Anesthesia Assistants (AA)

Mrhanddiya · Jul 12, 2015

They may "want it", but they are not trained to be independent providers. Period. Besides, it will never happen and their national organization (AAAA) states that their benefit is always practicing under a physician anesthesiologist in an ACT. I feel bad for many AAs. What a depressing outlook to be tied to an ACT in only a handful of states for your ENTIRE career. Thank goodness I am an independent CRNA. I used to be an ACT and I left after a year. All MDAs wanted was for me to do what I was told, not think for myself, even if they were absolutely wrong. There is no dignity in that. No way I was gonna be a robot in a medical assembly line.

If I were an AA, I would no doubt want independence. Unfortunately, the only way is to have a civil war and somehow cut ties to ASA. (I heard that Physical Therapist did this many years ago with the AMA). The only other routes are through Med School, or become a CRNA.

allnurses Guide · Jul 12, 2015

I really hope they start pushing for independence. I can just imagine what the response from the ASA will be!

CRNA 1984 · Jul 12, 2015

They may "want it", but they are not trained to be independent providers. Period. Besides, it will never happen and their national organization (AAAA) states that their benefit is always practicing under a physician anesthesiologist in an ACT. I feel bad for many AAs. What a depressing outlook to be tied to an ACT in only a handful of states for your ENTIRE career. Thank goodness I am an independent CRNA. I used to be an ACT and I left after a year. All MDAs wanted was for me to do what I was told, not think for myself, even if they were absolutely wrong. There is no dignity in that. No way I was gonna be a robot in a medical assembly line.
If I were an AA, I would no doubt want independence. Unfortunately, the only way is to have a civil war and somehow cut ties to ASA. (I heard that Physical Therapist did this many years ago with the AMA). The only other routes are through Med School, or become a CRNA.

I agree, scope of practice should accurately reflect level of education and medical training for all healthcare professionals regardless of specialty. One of the greatest things we have as CRNAs is a very active AANA. They work very hard for us, and I appreciate them for that. I am privileged enough to be working for an anesthesia group that gives a lot of autonomy to their CRNAs. I'm like you, I can't be a robot and not think for myself.