Anesthesiologist Assistant

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

I've never heard of an Anesthesiology Assistant. What do they do?

Our Anesthesiologists don't need assistance.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 31, 2016

Are you in the US or the UK? In the US they have OR techs. I remember assistants in the UK back in the 80s but don't know if they still have them.

shaywood91 · Mar 31, 2016

Career Outlook and Job Vacancies for Anesthesiologist Assistants

I'm currently living in the US. From the article above, it shows to be in high demand. So hopefully that is still the case. I have just recently heard about AA and looking more into it. Never heard of it until a few days ago.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

Anesthesia assistant is an option available only in US. It was basically created by anesthesiologists to "combat" movement of CRNA for independent practice (read: piece of $$$ pie).

There are handful of schools and not all states recognize the specialty (read: you will be restrained in terms of places to live and work in). Schools require MCAT for admission. Scope of practice is similar with that of CRNA (may be less reg. high-tech stuff like ultrasound-guided procedures and specialties). The main difference is NO prospectives for independency, ever.

shaywood91 · Mar 31, 2016

Thank you for this information. Do you know if I would need to become an RN like a CRNA would? Or can I just go for my A.S. and B.S. then apply for my Masters in becoming a AA? I'm not sure of the process and the first step to take.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 31, 2016

Thank you for this information. Do you know if I would need to become an RN like a CRNA would? Or can I just go for my A.S. and B.S. then apply for my Masters in becoming a AA? I'm not sure of the process and the first step to take.

Wouldn't you want to do some research on your own (as in Google) to ensure that you receive 100% correct information for such a big life step?

(No offense, KatieMI, I'm sure you're right. I just think in general that folks should go to the source when making school/career/life decisions, rather than an internet forum.)

ScrappytheCoco · Mar 31, 2016

You do not need to become an RN prior to an AA degree. A bachelor's in hard science like biology or chemistry would be more along the lines of this kind of programs's admission requirements. AA's aren't nurses and don't follow the nursing care model.

elkpark · Mar 31, 2016

Thank you for this information. Do you know if I would need to become an RN like a CRNA would? Or can I just go for my A.S. and B.S. then apply for my Masters in becoming a AA? I'm not sure of the process and the first step to take.

The whole point of AAs is that they are not RNs. The medical community created them as an alternative, entirely controlled by MDs, to CRNAs.

shaywood91 · Mar 31, 2016

Yes, I will actually speak with a Adviser that offers the AA program to ensure I'm making the right steps. Just thought I'd do some google research. Thank you for your help.

shaywood91 · Mar 31, 2016

Perfect, thank you.

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Apr 1, 2016

You may want to look into what an AA really does. Are you thinking that they are independent ? Well they aren't. You are medically directed. In other words someone tells you what to do. CRNAs while in some states are medically supervised. We are not medically directed by any means. I push whatever drugs, at whatever dose, whenever I want. No one tells me what do to. I don't care how smart you are, you will have zero clinical experience and for us CRNAs our clinical experience as ICU RNs is what gives us the ability to 'see around the corner' and predict and stay ahead of things that can or might occur during the course of an anesthetic. If you can't tell already I'm highly Anti- AA and I have no problem being open about it. I will fight tooth and nail to keep you and another AAs out of my state. Good Luck.