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.

18 hours 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.

I am sure you always identify yourself as an Osteopath, and never let them think you are a medical doctor? Right?!?

How many times a month do you get asked, "oh, wow, were you not able or smart enough to go to medical school?" I am guessing a LOT.

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18 hours 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.

Dental Anesthesiologist is an accepted and now legally acknowledged title and descriptor. Did they blur the lines? Do you troll their websites? Do you object to their title and recognition?

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6 hours ago, BigPappaCRNA said:

I am sure you always identify yourself as an Osteopath, and never let them think you are a medical doctor? Right?!?

How many times a month do you get asked, "oh, wow, were you not able or smart enough to go to medical school?" I am guessing a LOT.

I do love your screen name!

Hijacking this thread to say I have known ( both personally and professionally in the past) several DOs. My opinion of their training and practice was that of highly experienced and smart PAs.

However, my current doctor is a DO and is the finest physician I have ever met. I am so lucky to have found him. This comes after 40 years of working with all types of providers, good, bad, ugly, terrible, excellent ,etc.

In my opinion this is truth in any medical profession.

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Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
On 5/30/2019 at 7:15 AM, twinsmom788 said:

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.

Just wanted to note real quick.

You do realize that CRNAs have a graduate degree and go through a residency right?

With my BSN, I didn't know the WHY either.

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3 hours ago, RicRock said:

Just wanted to note real quick.

You do realize that CRNAs have a graduate degree and go through a residency right?

With my BSN, I didn't know the WHY either.

Yes, of course, I know what a CRNA's training involves. I worked for the BON in my state and had many previous years as an OR nurse mostly CVOR.

Thanks for clarifying that though. I think what really bothers me are professionals who do not identify themselves correctly. I went to an urgent care in a small town. The providers were identified on the front door as a DO and a PA. The woman who saw me was very sloppy and disheveled. No name tag, with uncombed hair or introduction. The place was not that busy and I certainly was not an acute case, just coughing my head off. I found out she was a NP when I picked up my prescriptions.

In my state, Registered Nurses are required to wear name tags identifying themselves as such.

I do honestly believe that CRNAs have much better training/education than in the past.

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Lol you guys know DO=MD legally in the US right?

On 5/30/2019 at 6:23 PM, twinsmom788 said:

I do love your screen name!

Hijacking this thread to say I have known ( both personally and professionally in the past) several DOs. My opinion of their training and practice was that of highly experienced and smart PAs.

However, my current doctor is a DO and is the finest physician I have ever met. I am so lucky to have found him. This comes after 40 years of working with all types of providers, good, bad, ugly, terrible, excellent ,etc.

In my opinion this is truth in any medical profession.

The titles in every single sense, equal and the sole difference is an additional course DO students take on manual medicine right? You realize there's no specialty that DOs don't practice in right? You realize we take the same board exams right? The level of professional ignorance above is pretty laughable.

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I really hope you are not calling me personally laughable and ignorant.

I was saying my personal opinion based on experience in the military.

I love my DO peronal physician !

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23 hours ago, twinsmom788 said:

I really hope you are not calling me personally laughable and ignorant.

I was saying my personal opinion based on experience in the military.

I love my DO peronal physician !

Oh I for sure am. You compared DO physicians to PAs...

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39 minutes ago, DO_question said:

Oh I for sure am. You compared DO physicians to PAs...

And I will tell you why...the first DO I ever met was weak clinically and had to ask the PAs for help in patient situations. She did not score well on the MCAT so she went to DO school. Some PAs are the best providers I have ever met.

Obviously, DOs and PAs and MDs have good and bad practitioners.

My current physician is a DO and I could not find anyone better to treat me.

So, I will just carry on being ignorant and laughable...and I won't change, bahahaha and I will tell my doctor you said so.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Okay guys lets remain professional. Yes, credentials and earned titles are very important. However, I do not equate DO = PA as my personal experience (both when I was active duty military and in my civilian life) have always been favorable.

I equate DO=MD. However, I also equate my title of CNS as equal to NP.

So, we may have differing opinions but we need to remain professional.

Thank you

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I obviously believe that DO=MD or I wouldn't be trusting my DO with my life.

In my personal experience , I have dealt with DOs who were not as well trained as PAs...just saying and FWIW, I'm done here with trying to express my first amendment rights to my own opinion.

I am not the one who called a poster ignorant and laughable.

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"The level of professional ignorance above is laughable."

I attacked your lack of knowledge perceived from my perspective and knowledge base, not you as a person. If you don't like criticism of your views then don't make those statements.

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