Anethesia Assistant to CRNA

Published

Specializes in med-surg, OR.

Hi,

I am a BSN canadian nurse, unfortunately we don't have CRNA's here, as I would love to be one. But they did recently introduce the AA role in Canada. I think eventually the CRNA will be available here, but we are bit behind with some graduate nurse roles. In the states is it hard to move from AA to CRNA? Are the roles generally the same or very different?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

There are no short cuts for an AA to become a CRNA here. You must become an RN, enter and complete a nurse anesthesia program and pass boards no matter what your background is. From a little reading I've done about the new program in Canada, it is for RNs to be specialized in anesthesia. As I understand the practice is designed to always be under the direction of an anesthesiologist, so I understand you saying it is an AA. I think it is considered an advanced practice nurse role though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our AAs are not nurses here in the states. If they wanted to become a CRNA they'd have to go to nursing school and get their RN. Then they'd have to go to anesthesia school and sit for their CRNA boards. So, as you can see it would be a long road for this type of transition. I've known some Canadian nurses who have come to the US, gotten their ICU experience and then applied to our anesthesia schools. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Didn't the U. of Toronto just introduce the first ever CRNA program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, OR.

I was looking at University of Toronto's program too. I don't think it is the same thing. Here's what it says about the program Nurse Practitioner-Anesthesia, on the U of T page:

"This series of courses have been designed to provide advanced education for nurse practitioners interested in developing their knowledge and skill related to in the care of patients along the continuum of anaesthesia care including pre-operative, peri-operative, post-operative, and ambulatory care. Completion of these courses will promote the development of skill and knowledge in the clinical care of patients in pain and/or receiving sedation and anaesthesia."

You need to have completed an anesthesia assistant program, as well as a MN/NP certification.

I think it is more an primary health care/educator role, there is no CRNA certification after completion. I do not know if the NP, will actually be working in the OR, or be just developing an understanding of anesthesia practice. Not quite sure, a little vague.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anesthesia Assistant and CRNAs can do the same things the pay is the same also. Both are Master degree programs

The differences are

Crnas become nurses first

AAs do not have to have any healthcare experience to apply to schools

Anesthesia Assistants have a bachelors degree with premedical courses (since traditional this position was to be the anesthesiologists "ASN -BSN situation" it was supposed to be a given that these students were to go on to med school) CRNAs do not have to have a degree in Nursing

Many states still do not recognize the Anesthesia Assistant It may be less than 20

CRNAs are accepted in all states

only 700 AAs vs 24,000 CRNAs

85 CRNA schools and counting vs 7 AA schools Mcat is reqired for 2 or 3 of those schools. I think)

Anesthesia Assistants have to work under an Anesthesiologist only, while CRNAs need only a doctor

AAs have to do continuing ed credits biannually plus have Continued Demonstration of Qualification exam EVERY 6 months, that would suck (has to do with that 'ol intention to be a anesthesiologist stuff)

It wouldn't do to be an AA then go CRNA because it would be in most parts redundant. You would have gotten the bachelors degree or if you already had one, take the required courses to learn to perform AA duties and get your Masters TO then become a nurse (more classes and clinicals), THEN enter a CRNA program to learn stuff you already KNOW and DO to have the CRNA after your name.

It would be a choice of one of the other not both

I would personally go the CRNA route since they are more widely accepted in all states and for accessibility (having to work ONLY under an Anesthesiologist) for cost cutting hospitals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

You need to have completed an anesthesia assistant program, as well as a MN/NP certification.

Where did you get this information? What do you mean by an anesthesia assistant program? I've seen the Canadian advanced practice nursing role described as functioning similar to a CRNA in the anesthesia care team model here in the US. I've also read that the initial students will all be NP's prior to completing the anesthesia portion, but in the future RNs could enter and complete the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, OR.

I got this information right from the University of Toronto's faculty of Nursing website:

http://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/CASPP/Anaesthesia_Care_for_Nurse_Practitioners.htm

This is the closest thing so far to a CRNA in Canada, but it is still not the same thing. The above program is for NPs interested in anesthesia care knowledge in skills. CRNA's are not regulated in Canada, yet. The idea here, might be just in the infancy stages. In Ontario they only have Anaesthesia Assistants (which the Ministry of Health and Long term care is piloting.) Here is the info for an Ontario post-grad AA program (open to RNs & Respiratory Therapists:)

http://www.michener.ca/ce/postdiploma/anesth_asst.php?sub2=2

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

While the Toronto program is not the same as a CRNA in the US, it is a start.

Looks like you have a couple of options. You can come to the US, go through a program and become a CRNA here (I have no idea what the immigration issues are). Or you could go to Toronto program and put your efforts into growing the nurse anesthesia profession there in Canada. It won't just happen without nurse anesthetist leaders in the field. The CRNA role here in the US didn't just happen without a lot of continuous effort from a lot of CRNAs over the past 100 years. How about working to make it happen there?

I would not go for the AA program in Ontario, that's just a way to reduce the APN status.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, OR.

Thank you for the the feedback and the encouraging advice. I see exactly what you are saying. I did a job shadow day in the OR yesterday, (to sort out my feelings on career direction,) I work in a large teaching hospital. I had the opportunity to observe many different roles, including the anesthesiologist's, and I must say, I have always loved monitored pts! The machines/technology: ultrasound, EEG, ECG, Bypass, ventilation, ect. along with the life saving drugs/gases, ect. are all so fascinating! In my last year of nursing school, I trained in the ICU.

I feel the first step for me is to get a solid background in ICU knowledge/experience and then possible apply next year to the NP/MN-Anaesthesia program at U of T.

I enrolled in a post-graduate critical care program today. I hope it will help me get my foot in the door to the MSICU, (I currently work on a neuroscience floor.) I would love to work in the ICU while pursuing my NP-Anaethesia/CRNA dream, and yes you are right, we need people to lead here too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
AAs have to do continuing ed credits biannually plus have Continued Demonstration of Qualification exam EVERY 6 months, that would suck (has to do with that 'ol intention to be a anesthesiologist stuff)

They site I looked at said the the Continued Demo. of Qual. Exam is taken every 6 YEARS not months.

http://www.anesthesiaassistant.com/AnesthesiologistAssistantEducation.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion