CRNA, Anesthesiologist Relationships

Specialties CRNA

Published

To any SRNAs and CRNAs,

I am an RN starting CRNA school later this year. Anesthesia intrigues me, and I have highly enjoyed every shadowing experience I've had with CRNAs. I have spent years of my life committed to joining this field. While preparing for school, I've perused the internet regarding the state of the field of anesthesia, and it is worrying. I've seen so much animosity between physicians and nurse anesthetists.

I hate drama. I don't like politics distracting from the quality of patient care. I know people can be entirely different behind the computer screen (e.g. keyboard warriors), but I am still worried. Are these online wars of malicious opinions a true reflection of the field? Is there animosity in the clinical setting? Maybe it is all over-exaggerated, but I've seen so many negative opinions of the field of anesthesia and the direction it's heading from both sides (nurses and physicians). I just don't want to join a field that is in the middle of a huge war.

I respect physicians and the years of their lives they've spent dedicated to the practice of medicine. I equally respect nurses and APRNs who've done the same. Any reflections and experiences would be appreciated.

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
On 5/15/2019 at 6:03 PM, DO_question said:

To both the above,

Exactly. The term "anesthesiologist," was termed due to the confusion (everyone went by anesthetist prior) and now you can see CRNAs pushing to use Anesthesiologist. I'll take your word on the copy right issue.

Please walk in anywhere and state "I'm an anesthesiologist," and ask the surgeon, tech, other physicians, nurses etc whether they think you're a physician or a nurse...

They usually think that you are the one providing the anesthesia.

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
On 5/16/2019 at 6:19 PM, hogger said:

I bet the surgeons you work with never make fun of you in the lounge. I’m sure your supervising anesthesiologist also loves you with that nurse is god attitude. Or are you still a student at MTSA

Generally our surgeons introduce us as the anesthesiologist and I don't know what a supervising anesthesiologist is.

On 5/19/2019 at 6:05 PM, RicRock said:

Generally our surgeons introduce us as the anesthesiologist and I don't know what a supervising anesthesiologist is.

Good to see your surgeons start the morning with such transparency...

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
14 hours ago, DO_question said:

Good to see your surgeons start the morning with such transparency...

Not sure about transparency, they recognize that the general public just knows the anesthesiologist is the person that puts them to sleep. They (the public) doesn't know if that's a nurse, a doctor, or a cat.

Currently, I introduce myself 3 -6 (or more) times a day as a nurse anesthetist and they look at me confused. I say nurse anesthesiologist, and they immediately understand what my role is.

So your solution to a patient not being sure what an anesthetist is to appropriate a physician's title? I will say, the most important part of transparency there is that you identify that you work in anesthesia and that you're their nurse, so (legit no sarcasm) I can say the most important part is fine.

I don't see why the ANAA wants to keep blurring lines with patients.

Definition of anesthesiologist (taken from Webster's)

: anesthetist specifically : a physician specializing in anesthesiology

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
2 hours ago, DO_question said:

Definition of anesthesiologist (taken from Webster's)

: anesthetist specifically : a physician specializing in anesthesiology

Yawn.

It's not a physician title. And I could give you sources, but you and I are never going to agree.

Read the ASA survey as to the reasons they went with physician anesthesiologist. They provide the best arguments.

Not sure what stake you have in it but I wish you well.

If CRNAs were referred to as "anesthesia nurses," all of this would be cleared up. Physicians have changed names mostly to differentiate themselves from nurses... which seem to keep wanting to blur the difference.

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
28 minutes ago, DO_question said:

If CRNAs were referred to as "anesthesia nurses," all of this would be cleared up. Physicians have changed names mostly to differentiate themselves from nurses... which seem to keep wanting to blur the difference.

Did you read the ASA survey and conclusion?

I'm not finding anything on the subject, care to link it?

Added: I have however, found a paper espousing almost exactly what I've been told by every attending anesthesiologist I've discussed this with.

All I know and care about, is when I had my twins in an emergency c section, I insisted upon an MD anesthesiologist. My daughters had no problems at birth, were taken care of by neonatologists and are now fellowship trained, board certified physicians in their own specialties.

I thank God for that everyday. I worked for 10 years at a Children's Hospital in the OR that only used MD anesthesiologists. They were there every step of the way during our open hearts. Those wonderful doctors earned my respect every day,

A competent and excellent MD anesthesiologist is worth their weight in gold.

Now that I have seen first hand what an anesthesiologist goes through in medical school and 4 years of residency and fellowship there is no comparison to what a CRNA especially with BSNs with on line training.

Yes, I worked just out of a BSN program straight into the SICU taking care of fresh open hearts. I did know WHAT to do but didn't know the WHY. And was coming from the most highly rated BSN programs in the country.

That is my rationale for preferring medical school trained MDs instead of CRNAs.

Please feel free to disagree. Nothing will change my mind, but may influence others.

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
13 hours ago, DO_question said:

I'm not finding anything on the subject, care to link it?

Added: I have however, found a paper espousing almost exactly what I've been told by every attending anesthesiologist I've discussed this with.

If I thought it would make a difference to you, I'd dig for it but it was published over 6 years ago. I'm sure one of your buddies could dig it up for you. It's the position statement from the ASA telling them to refer to themselves as physician anesthesiologists

Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
1 hour ago, twinsmom788 said:

All I know and care about, is when I had my twins in an emergency c section, I insisted upon an MD anesthesiologist.

Very glad your girls are alright.

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