are not always English the anesthesia drugs are sometimes in German, etc.