Is the AA profession gaining ground?

Nitecap · Apr 3, 2006

Another thread peaked my interest on this issue. How fast is the AA profession gaining ground? I thought they were able to practice in only 2 or 3 states last year, but now it sounds like they are able to practice in 16? Will they be able to practice in even more states soon? Comments appreciated

No they were able to practice in a bit more than that. As least 12 or so. Gaining ground yes they are if you mean by increasing their numbers. We as well are increasing or numbers way more than they. Its all about supply, demand and politics, that is why its essential to get involved in these issues.

Gods child · Apr 3, 2006

I'm always concerned when I read AA websites that say they will soon be the primary anesthesia care provider in the U.S. How will this be possible with CRNA's around? I don't have anything against AA's, but it seems like many of the websites imply that CRNA's are going to magically disappear.

Nitecap · Apr 3, 2006

I'm always concerned when I read AA websites that say they will soon be the primary anesthesia care provider in the U.S. How will this be possible with CRNA's around? I don't have anything against AA's, but it seems like many of the websites imply that CRNA's are going to magically disappear.

The issue here is how soon is soon. According to the passage at the top of this forum there are 32,000 CRNA, my data from 2005 is 29,500 so we are around 30,000. As well we are putting out about 2,000 new grads a year. As far as the AA profession with a handful of programs and actual practicing AA's it wil take them a while to build up numbers to even come close to closing the gap. This is why we must become involved and advocate that we are the superior providers and are more versatile being we can work without Anesthesiology supervision enabling us to fill the rural shortage that exists today.

georgia_aa · Apr 3, 2006

The issue here is how soon is soon. According to the passage at the top of this forum there are 32,000 CRNA, my data from 2005 is 29,500 so we are around 30,000. As well we are putting out about 2,000 new grads a year. As far as the AA profession with a handful of programs and actual practicing AA's it wil take them a while to build up numbers to even come close to closing the gap. This is why we must become involved and advocate that we are the superior providers and are more versatile being we can work without Anesthesiology supervision enabling us to fill the rural shortage that exists today.

We are not trying to close the gap. We don't want to take over the world. How many times and how many different ways do you need me to say it. While the AANA has as a major agenda the abolition of AAs nationwide, the AAAA is not interested in putting a single CRNA out of work. There in a nutshell is the difference. You want me out of the OR and unable to provide for my family. I simply want the right to work in my chosen profession anywhere I want. I don't want to put a single CRNA out of work, but I should be able to compete with you for ACT practice positions. Yes, you can fill a need in the rural areas. I will NEVER compete with you for those jobs. ACT practices, on the other hand can and should hire either practitioner interchangably with supply and demand being the major driving force in the decision.

A couple of facts meant to enlighten not inflame. Four years ago there were two AA programs - the same two that had been in existence for 30 years. Now there are five programs, each of which will graduate approx 30 AAs per year. There are several others in the works at major institutions that will train similar numbers.

Gods child · Apr 3, 2006

http://www.anesthetistassistant.com/HOMEx.html

http://www.anesthesiaassistant.com/index.html

- a couple sites that made me wonder...

I'm just making an observation; I really don't mean to come across as hostile towards AA's.

jwk · Apr 3, 2006

http://www.anesthetistassistant.com/HOMEx.html
http://www.anesthesiaassistant.com/index.html
- a couple sites that made me wonder...
I'm just making an observation; I really don't mean to come across as hostile towards AA's.

Please understand something about these two websites. These are commercial websites that have no affiliation whatsoever and is not endorsed by the AAAA or any AA program (there's about five with similar sounding names, and all of the domain names are owned by the same person, who is not an AA).

The official website for the AAAA is www.anesthetist.org .

Gods child · Apr 3, 2006

Please understand something about these two websites. These are commercial websites that have no affiliation whatsoever and is not endorsed by the AAAA or any AA program (there's about five with similar sounding names, and all of the domain names are owned by the same person, who is not an AA).
The official website for the AAAA is www.anesthetist.org .

I understand. I just thought they were interesting, in no way was I trying to pass those sites off as if they were officially endorsed by the AAAA. But thanks for posting the official site to avoid any confusion or misleading info.

I posted those sites as support for a comment I made earlier. Those were just a few of the sites where I read comments that made statements about AA's as if CRNA's were no longer going to be in existence, or were slowly fading away (at least that's how I perceived them). I understand that not all AA's take that stance, just as I understand not all CRNA's have a negative view of AA's. I can't deny the animosity between the two professions, but as a CRNA hopeful, I'm just trying to learn all I can.

deepz · Apr 3, 2006

.......Four years ago there were two AA programs - the same two that had been in existence for 30 years. Now there are five......

....Yawn....

.

rn29306 · Apr 3, 2006

We are not trying to close the gap. We are not in competition with you. How many times and how many different ways do you need me to say it. While the AANA has as a major agenda the abolition of AAs nationwide, the AAAA is not interested in putting a single CRNA out of work. There in a nutshell is the difference. You want me out of the OR and unable to provide for my family. I simply want the right to work in my chosen profession anywhere I want. I don't want to put a single CRNA out of work, but I should be able to compete with you for ACT practice positions. Yes, you can fill a need in the rural areas. I will NEVER compete with you for those jobs. ACT practices, on the other hand can and should hire either practitioner interchangably with supply and demand being the major driving force in the decision.

It is about control and supervision laws, plain and simple. Look at the fiasco in North Carolina. An AA arguement turned into one of supervision for CRNAs.

Politics is dirty.

MmacFN · Apr 3, 2006

Georgia_AA

I like you alot. All of your posts are well written and thoughtful. Nitecap, jwk and I are all the "fire from the hip" types but you are not.

In anycase, I dont think jwk or you represent AAs in any way other than a good light. Im not a CRNA, but i stayed at a holiday inn last night. From my reading on the AA site it seems clear your association spends a good portion of its webspace comparing CRNA vs AA which suggest they advocate a more aggressive stance than you do. Thats probably why you might get some automatic assumptions about AAs from CRNA students, new CRNAs and potential CRNAs (me).

You, however, seem like a great guy (or girl) to represent the profession. Thnaks for posting.

We are not trying to close the gap. We are not in competition with you. How many times and how many different ways do you need me to say it. While the AANA has as a major agenda the abolition of AAs nationwide, the AAAA is not interested in putting a single CRNA out of work. There in a nutshell is the difference. You want me out of the OR and unable to provide for my family. I simply want the right to work in my chosen profession anywhere I want. I don't want to put a single CRNA out of work, but I should be able to compete with you for ACT practice positions. Yes, you can fill a need in the rural areas. I will NEVER compete with you for those jobs. ACT practices, on the other hand can and should hire either practitioner interchangably with supply and demand being the major driving force in the decision.
A couple of facts meant to enlighten not inflame. Four years ago there were two AA programs - the same two that had been in existence for 30 years. Now there are five programs, each of which will graduate approx 30 AAs per year. There are several others in the works at major institutions that will train similar numbers.

Nitecap · Apr 3, 2006

Georgia_AA
I like you alot. All of your posts are well written and thoughtful. Nitecap, jwk and I are all the "fire from the hip" types but you are not.
In anycase, I dont think jwk or you represent AAs in any way other than a good light. Im not a CRNA, but i stayed at a holiday inn last night. From my reading on the AA site it seems clear your association spends a good portion of its webspace comparing CRNA vs AA which suggest they advocate a more aggressive stance than you do. Thats probably why you might get some automatic assumptions about AAs from CRNA students, new CRNAs and potential CRNAs (me).
You, however, seem like a great guy (or girl) to represent the profession. Thnaks for posting.

I agree about their site comparing AA to CRNA's. Seems like recently they may have reduced the amount of comparisons. Just about a month ago it was all over the site though, even on the homepage. Just seems like that is what you guys promote we are just as good a CRNA's instead of really promoting what you do or how you can help provider shortages or any real data proving your claim to safety, equality or effectiveness. In other words your website really doesnt promote what you guys preach here on these forums.

Nice post Mike. I tend to be a gun slinger no diggity no doubt.