difference between Nurse Anesthetist and anesthesiologist

athomas91 · May 15, 2005

this thread has been....let's say interesting...:)

i just wanted to add this point (opinion) about salary

of course compensation is a contributing factor - but take into account (ramiro) - my CRNA training will cost me over 85k - so not all programs are less expensive - and we don't get paid the residency (even though a pittiance it is something)

i went to the ER the other nite with my husband who was in an MVC - i am a ER/Trauma nurse - and it just happens they took him to one of my old haunts...

i wasn't there for a 1/2 hour before patients started pissing me off with their stupid complaints and rude behavior - so i can VERY HONESTLY say that i would definately do anesthesia for what i made as a nurse (which by the way wasn't bad- but not nearly what i will make)

it isn't all about the money - it is about sanity and passion as well. :)

have a good one.

mwbeah · May 21, 2005

I personally believe that every time a post like this appears, it should be erased. I have been a culprit at times of feeding these posts, but after reflecting on this topic these posts do not serve in the best interests of our practice. They only provide a medium for the conflict to grow.

The bottom line is this, CRNAs, MDAs, and AAs are here to stay. The patient load continues to increase as technology evolves. The rate of increase of anesthesia providers of any kind (depending on the year) is greatly insufficient to meet the need. Being confrontational between groups hinders every practice setting and our patients suffer. We win our fights by what we do, we prove everyday that we are safe providers and let our deeds speak for themselves.

We have to focus our energy not in fueling this fire in these message board settings. We have to turn our energy into how can we DEFEND OUR PRACTICE. The time and place for that is not here, the misinformation that is spewed clouds the issue. Many people are posting without actually having first hand knowledge or "some" knowledge and that can be dangerous.

Our battles are being fought by our respective organizations. They deserve our energy and support, don't waste it here.

Have a great day,

Mike

deepz · May 21, 2005

mwbeah said:
I personally believe that every time a post like this appears, it should be erased. I have been a culprit at times of feeding these posts, but after reflecting on this topic these posts do not serve in the best interests of our practice. They only provide a medium for the conflict to grow. .....
....Our battles are being fought by our respective organizations. They deserve our energy and support, don't waste it here......

Beg to differ here. We CANNOT leave it to the AANA to fight all our battles for us. Whenever the hearts and minds of newbies and wannabees are being fed lies and misleading A$A bulls**t it is incumbent on those of us in the know to call their bluff. CRNAs are every bit as safe and far more cost-effective than MDAs; that's the main fact the A$A wants to bury. Keep on telling the truth, CRNAs; the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

As I posted previously on this thread:

........."In short, CRNAs legally practice independently (of any MDA) in all States. All 50 of them. And, thanks to Uncle Sam, in quite a few foreign countries. Not to mention at sea."

deepz

mwbeah · May 22, 2005

deepz said:
Beg to differ here. We CANNOT leave it to the AANA to fight all our battles for us. Whenever the hearts and minds of newbies and wannabees are being fed lies and misleading A$A bulls**t it is incumbent on those of us in the know to call their bluff. CRNAs are every bit as safe and far more cost-effective than MDAs; that's the main fact the A$A wants to bury. Keep on telling the truth, CRNAs; the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
As I posted previously on this thread:
........."In short, CRNAs legally practice independently (of any MDA) in all States. All 50 of them. And, thanks to Uncle Sam, in quite a few foreign countries. Not to mention at sea."
deepz

I am one of those "Uncle Sam" providers who has been behind the screen when the 22 year old soldier comes to the Army OR with his limbs blown off, or an RPG doesn't explode and rips through him..... My energy and focus is best spent making myself the best provider for him that I can be. When your in the Combat Zone your practice doesn't get anymore autonomous.

I find replying to misinformation is appropriate in certain instances, but with some of these postings it is very apparent that people (non anesthesia providers) attempt to stir the pot. I personally am not going to waste my time and acknowledge them with a response. I consider myself a great ambassador for the practice and every opportunity I have in the OR I am promoting the practice. This forum is what it is, feel free to share your views, I am offering mine.

Mike

Sheri257 · May 22, 2005

deepz said:
Beg to differ here. We CANNOT leave it to the AANA to fight all our battles for us. Whenever the hearts and minds of newbies and wannabees are being fed lies and misleading A$A bulls**t it is incumbent on those of us in the know to call their bluff. CRNAs are every bit as safe and far more cost-effective than MDAs; that's the main fact the A$A wants to bury. Keep on telling the truth, CRNAs; the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
As I posted previously on this thread:
........."In short, CRNAs legally practice independently (of any MDA) in all States. All 50 of them. And, thanks to Uncle Sam, in quite a few foreign countries. Not to mention at sea."
deepz

You have a point here. It's not just newbies or wannabees who don't know this information. I'm constantly surprized by the number of people who work in hospitals who either don't know what a CRNA is (usually in MDA dominated facilities) or, they think CRNA's are unsafe or, they think CRNA's have to be supervised by an MDA. From what I can tell, the only people who know the correct information are those who personally know or have worked with CRNAs.

If a lot of people who work in hospitals don't know these basic facts you can bet the general public is clueless. IMHO, message boards aren't enough. The AANA should probably consider a broad public information campaign that goes far beyond what's been done in the past.

:coollook:

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · May 22, 2005

I mentioned to a surgical resident that I was going to CRNA school. She said "That's a GREAT job, if anything goes wrong you just call the attending!"

caliber · May 25, 2005

sonessrna said:
Well, if the docs aren[t in it for the money why do I see posts on SDN that ask questions referring to how much money can be made in gas, which residencies are the easiest with the most money, how gas is better paid than some other specialties? In addition, I frequently hear physicians talking about their houses,cars, etc...sometimes CRNAs as well...but the comment ab out
$300,000 just solidivfied my opinions that many MDAs are in it for the money.

I think its riduculous to judge all "doctors" are in it just for the money. Sure doctors make alot of money, and if some become doctors just to be financially stable is that so wrong? Isn't that what we "all" are trying to acheive in life? To say most doctors hate there jobs and have no compassion for there patients is just plain stupid. I guess you're going to say athlethes,movie stars,etc.. are just in it for the money and are "evil" people also? Give me a break :rotfl:

kmm215 · Jun 14, 2007

jewelcutt said:
Blah, Blah, Blah, heard it all before, the truth of the matter is that all CRNAs and SRNAs were excellent nurses that worked extremely hard, period. I know this because they wouldn't have gotten in to school if they hadn't worked hard.

To play devil's advocate (since this is CRNA vs MDA-ish), wouldn't all doctors, troopers, navy seals, etc be excellent at their chosen profession since these too are also hard to get into the respective school?

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 15, 2007

HopeToBeANurseSoon said:
is a anesthesiologist the same as a nurse anesthetist? Just wondering although I am not yet even a pre-nursing student because in my life I have had four surgeries and may, in the near future, behaving another.

Why is anyone responding to this? Isn't this a forum for CRNA's or at least for people who have read the stickies?

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 15, 2007

Posted prior to PreCRNA forum start...moving there.

maxsquared · Jun 25, 2007

The worst part about being a CRNA: not having the education of an anesthesiologist. Some physicians are clueless to how little education the CRNA's have. Expectations can be high with regards to the knowledge base. This is why CRNA's need to get the most out of their program in the 2 1/2 years given and push on with continuing education. Although, 2 1/2 years is really not enough didactic education, most CRNA's have years of technical experience as RN's and this comes into play in a big way to support the technical aspects of the role. Thought of along these lines, 2 1/2 years is probably enough time to learn to be an anesthesiologist's scut monkey, working for scut monkey pay. Yes, it all makes sense now.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jun 26, 2007

maxsquared said:
The worst part about being a CRNA: not having the education of an anesthesiologist. Some physicians are clueless to how little education the CRNA's have. Expectations can be high with regards to the knowledge base. This is why CRNA's need to get the most out of their program in the 2 1/2 years given and push on with continuing education. Although, 2 1/2 years is really not enough didactic education, most CRNA's have years of technical experience as RN's and this comes into play in a big way to support the technical aspects of the role. Thought of along these lines, 2 1/2 years is probably enough time to learn to be an anesthesiologist's scut monkey, working for scut monkey pay. Yes, it all makes sense now.

Bitter, bitter, bitter...try to grow up. Your life and the lives of those around you will be more fulfilling if you can approximate emotional adulthood.