CRNA vs AA

gasmaster · Apr 6, 2008

Even though they both deliver anesthesia they are very different. An AA becomes degreed without ever having any hands-on patient experience out in practice prior to their training. They are not allowed to work independent of an MDA (MD of anesthesia). To become a CRNA you must have a BSN, at least 1 or more years of critical care experience, have certain certifications. In many states CRNA's can work independent of an MDA. In short, CRNAs have an extensive background in direct critical care, and are more indepedent than AA's. I suggest going to each disciplines website for more indepth info.

mammothsnw · Apr 7, 2008

IF you are OK with working in FL, GA, OH, NC, or a few other states (and BTW even in states like OH for example there are only a select few hospitals that hire AA's...In other words...just because you are licensed in the state doesn't mean you can work anywhere in the state) and are fine with always being supervised, less opportnities for specialization, then go for it....

Otherwise invest a couple extra years and go the CRNA route. A couple years ago a buddy and I were having this conversation. He went the AA route and just started working...and I am getting ready to start CRNA school in the fall. He wants to move out west but can not ....and everytime we speak he tells me he wishes he would have went the CRNA route (for reasons other than just location).

That being said.... someone kill this thread before it gets ugly :)

mammothsnw · Apr 7, 2008

Also...If I were your age and not a nurse already...the only question I would ask myself is CRNA vs MDA??...and knowing what I know now...I would still choose CRNA. good luck

MB37 · Apr 11, 2008

Exactly. If you're only 22, is there a reason not to consider med school (not that it's the right choice, but should you consider it)? Are you an RN/in nursing school? If you are, it doesn't make as much sense to become an AA. If you have a bachelor's in something else, the AA route is much shorter, but as mentioned, your opportunities to practice are more limited. From what I've read, the pay at facilities who hire both CRNAs and AAs is identical.

japaho41 · Apr 20, 2008

I don't think that if the AA route was even shorter by 10yrs that I would advise anyone to go that route. Like a previous post stated why would want to limit yourself to just a hand of states and hospitals that would allow you to work. Secondly anywhere you go is going to be dominated by CRNA's that are not going to respect you nor your profession one bit. Spend the extra time and follow the correct path into the profession on anesthesia.

jwk · Apr 21, 2008

I don't think that if the AA route was even shorter by 10yrs that I would advise anyone to go that route. Like a previous post stated why would want to limit yourself to just a hand of states and hospitals that would allow you to work. Secondly anywhere you go is going to be dominated by CRNA's that are not going to respect you nor your profession one bit. Spend the extra time and follow the correct path into the profession on anesthesia.

17 states and counting for AA's - multiple job offers to each new grad - not a bad deal. And the "anywhere you go....CRNA's....no respect" quickly goes by the wayside once they see that the propaganda they've been hearing from the AANA all those years is just BS. Yes, we work closely with anesthesiologists, like 2/3 of the CRNA's do in this country. The concept of the totally independent CRNA is not nearly as common as they would have you believe, certainly far from a majority. CAN they be totally independent? Yes, in some cases. ARE they totally independent? In most cases, no.

grifftith · Apr 21, 2008

yes i already made up my mind to go the crna route now. I want to move around the country in the future this probably being the biggest factor, but thanks for the input everyone.

gasmaster · Apr 21, 2008

The concept of the totally independent CRNA is not nearly as common as they would have you believe, certainly far from a majority. CAN they be totally independent? Yes, in some cases. ARE they totally independent? In most cases, no.

Actually, I think you're facts may be a bit inaccurate. The majority of anesthesia delivered in rural areas is by CRNA's only, with little or no access to MDA's. Visit www.gaswork.com to view current CRNA openings & you will note that the amount of time (if any) that the CRNA will be supervised by an MDA will be listed.

jwk · Apr 22, 2008

Actually, I think you're facts may be a bit inaccurate. The majority of anesthesia delivered in rural areas is by CRNA's only, with little or no access to MDA's. Visit www.gaswork.com to view current CRNA openings & you will note that the amount of time (if any) that the CRNA will be supervised by an MDA will be listed.

Yes, much of rural anesthesia care is provided by CRNA's, but far and away the majority of cases are done in larger facilities where MD's are involved. Gaswork is hardly representative of the country as a whole, nor the current state of anesthesia employement nationwide - and you can't derive any meaningful statistics or conclusions from advertising.

gasmaster · Apr 22, 2008

Gaswork isn't an advertisement, but an actual recruiting website that displays factual employment information. I agree that there is not complete representation of all types of employment on the site, but I find it very interesting that the majority of positions displayed are for very independent CRNA positions. They do provide recuitment for both rural and non-rural settings. In fact, I have found positions listed on that site for some of the major trauma centers in our area (Parkland, John Peter Smith, Scott and White, etc.) so there is a pretty good mix of positions for review. The website covers the entire US and other territories as well, so it offers some pretty good comparisons of positions from state to state. Obviously it's not the only recruitment site out there, but it is very extensive. AA positins are also listed on the site, and as you may have found they are scarce in comparison to CRNA jobs by locale.

japaho41 · Apr 22, 2008

yes i already made up my mind to go the crna route now. I want to move around the country in the future this probably being the biggest factor, but thanks for the input everyone.

Good for you, I know that there is an international Nurse anesthesia society that is working credentialing programs so that there grads can work in othere countries. Basically what it comes down to at least for me and a lot of other CRNA's that I have talked to in the past is that key component that AA's are missing is the intensive care experience. If you are even in support of AA's that is hard to downplay the value of that experience.