CRNA vs AA- FL...please HELP!

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Hi members!

My name is Natalie, and I am a college sophomore at a four-year university. I've been having quite the dilemma with my major and the route I wish to pursue. I love science, medicine, and healthcare and I know this is the field for me. I have a 4.0 GPA with a strong background in science but also with liberal arts. My current major is Healthcare with the intent to apply to the BSN program (I will start the nursing program next spring if accepted). However, my advisor seems to think that being pre-med is an awesome route for me because of my love for science.

Here is the dilemma on potentially becoming a CRNA:

Because I have waited two years before deciding to pursue a BSN (in hopes of eventually becoming a CRNA), I have pushed my undergrad career back at least three years. Also, the minimum one year of work experience in the ICU as a requirement for a CRNA program is daunting me. On top of that, I'm looking at 2-3 years of the CRNA program. I am in no way looking for a speedy pass through this process, especially because I seriously love school, but should I be listening to that little voice in my head that is saying "that's too much time, you might not even like the nursing curriculum, and you're only doing this to eventually be able to practice with anesthesia NOT because I love the idea of nursing itself 100%" ?

Now, here is the dilemma on potentially becoming an AA (anesthesiologist assistant):

First off, I love the curriculum, no complaints there. I am a science junkie. Organic and inorganic chem, physics, calculus, statistics etc. are all fascinating to me. I love to challenge myself. I also prefer a "pre-med" curriculum just because I think it will interest me way more than the nursing curriculum will. The problem lies within the potential job outlook for AAs. I am from Jersey, but I am a Florida girl at heart. I have attended school in FL before, and doing so again for an AA program would be no problem. It would actually be more enjoyable for me. (Palm trees, sunshine, Disney, anyone else?) :cat: However, I am unsure of how often AAs are hired. Do work places prefer CRNAs or AAs? Is there a real difference between job tasks? Can anyone also share the starting salary and average salaries for AAs.

I have been researching both fields obsessively, because now is the time that I need to make some decisions for my future. I have come across a lot of information but I want to see how much truth is behind the web. I am looking for real answers that will help with guidance. It is greatly appreciated. Last, I apologize for this lengthy post!

Last minute facts:

* I plan on working and living in Florida

* Anesthesia is SO fascinating to me and I definitely want to practice with it

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Specializes in NICU.

Just doing a quick search on indeed.com showed numerous job openings for CRNA and only 1 job opening for AA in Florida and it was a faculty job. My advice would be CRNA.

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Specializes in SICU / Transport / Hyperbaric.

Not to sound rude, but you came onto a nursing website in the Pre-CRNA inquiry section to ask if you should become a CRNA or an AA. I think most people here are going to go with CRNA. But that is just a guess.

Getting into either one is not a gimme. Your grades will probably get you interviews, but nothing is guaranteed. If you don't get into CRNA school you will have a solid degree in nursing to fall back on. But you have to be willing to work as a nurse afterwords or you have just wasted a lot of time. Only you can make that decision.

The quickest path to something is not always the best. (I did not try to sound like a fortune cookie on purpose)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I will just provide a comparison table from NM association of nurse anesthetists. http://www.nmana.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AA-CRNA-comparison-table.pdf You can draw your own conclusions.

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"...the minimum one year of work experience in the ICU as a requirement for a CRNA program is daunting me."

Really? You must establish a core foundation and 1 year is almost never enough.

I can't think of a better profession for me than CRNA. It is amazing, but I'll be honest and say that you don't sound like you have a healthy respect for the sacrifice it takes. I know it's the internet and you wrote in a forum and we really don't know you and you don't know us. But honestly the feeling I get from your post is one of expediency and convenience rather than perseverance and sacrifice--2 of many qualities necessary to become a good CRNA. I would say find a CRNA in your hometown and sit down and really talk to them about the profession, what it took/takes, and then share with them your concerns.Good luck to you1

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I am biased, but I would say CRNA because AAs have a more limited scope of practice and are not employed everywhere. If you ever wanted to move you would be stuck to states with AAs. Also, you will be at the mercy of an MD for pay and scheduling, since they have complete control over AAs they can dictate salary and scope of practice for you.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.

Wow reading this post was freaky because I got a lot of déjà vu! I was exactly in the same position as you my sophomore year in college wrestling with the idea of nursing for CRNA vs pre-med. I also had a 4.0 and could pretty much pick either route. As a guy, I was your typical ignorant prick and was uncomfortable with the idea of being a male nurse. I also craved more science-based classes versus the roles and practices of the community nurse (gag)! However meeting with and shadowing a CRNA is what got me to go that route. I'll be completely honest, nursing school was a chore. The nursing theory classes had me banging my head against a wall, but the pharmacology and pathophysiology classes were very interesting. I also took organic chemistry I and II in preparation for my eventual application to CRNA school. Once graduated, I worked on a step-down unit while getting every certification available to me and hounding the ICU for any openings for a new-grad. Finally the day came and I got the interview and the subsequent position. Originally I wasn't too thrilled about the 1 year required of acute care. I wanted to finish my career ASAP and didn't think I'd learn anything on the unit that I couldn't learn in a book or from a good teacher. Boy was I wrong. Due to the acuity of the unit I worked on, I literally got to play with the life and death of my patients, on a smaller scale of what I do now as a CRNA. I learned so much and surprisingly loved it, it was hard work but I went home feeling great about the work I did. I was almost wistful when I applied to CRNA school but I never lost sight of my goal. Trust me when I tell you anesthesia school will satisfy any science/medical itch you may have, and it will then give you rashes and welts. I chose a MSNA program vs MSN program, so the nursing theory was minimal and the science was forefront. The didactics were challenging as hell, but nothing compared to clinicals. I felt like I went through hell and back. But it was worth every second I endured. This is the best profession I could ever ask for. I've worked with AA's and find that they deliver fine quality anesthesia. I just wonder what will happen when FL eventually opts out. It'll be good to be a CRNA when that happens.

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