DO (school) in anesthesiology or CRNA school

Mantibob · Mar 14, 2004

Wow, you have sparked my curiosity. If you dont mind could you go into detail on your reasons for moving to Thailand. I am at the age now that I have to start thinking about retirement. Its still about 15 years away but I have nothing saved up and one can not really survive well (in the US) on social security. I am hoping I will get with a hospital or organization that will have a great retirment program. Anyway, this is why I ask about Thailand - I have been researching countries where the weather is warm and the cost of living is low. I have focused on Mexico because of its proximity to the states, but am open to other countries. So, anything you can tell me about Thailand would be helpfull. Do you own your apt? How expensive is real estate - rent vs buy? What is the cost-of-living like? Do you have employment there? Can one travel nurse from there? I hope you do not mind all these questions. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

I am originally from Michigan, worked as an RN for 25 years, and then moved over here entirely about 16 months ago. Have had an apt here for over 5 years so I did alot of commuting. Now prefer sunny weather year round. And I can see my office form my terrace, walking distance of only about three blocks.

Roland · Mar 14, 2004

1. I haven't seen anyone list Biochem (after two semesters Organic or along with the second O-chem class), comparitive zoology, or genetics listed in the prerequisites for medical school. Most of the schools around here consider those standard classes in addition to the other classes listed. In addition, most (but certainly not all) successful medical school applicants have degrees in the sciences with Biology and Chemistry being the most common. Also with regard to medical school you are probably more likely to experience some hidden (or overt) "age discrimination" given the length of medical school education. One good reply would be that you intend to work well beyond sixty-five (consider lifestyle approaches such as caloric restriction with adequate nutrition, and resistence exercise to lengthen your working life span). In general the YOUNGER someone is the more logical medical school becomes relative to becoming a nurse anesthesist. That is because the advantages of an MDA's salary mount over time (initially a CRNA might even do better given their lower debt service, and malpractice insurance costs relative to an MDA). At thirty four (and my wife thirty three) we consider ourselves at least ten years to old to seriously consider medical school. Furthermore, in our case we gave up a $100,000 per year appraisal/mortgage business to go back to school and become nurses (medical insurance played a big role in our decision after my son was born). Unlike, many on this board our PRIMARY motivation for wanting to become CRNA's is monetary as it may help to enable us to live in Oahu (where I was stationed in the Navy).

Roland · Mar 14, 2004

By the way WE ARE ALL paying the sky high medical Liability Insurance costs in the form of higher medical, insurance premiums. In addition, the high rates are driving many doctors from certain specialties further driving up the fees of those which remain. Tort reform should be seen as a common legislative goal both of nurses and doctors (and enlightened citizens). Doctors have tired to respond with websites such as http://www.doctorsknowus , however these sites face certain issues with regard to federal black listing laws (they were trying to take advantage of the fact that a very small percentage of patients are responsible for a rather large percentage of malpractice suits). In addition, I think it likely that insurance costs for CRNA's are likely to increase significantly as more states "opt out" of federal Medicare, supervisory requirements. Perhaps, someone can explain to me how it is that the FAST FOOD INDUSTRY can manage to obtain legislative, liability protection already (just passed the House this week) when medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to healing are unable to do the same?

CRNAsoon · Mar 14, 2004

Tenesma ... Thanks for sharing. I truly appreciate your candor.

$87,000 per year for MDA (me)

duckboy20 · Mar 14, 2004

I do not live in Thailand but have been there before, it is beautiful!

dkbmcclellan · Mar 15, 2004

Just an FYI, I have seen MANY DO anesthesiologists, especially in less urban areas.

In my experience I do not recall ever seeing a DO anesthesiologist. You would be more marketable if you completed crna school or med school. Residency for anesthesia is 1 year of general internship and then you do 4 years of anesthesia. Good luck.:)

dkbmcclellan · Mar 15, 2004

Ditto. Before I decided to go to nursing school I had already spent two years getting an associates in general science cuz I thought I wanted to go to med school. This was AFTER getting a BS in management and working in the investment world for 10 years. I even taught some gen chem & physics for one of the MCAT prep companies over the summer just before I started packing for med school but then I thought LONG and HARD. I knew I wanted to do anesthesia and I didn't want to spend the next 10-12 years in school when I knew what I wanted to do and I wasn't a "spring chicken" anymore (30-something). Actually, I wasn't even aware of CRNAs til I was going under myself for an ortho surgery one day and a really cool guy wearing an awesome grateful deadish tie-dyed scrub top introduced himself to me as "my nurse anesthetist". We talked some and I didn my own research. Long story short, I knew right then I would be taking that route. So I skipped med school, did the RN (ASN) thing, I'm finishing up my BSN at the end of this year while getting my critical care experience (yes, I have no life but my husband calls me his retirement plan). Anyway, bottom line is you gotta reach deep down and ask youself what it is you really want to do. It is a good idea to spend some time with a CRNA or in the OR. There's a great deal of autonomy as a CRNA and that's one of the big attractions for me as well as my love for chem & physics.

So far these responses are good, except I think people are underestimating what it takes to get in to med school. your ASN will mean practically nothing. If you get a BSN (which you'll need), you'll still need to take a year of inorganic chem, a year of O-chem, a year of physics (the kind that uses calculus), microbiology and mollecular biology. If you're thinking "I'm already taking some of those classes for nursing school", think again. The med school councelors practically were choking back the laughter when I described my organic/biochem class I took. Same with my micro class.
Also, remember that even if you have a BSN, you'll be competing for med school slots almost exclusively with people who majored in "pre med", microbiology, or other hard sciences. An ASN to BSN isn't exactally very competitive.
I'm not saying it's impossible, but warning you not to underestimate what it takes to endure med school. CRNA school is tough, but it is short because it is so focused on a specific skill. In med school (and especially DO school) you'll spend years (and thousands of dollars) learning about things that have absolutely nothing to do with anesthesia. I think you're looking at about 10 years of full-time-hard-core school AFTER you get your BSN, and probably in the neighborhood of $200,000 of debt. That's not where I want to be when I'm in my 50s.

nilepoc · Mar 15, 2004

Tenesma ... Thanks for sharing. I truly appreciate your candor.

I know a CRNA, who recently had to go on staff, because she could not find an insurer she could afford as a CRNA. She wanted to remain a locum CRNA.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 15, 2004

I speak Spanish but much prefer living over here versus Mexico.

1. Cost of lving is actually cheap compared to many other places but not why I chose it over here. I have a three bedroom penthouse, all hardwood or marble floors, separate breakfast room, 5 bathrooms, two large terraces plus a balcony, about 240 square meters, for approximately $1500 per month INCLUDING all utilities. (telephone, air cond., water,garbage, etc) Have a swimming pool on the 6th floor of my building and a gym on the 6th floor.

2. In terms of working as a nurse in a hospital, forget it. You would have to take a licensing exam over here and it is only given in Thai. The salaries here are quite low, in comparison to the US for nurses, approx $350-400 per month. But they get their housing paid for and meals at the hospital for free.

3. I actually own and operate a school over here.

4. Cost of food is very cheap. 2 egg omelette on the street (with tomatoes,onions, green onion, etc. for about 15 baht, which translates to about $0.35. A whole grilled fish for about $0.25 to $0.75 depending on the type of fish. You can purchase 30 eggs here for about $1.50. Still not eating chicken at the moment because of the bird flu problem, though eggs are okay. I make my puppies pork chops every day, 2 nice size ones for about $0.60. Vegetables are extremely cheap. Fruits too. And right form the farm overnight, not on a boat for a few weeks.

5. I have had an apt in my same building for about 5 years, love the service there, plus I can see my terrace form my office, so it works out better for me right now instead of purchasing. You can rent a large one bedroom in my building for about $600, about 1000 square feet.

Hope that this helps. Feel free to send me a PM or an e-mail to

[email protected]

:balloons:

p.s. After living over here, don't think that I could ever live back in the US. I have a housekeeper 6 mornings per week, etc.)

deepz · Mar 15, 2004

$87,000 per year for MDA (me)

Pardon my asking, but are you not a resident in training?

deepz

Tenesma · Mar 15, 2004

Pardon my asking, but are you not a resident in training?
deepz

not anymore :)

sway · Mar 15, 2004

Maybe we should start a new thread for this, but I'd be interested in knowing a little more about the ins and outs of malpractice insurance for CRNAs. What are most of you (who are practicing) paying? Is it difficult to get?