Controversies between CRNA's vs. Anesthesiologists

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This post might raise some hell but here it goes.

Why are there controversies over CRNA's vs. Anesthesiologists in reason over that CRNA's are worthless, dont have enough knowledge, have huge mal practice, etc.? All of my research has led me to believe that the average CRNA has 3 years of experience in the anesthetist field before the MDA does. I understand that the ratio of CRNA's vs. MDA's cost involved is around 7-1 or 10-1. With the strict guidelines that CRNA schools have in order to get into there programs, why is it in the MD field people talk so badly about them? (CRNA's) The average CRNA school might recieve well over 500 applicants but will only accept maybe 15-20 for the Masters program because they want the best RN's there are! No, CRNA's do not have 4 extra years of medical school. But, with the amount of training put into the CRNA program why are they looked so frowned upon. My wife works in a law firm and has been for 8 years and she recieves more cases of med-mal practice with MDA's surgeons and so forth with only few nurse mal practice cases. What I have read extensively between CRNA's vs. MDA's is that the average mal practice between both pans out to be the same. Another thing I would like to add is that as a CRNA you have had your Bachelor's of Science in Nursing with 1-2 years of clinicals, an average time in profession throughout the nation is 7 years or nursing practice before they are even admited to the Masters CRNA program, followed by there rigorous program and clinicals. Yes, I know that you can be admitted into the program after 1 year of critical car, ICU, etc but the national average is 5-7 years. Having said that, CRNA's will still on average have 3 years experience before a new MDA is in practice. I would appreciate any feedback possible on this topic as I am writing my thesis paper on this subject.

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

For a thesis paper I'd suggest you do a search of the literature and maybe design and execute an opinion survey. That would be more reliable and authoritative than anecdotes and opinions gathered here.

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Thank you for your reply. I have already done the formatting on my thesis but I am including opinions from outside forums such as this so any help would be great. Thanks.

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Specializes in CRNA.

I don't know what the true motive is here, being that this is your first post. However, the majority of CRNA/anesthesiologist controversy exists only in fantasy land ie: anonymous boards such as allnurses, sdn and the other website whose name cannot be mentioned for some odd reason. In the real world, a lot of the controversy is created by each practitioner's professional association (AANA, ASA). Some of it is valid and some of it is not.

Many of the anesthesiologists I work with are actually pretty good guys who are fun to shoot and fish with. The bottom line is that at the end of the day, it is a job that each person wants to finish so that we can go home to our families and extracurricular activities.

Maybe you could post this on sdn to get a different view point for your paper:D

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Specializes in CVICU, anesthesia.

What exactly is your question? I don't think there is a lot of controversy over the use of CRNAs...they are very widely used in my area, and all over the country as far as I know. I was of the impression that they were generally well accepted in the field. I have never heard anyone say that CRNAs are "worthless" or don't have enough knowledge to practice safely, actually, I have heard the exact opposite. CRNAs are very highly respected both by nurses and physicians that I have spoken to. And from reading on these boards, you will find that it is a highly sought after advanced practice nursing field, and I'm not exactly sure why so many nurses would want to become a CRNA if they were disrespected, had huge malpractice, and people considered them to be worthless. I'm sure there are some terrible CRNAs out there (just like there are some terrible MDAs and RNs) but in general CRNAs are great at what they do. I don't think you are going to get very far in your research if you are looking for negative opinions on CRNAs.

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I used to live in a area of the US that used CRNA's. We all liked them and got along well with them. Our anesthesiologists enjoyed working with them. I know some of them wished that they got to give anestheisa more often but overall it was very positive. I then moved to an area of the US that does not use CRNA's. When I asked about this difference it was like I said a dirty word. You get a very negative reaction when you mention using CRNA's here. This is especially true if the physician went to a certain university. Their philosophy is that they want to keep the profession "pure" and only use MD's. The feeling is that CRNA's are not able to deliver anesthesia as well as a physician. I hope this helps somewhat and also lets others know that CRNA's are not used nationally.

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Specializes in CRNA.
I used to live in a area of the US that used CRNA's. We all liked them and got along well with them. Our anesthesiologists enjoyed working with them. I know some of them wished that they got to give anestheisa more often but overall it was very positive. I then moved to an area of the US that does not use CRNA's. When I asked about this difference it was like I said a dirty word. You get a very negative reaction when you mention using CRNA's here. This is especially true if the physician went to a certain university. Their philosophy is that they want to keep the profession "pure" and only use MD's. The feeling is that CRNA's are not able to deliver anesthesia as well as a physician. I hope this helps somewhat and also lets others know that CRNA's are not used nationally.

Dude, please try to refrain from posting information that is not correct. Nurse Anesthetists practice in all 50 states. If I were to reverse your statement, I could say that anesthesiologists are not used nationally because in some hospitals and surgery centers there are CRNA only groups.

Also, the 'pure' statement is comical as well. Do yourself a favor and look up Charles Mayo, Alice Magaw and Lakeside Hospital school of anesthesia. I think after reviewing this you will laugh as well.

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Please do not call me dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! While I may need to clarify my post I did not post incorrect information. CRNA's are not used in the hospitals in the city where I currently live. I also was simply stating what some of the anesthesiologists told me about their feelings of working with CRNA's. I personally like working with CRNA's and find that they really enjoy teaching the patients and nurses. I also wanted to make sure that others knew there were areas that have physicians who refuse to allow CRNA's to practice. The thread asked for replies on this topic so I was giving my experience. I am so sorry for offending you RedCell.

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