AA student contemplating CRNA track...advice?

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Hi all,

I have been accepted into a AA program starting summer 2011, but I am also seriously contemplating the traditional CRNA track. Above all, my goal is to become an anesthesia provider. However, I want to gauge my options, and figured this would be a good place to get informative and helpful feedback. While I am already guaranteed a spot in the AA program, I do notice that there are a lot less positions available for AA grads vs. CRNA's. I imagine this is mostly the case because it is a fairly newer profession and many hospitals "don't know how to hire AA's, even when they really like them", etc. I also notice that CRNA's generally make more money for doing essentially the same job function (in hospital settings, or course) and I feel like this would bug me getting paid less for the same job duties. However, if I chose to go the CRNA way, I would need to go back to school as I am not a RN - my degree is pre-med, focus in nutritional sciences. I am thinking the fastest route would be to get an ASN, then do a bridge MSN program to CRNA school. However, realistically, what are my chances of landing a good critical care position as a fresh grad in Florida? Already taken my GRE, scored around a 1200, and my cum GPA is 3.5. I am assuming this would all take me another 2.5 years to complete. Im 24, no kids or marriage so I am still flexible, and looking to make the right investment in my future. AA school isn't cheap! What recommendations would you all have in this case?

Thanks in advance :) And I hope everyone can remember to be nice and honest in their responses!

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Specializes in Surgical ICU, Anesthesia.

Interesting situation. If your goal is to become an anesthesia provider then go to AA school. My reasoning is simple: you're guaranteed a spot right now and there's no telling what will happen if you let that opportunity pass you by. The AA profession is the newest kid on the block, but more than likely, additional states will allow AA to practice within them. Also, if you do the math then you may end up being closer to 30 when you're entering the OR as a practicing CRNA.

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Do the CRNA route... you may have to spend some time in a tele unit before critical care. I'm in S. FL and before we hired new grads out of school in ICU but now most want some experience first. So get a job in a tele unit work 6 months and begin seeking for a transfer in you own hospital... your chances are better. I think if you're gonna spend the money and you're young get your CRNA... It maybe a long time (if ever) before AA's will gain their recognition!

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If not the aa route I would go the MD route. It will take you roughly the same amount of time.

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Thank you for the honest responses. Are any of you CRNAs now? I am quite curious to hear personal accounts of working with AAs. Being that they are licensed and go to school for basically the same time period, I would imagine that the skills are equal for both parties coming out of school. BSN = 4 years, at least 1 year in ICU, then CRNA school for 2.5 years... Vs. a pre-med BS, usually at least a year of direct patient care, and AA school for 2.5 years. I don't get what all the beef is about. If both have proven that they're competent anesthesia providers, shouldn't they work together in a nice manner? Both go through vigorous training and clinicals. All these stories make me shudder...

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Thank you for the honest responses. Are any of you CRNAs now? I am quite curious to hear personal accounts of working with AAs. Being that they are licensed and go to school for basically the same time period, I would imagine that the skills are equal for both parties coming out of school. BSN = 4 years, at least 1 year in ICU, then CRNA school for 2.5 years... Vs. a pre-med BS, usually at least a year of direct patient care, and AA school for 2.5 years. I don't get what all the beef is about. If both have proven that they're competent anesthesia providers, shouldn't they work together in a nice manner? Both go through vigorous training and clinicals. All these stories make me shudder...

Yes, I am a CRNA, and I would recommend the CRNA route. There is only about 2000 active AAs, and over 42,000 CRNAs in the US. AAs can only work in 16 states and always under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist. CRNAs work in every state and every US territory that I am aware of, and do not have to work with anesthesiologists if they choose not to.

Couple of things:

1. AAs and CRNAs make the same money when they work in the same hospital in ACT practices.

2. Scope of practice for CRNAs and AAs is different. CRNAs can and do work independently. CRNAs are the oldest nursing speciality in the US. CRNAs can provide the exact same anesthetic services/care that an anesthesiologist does. AAs on the other hand have extremely limited scope of practice. AAs usually are not trained/cannot do any kind of regional techniques. AAs are a political tool invented by the ASA to help control the practice of CRNAs. ACT practices are expensive and more hospitals are moving away from that practice model. The only type of practice that AAs can work in are ACT practices. AAs are taught to be dependent on anesthesiologists. You should ask yourself do you want to have a different supervisor (anesthesiologist) everyday making all the decisions for you about your anesthetic care, because that is what happens everyday in ACT practices.

3. The training maybe the same length of time, but nurse anesthesia school doesn't have to spend time teaching how to take BPs/do IV's/do basic assessments, and all the other things that nurses already know from day one starting nurse anesthesia school unlike AA school. So, the time of school maybe the same in some cases, but the training is actually different.

4. AAs have never been proven to be just as competent or safe as CRNAs. AAs working under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist have proven to be safe, but never as sole providers (which is impossible d/t their scope of practice). Independent CRNAs on the other hand have been proven to be just as safe and effective as anesthesiologists in numerous studies.

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I am a crna so I am biased, but I would think about moving if needed, the fact is that you are considering a career, a profession. To pursue this living in Florida only is just not a realistic option. Advice get ADN work the unit while you get a BSN then go to anesthesia school. Or with your background go to medical school. I think the AA route is one you may regret for all of the reasons above.

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Specializes in CRNA.

The most important priority of health care reform is cost containment. CRNAs are proven to be cost effective which will increase opportunities, AAs are not because they always need to work with an anesthesiologist. Definitely pursue the CRNA route. The AA role is in a difficult position, the profession has been around for 40 years and still hasn't gained much traction.

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I wouldn't pursue a profession with such limited options. I'd suggest either going the CRNA route, but only if you want to be a nurse first. Or going the MD route but only if you want to be a doctor and all that that entails. Both nursing and medicine are very broad fields with lots of opportunity and fall back options

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Specializes in Nurse Practitioner-Emergency Room.

I'm just curious, what is an AA? I'm an NP, and the school I went to had a CRNA program, but I've never heard of an AA. Does it stand for anesthesia assistant? I'm sorry if it's a stupid question. I've been a nurse for 5 years, and had all of my core classes with the SRNAs, but I've never heard of of AA. Sorry to change the subject. Anytime I hear of something I'm not familiar with, I just like to educate myself. Thanks!

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Though i know you were wanting responses from CRNA's, i can tell you that im pursuing that track and am in kind of the same place as you. I have my BSN, i have been working for the past year as a nurse im also 24. However, i still am hoping to switch into the ICU in order to get the needed experience soon. Anyway, i think you just need to ask yourself what you really want out of life career wise. I mean thats awesome your already in AA school and AA'S pretty much make as much as CRNA's, only draw back is smaller scope of practice i think?/less states you can work in. Here's the other hand - switching to CRNA - for someone with your background and current options i don' think its even worth it.

Look its going nearly as long to: 1. Get into/finish your AS in nursing (generally 2 years even though u have transfer credit)

2. Work in the ICU for a min of 1 year (thats if you can get in right away as a new grad)

3. You may need more that 1 year of experience in the ICU - possible 2-3 until you're accepted

4. Finish CRNA school 2.5 years

Thats a minimum of 4.5 years if everything works out perfectly for you (jobs fall into your lap). So the question you need to ask yourself: "is it worth 4.5 years to become a CRNA over an AA?" I know i know that AA school is 2 years still but.... Just go to med school and become an anesthesiologist - with your pre-med background that is the only logical choice i can see if your insistent on switching careers, its just not worth it to become a CRNA with the options you have.

As always, what ever choice you make is going to be the best choice for you!

Best of luck! And welcome to the medical field - its great!

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
I'm just curious, what is an AA? I'm an NP, and the school I went to had a CRNA program, but I've never heard of an AA. Does it stand for anesthesia assistant? I'm sorry if it's a stupid question. I've been a nurse for 5 years, and had all of my core classes with the SRNAs, but I've never heard of of AA. Sorry to change the subject. Anytime I hear of something I'm not familiar with, I just like to educate myself. Thanks!

Yes they are anesthesia assistants. They usually have a science degree and then go to AA school. I think most are/where pre-med or could have been. Don't think they have to have any medical experience to attend school.

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