How do you really feel about AA and would you go that route now if you could do over?

Specialties CRNA

Published

Just curious, I see all this information about AA's and now wonder how everyone in the field honestly feels about them.

Also would this be the route you would have taken had the choice been available to you at the time you went to school?

I am so curious about this route to education and not convinced but I am definately watching, as it may be a choice in my future.

CRNA is still the route I want to take- but at the same time I will be learning all I can about this specialty.

Thanks everyone!!

Specializes in CRNA.

jwk, no offense intended wih my previous statement man, I call damn near everything a gimmick

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This choice was available to me. I chose CRNA. The program I attended educated a former AA to be a CRNA, and from what I was told, that particular individual was blown away at the depth and breadth of information she was taught in CRNA school that she was not taught in AA school.

This is complete and total BS. I can categorically state with 100% certainty that no graduate of an accredited AA program has EVER gone back to be trained as a CRNA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This is complete and total BS. I can categorically state with 100% certainty that no graduate of an accredited AA program has EVER gone back to be trained as a CRNA.

First of all, don't be rude. My program director, who has been the director for 10+ years, provided me with this information. He is a well-respected member in the nurse anesthesia profession, and I have no reason to disbelieve anything he has told me. Furthermore, this particular individual was already an RN, and chose to do AA school immediately after gradution from nursing school. After completion of AA school, she worked for a while, and then went on to CRNA school for the increased work opportunities in other states. I am curious - how is it that YOU would be the expert on what other AAs do with their careers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
JWK, your are absolutely wrong about those requirements, it is a requirement that ALL CRNA programs instruct regional techniques.

Really? The last time I looked, there was no such requirement. If it's changed, I haven't seen it lately, which brings up another point.....

Explain to me why the requirements and curriculum for nurse anesthesia programs are behind a password-protected firewall on the AANA Website. What could possibly be in the teaching requirements for an anesthesia program that are top secret and hidden from the general public?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
First of all, don't be rude. My program director, who has been the director for 10+ years, provided me with this information. He is a well-respected member in the nurse anesthesia profession, and I have no reason to disbelieve anything he has told me. Furthermore, this particular individual was already an RN, and chose to do AA school immediately after gradution from nursing school. After completion of AA school, she worked for a while, and then went on to CRNA school for the increased work opportunities in other states. I am curious - how is it that YOU would be the expert on what other AAs do with their careers?

Once again - he said she said. I don't care if your program director is well respected. He/she is simply repeating something they've heard someone else say at a meeting or online. This is often the case though when CRNA's start tossing out "facts" about AA's - since they don't know one, and have never worked with one, nor do they know anyone who's worked with one, they have to rely on the stuff they're spoon fed from the AANA.

And georgia_aa has been doing this for a long time - and I've been doing it longer than that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Once again - he said she said. I don't care if your program director is well respected. He/she is simply repeating something they've heard someone else say at a meeting or online. This is often the case though when CRNA's start tossing out "facts" about AA's - since they don't know one, and have never worked with one, nor do they know anyone who's worked with one, they have to rely on the stuff they're spoon fed from the AANA.

And georgia_aa has been doing this for a long time - and I've been doing it longer than that.

My program director did not repeat anything he heard someone else say. It was his program (that he was the director of at the time) that educated this particular AA/CRNA.

I know several AAs socially. Have not worked with one. And no one spoon feeds me anything. And the length of time you and georgia_aa have been providing anesthesia has nothing to do with your knowledge of how CRNAs are educated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Really? The last time I looked, there was no such requirement. Better check your facts again.

The facts have changed, since you last looked. See the post by deepz, it explains the new requirements.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well it certainly appears there is a LOT of animosity between the two fields!!

I learned a LONG time ago to never say never. It does not sound too far-fetched about an AA becoming a CRNA to expand opportunities in other states since there is limited licensing and practice for AA's in specific states. Why would it be so important for you to prove this wrong? I have known accountants to become nurses, I even know a Nuclear Physicist (internationally acclaimed one!) become a hairdresser- he actually studied haircolor to the molecular level was great at it! So you never know, stranger things have happened.

I have been doing lots of reading on each field but still lots to go. Finals week so this research will take place sometime in the summer. I do not want to be limited to a certain number of states I can work in and I don't want to go back and have to take pre-med and such. Since I am on track to be a nurse, it just makes sense to continue on this path. I am not saying any one is better, just one is a better choice FOR ME.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Once again - he said she said. I don't care if your program director is well respected. He/she is simply repeating something they've heard someone else say at a meeting or online. This is often the case though when CRNA's start tossing out "facts" about AA's - since they don't know one, and have never worked with one, nor do they know anyone who's worked with one, they have to rely on the stuff they're spoon fed from the AANA.

And georgia_aa has been doing this for a long time - and I've been doing it longer than that.

Dude your crazy I just google searched the standards got about a zillion hits and perused the AANA website not logged in and they are as plain as day.....

Don't hate....appreciate!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The facts have changed, since you last looked. See the post by deepz, it explains the new requirements.

:yeahthat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The facts have changed, since you last looked. See the post by deepz, it explains the new requirements.

I see his post - and I'll ask again:

Why are educational standards and nurse anesthesia training program requirements kept hidden from the public behind a password-protected firewall on the AANA website?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I see his post - and I'll ask again:

Why are educational standards and nurse anesthesia training program requirements kept hidden from the public behind a password-protected firewall on the AANA website?

was just at the AA website and compared ....... it seems you can not find ANYTHING on that site without being a member, much like the ASA. However on the AANA website, I was able to freely move through several documents concerning accreditation and regional experience......

Your response?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment