CRNA VS anesthesiologist MD

AwesomeNurse2Be · Jul 5, 2009

The pay is definately a BIG difference. More schooling to become a MD. You can do more than a CRNA. A CRNA work under the MD.

keithjones · Jul 5, 2009

CRNA need 1-2 years critical care experience post BSN. and 2-3 years for the CRNA. the MD route will require 1-2 years additional science courses to get into med school for 4 more years followed by 3 years residency and 1-2 more years for fellowship. so post BSN 11 years for MD vs 3-5 for CRNA. Both perform the same procedures in the OR and many hospitals are hiring more CRNAs since they are cheaper. you can still plan on making 160-200k a year as a CRNA though so not shabby.

meandragonbrett · Jul 5, 2009

and 1-2 more years for fellowship.

Fellowship is not a requirement.

meandragonbrett · Jul 5, 2009

The pay is definately a BIG difference. More schooling to become a MD. You can do more than a CRNA. A CRNA work under the MD.

A CRNA does not work "under" anybody. CRNAs and Anesthesiologists collaborate within an anesthesia care team environment. CRNAs can also work independently of anesthesiologists.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2009

Our head anesthesiologist told his kids to go to CRNA school.

What does that tell you?

PageRespiratory! · Jul 5, 2009

I am trying to decide weather I should become a CRNA or anesthesiologist.
Can anyone help with the pro's and con's of each
What do CRNA do that is different than a anesthesiologist?
What can a anesthesiologist do that a CRNA can't?
Any other information would be great (I have a huge interest in anesthesiology, and I am in a BSN program now, but I have been told to look into becoming a MD instead of a CRNA.)
Any help would be great. And thanks!

>

Practice medicine.

PageRespiratory! · Jul 5, 2009

Our head anesthesiologist told his kids to go to CRNA school.
What does that tell you?

>

That he doesn't think his kids have what it takes to become an anesthesiologist.

goodgrief · Jul 5, 2009

the head anesthesiologist on the cardiothoracic ICU that I work on tells me EVERYDAY to go to CRNA school. anesthesiology residents all the time tell me if they could do it over again that they would go to CRNA school. you don't work "under" an anesthesiologist, CRNA's have their own license and in many settings work COMPLETELY independent.

chrisciwi · Jul 5, 2009

Your comments are very helpful!!!

How hard is it for a RN to get into ICU (in northeast if that makes a difference), as a new graduate?

markuskristian · Jul 5, 2009

The future of anesthesia (based entirely on what I've read.. no experience here at all) is pretty unclear. Many hospitals are picking up more CRNAs in order to lower costs, however when a CRNA works independently they are pushing into the area of practicing medicine. There's legislation going around that is either going to open up the CRNA field by allowing independent practice or limit CRNAs to require MD supervision (whether it's an MDA or any other MD is another issue).

In most cases, both MDA and CRNAs can perform anesthesia services in the same quality, however an MDA does have medical school under his or her belt, so in some complicated cases, the MDA may be more able to handle the case.

MDAs make significantly more money, but they also have to carry a tremendous Liability Insurance. The future salary is also unclear due to Obama's healthcare plan that is in the works. You can expect salaries for both to decrease.

One MDA I have spoke with about careers told me that if I'm absolutely certain that anesthesia is the only thing I want to do then I should save my time and money and become a CRNA, but he also said that if I have the slightest doubt I might want to pursue another healthcare/medical field.. then I should go to med school and figure out my specialty along the way.

Hope that helped somewhat.

Murse7 · Jul 5, 2009

Anesthesiologists can also be intensivists, or attending physicians in the SICU. CRNA's cannot. ACNP's do most of the things intensivists do. Anesthesiologists can also prescribe medicine. I'm sure there are other differences.