Anyone have any experience with anesthesia assistants compared to CRNAs ?

suzanne4, RN · Jun 24, 2005

There is already much information here on this site on the same topic. Suggest that you just do a search.............. :)

Laughing Gas · Jun 24, 2005

Better check to see if you are really half way through undergrad classes and have some pre reqs for anesthesia school. Pre reqs for CRNA are pretty much master's level courses. Admission or allowance to take grad classes is usually contingent on completion of your undergrad.

My biased thoughts...

There is little similarity between AA and CRNA. All advantages lie with nurse anesthesia.

Facts...

A minority of states allow AA's to practice. There is much controversy about their practice.

jwk · Jun 24, 2005

Better check to see if you are really half way through undergrad classes and have some pre reqs for anesthesia school. Pre reqs for CRNA are pretty much master's level courses. Admission or allowance to take grad classes is usually contingent on completion of your undergrad.
My biased thoughts...
There is little similarity between AA and CRNA. All advantages lie with nurse anesthesia.
Facts...
A minority of states allow AA's to practice. There is much controversy about their practice.

MilwaukeeMike, I'll be glad to give you the true story and more info privately if you're interested.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 24, 2005

Milwaukee Mike - I suggest that you do a search on this subject. As another alluded to - there is a lot of controversy about the AA and you are better off to just get the facts in the state where you live.

sandman1 · Jun 24, 2005

Both are very respectable professions and I don't think you can generalize CRNA's are better than AA's or the opposite. I have met crappy and awesome anesthesia providers in both fields. It's about what works for you. If you are not a nurse yet, you can become an AA quicker because of the whole nursing school thing and then a few years ICU experience. I prefer CRNA because:

1. more autonomy

2. can work in any state versus only a few

3. I can't imagine going into this field without an extensive healthcare background first........but that's just me.

I don't know if there is a salary difference or not. It's a decision that you should make based on your needs. Sounds to me like you could be an AA about 4-6 years quicker from the position you are currently in.

lmdscd · Jun 24, 2005

If AA's are the same let them take and get a lic to pratice without mds! If there the same .Wonder why they dont hmm. Just my 2 cents here , have great weekend :)

sandman1 · Jun 24, 2005

Nobody said the were the same.....

If AA are the same let them take and get a lic to pratice without mds! If there the same .Wonder why they dont hmm. Just my 2 cents here , have great weekend :)

shirleyTX · Jun 24, 2005

I really wonder when people say that they are VERY interested in becoming a CRNA, then don't know hardly anything about the profession. The funny thing is that EVERYONE can state the starting pay??????? Sorry, I know I shouldnt write anything b/c I am not a CRNA or SRNA, but since being exposed to the profession in 2001, I've been preparing for that special day when I might be able to apply. The last 4 years in nursing school was very challenging, (even if not true) hoping never to get a B just so I might have a chance when I apply to CRNA school. Now that that hells over with, here comes GRE, more Chem. classes, and the hope to transfer into an ICU once I complete my 1st year as a new grad in cardio.. All this to become a CRNA. As you can see, there is so much preparation needed in becoming a CRNA, so maybe just doing basic research would help you. I know I'll probley get blasted for writing this, but as a hopefully SRNA one day, I know how hard I've worked and will have to work if I ever want to accomplish this goal and it really urks me when people "act" interested, but can't state the very basics as the differences b/t AA's and CRNA.

I'm done, blast away :rolleyes:

jwk · Jun 24, 2005

If AA are the same let them take and get a lic to pratice without mds! If there the same .Wonder why they dont hmm. Just my 2 cents here , have great weekend :)

We're not the same. Thank god.

lmdscd · Jun 24, 2005

Nobody said the were the same.....

Ok sorry instead of same , I should of put the difference between.

JimmyMallo · Jun 25, 2005

The main difference I have seen is that an AA is an assistant, they can assist MD's and even do procedures if there is a doctor in the house to fall back on. In some hospitals this is how it is with CRNA's, they assist the MD's, watch easy cases for doc's, etc. The hospital I'm doing clinicals in right now for nursing school is like this. MD's do all the inductions, spinals, edidurals, etc. and the CRNA's come in and maintain once the MD gets things the way he wants it. The DIFFERENCE is this, a CRNA who doesn't like this arrangement can go elsewhere and as a licensed practitioner he may work in a hospital where there are no MD's doing anesthesia. A CRNA can do it all and can even start his own group practice. Now this is usually done in rural area's mind you but a CRNA has the CHOICE. My opinion is that having more choices in life is always the way to go. You may not mind assisting an MD but after doing it for 10 years you might like the opportunity to strike out on your own and not always have an MD running your cases. By the way JYK, this is just my opinion and I respect ALL anethesia providers AA's included. I just find the CRNA route more appealing the me personally because I like autonomy and being my own boss and I love the country :rolleyes: I hope this is usefull, good luck in all your endeavors!:)