Anesthesiologist Assistant

[shaywood91]

I am interested in becoming a Anesthesiologist Assistant in the future. I do not have any college experience or degrees. What would be the first step? Do I need to become a RN first or can I go for an associates degree in the healthcare field and start from there?

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

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.

Take heed, OP. If you want to do something that is not limiting and offers independence and requires you to really step up your game, you get your BSN (Bachelors-prepared RN degree) and then go for your CRNA after getting those precious years of experience working in the ICU. I also don't see where you think getting your 2-year degree is going to start the path toward being an AA. From what I've seen, the best possible job outlook requires a Bachelors- or Masters-level preparation.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

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.

This site will answer ALL of your questions

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are highly skilled health professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to implement anesthesia care plans. CAAs work exclusively within the anesthesia care team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). All CAAs possess a premedical background, a baccalaureate degree, and also complete a comprehensive didactic and clinical program at the graduate school level. CAAs are trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. The goal of CAA education is to guide the transformation of qualified student applicants into competent health care practitioners who aspire to practice in the anesthesia care team.

FAQs American Academy of Anesthesia Assistants

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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.

Wow.

You do not do whatever you want, whenever you please, at whatever dose you choose. Someone does regulate you and license you.

There is no need to bite this poster's head off. She is making a simple query. It's not her fault that the world continues to turn and that it is in a direction you don't like. I do understand your upset, but it is misdirected.

And who said she's looking for independence? She might not be the independent type?

An AA took care of me not so long ago. In truth, I thought she was a med student or resident. She did not bother to give me much information, nor did the Anesthesiologist she was accompanying pre-op. I didn't really know what she was until I got the bill. Poor form to not fully inform me. You'll be glad to know she bruised me and made my teeth hurt. But I recovered, so...

I understand where you're coming from, but you didn't have to be so rude. OK, flame away.

[Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN]

Wow.

You do not do whatever you want, whenever you please, at whatever dose you choose. Someone does regulate you and license you.

There is no need to bite this poster's head off. She is making a simple query. It's not her fault that the world continues to turn and that it is in a direction you don't like. I do understand your upset, but it is misdirected.

And who said she's looking for independence? She might not be the independent type?

An AA took care of me not so long ago. In truth, I thought she was a med student or resident. She did not bother to give me much information, nor did the Anesthesiologist she was accompanying pre-op. I didn't really know what she was until I got the bill. Poor form to not fully inform me. You'll be glad to know she bruised me and made my teeth hurt. But I recovered, so...

I understand where you're coming from, but you didn't have to be so rude. OK, flame away.

I am overly passionate and emotional when it comes to this subject. It was a bit harsh, but I'm not sorry about it by any means But hopefully the OP does his/her research about this profession and realizes that there are much better things to do and to be an AA. #sorrynotsorry