Is the AA profession gaining ground?

heartrn35 · Dec 2, 2007

CRNA schools require ICU experience. First, I don't think ICU experience determines your success as an anesthetist. There are many AAs who have never worked at critical care setting, but they are great anesthetist. They know what they're doing. As one of the members said in this post, "You get proficient at anesthesia by practicing anesthesia rather than critical care."
In my case, I would be willing to work in ICU's but not as a nurse. That's why I'm choosing the AA route.
Second, I prefer the medical model. I've been in nursing school, and the teaching did not include much science. They emphasized practical skills and critical thinking...but not so much about science. I tend to be scientific minded. I think with the medical model, not only you'll learn the clinical skills, but there is more science involved.

I'd respond to this but there has been too much bloodshed over this particular thread and...you just aint worth it!

Lissyann · Dec 3, 2007

I think the deciding factor for me is simply that, as a CRNA student, I would have a wider selection of educational and employment oppurtunities from which to choose from. There is a CRNA school not more than 3 miles from where I presently live.

At least for my immediate future anyway, I think it is more advantageous for me to go the CRNA route.

hpadua · Dec 3, 2007

I'd respond to this but there has been too much bloodshed over this particular thread and...you just aint worth it!

Wow, I wonder what made you upset. If you're just going to be arrogant and dismissive, then I guess you ain't worth it either. Have a nice life!

heartrn35 · Dec 3, 2007

Wow, I wonder what made you upset. If you're just going to be arrogant and dismissive, then I guess you ain't worth it either. Have a nice life!

Your right I am being arrogant and dismissive. 1) If you have read this whole thread even you must see there is a LOT of animosity r/t CRNA vs. AA. 2) As a nurse I would expect you to see the strength of an ICU experienced nurse over a non-clinically experienced AA. But obviously you don't think very highly of nurses since you as one would choose to go the non-nurse route. I'm not sure what you do in nursing but myself I think in a very scientific manner when I'm taking care of sick hearts. I may not sit down with a book and paper and graph out what the effects I'm looking for from the drugs I have avalible, but I do analize in my mind what needs to be changed and the best way to get that done. Last time I checked that was the scientific process in motion. 3) Nursing school may have had too much BS in there courses, but I would expect you to atleast support your fellow nurses in theory. If you did not like your education, maybe you should have put more into it, but don't be one of those nurses who pokes holes in nursing and then wonders why the profession isn't strong. The point being is I HATE nurses dragging their own profession down. And you come on a thread where non-nurses are pulling at the seams of the profession and you agree with them.....have a little respect for the profession that you entered of your own free will.Most of the nurses that I here tearing the profession down are either; 1) not aware of the message that they are sending (others hear them saying), 2) or they just really don't care about the profession. Heres to hoping that your a 1, not a 2.

hpadua · Dec 3, 2007

2) As a nurse I would expect you to see the strength of an ICU experienced nurse over a non-clinically experienced AA. But obviously you don't think very highly of nurses since you as one would choose to go the non-nurse route.

You quickly jumped into conclusions. Just because I'm choosing a non-nursing route, it doesn't mean I look down on nurses. I am a nurse, for god's sake!!! Have you ever thought that I might have other reasons for choosing the AA route??? Yes, ICU experience is very helpful, but I don't think it's necessary (unless you're planning to practice independently....because if a patient codes....YOU are the one who will do everything...no MDA's to rely on)

I'm not sure what you do in nursing but myself I think in a very scientific manner when I'm taking care of sick hearts. I may not sit down with a book and paper and graph out what the effects I'm looking for from the drugs I have avalible, but I do analize in my mind what needs to be changed and the best way to get that done. Last time I checked that was the scientific process in motion.

Okay, so you incorporate a lot of science in your job. Good for you. I don't....that's why I'm looking for a job that involves a lot science...hence, my wanting to be an anesthetist.

3) The point being is I HATE nurses dragging their own profession down. And you come on a thread where non-nurses are pulling at the seams of the profession and you agree with them.....have a little respect for the profession that you entered of your own free will.

I still don't understand why and how you came to conclusion that I'm dragging nurses down.

Alpha13 · Dec 10, 2007

You made a big mistake careerwise HD

jwk · Dec 11, 2007

You made a big mistake careerwise HD

No, he just didn't make the choice you think he should make.

mammothsnw · Dec 11, 2007

I don't know why this issue causes so many visceral reactions from people. If people choosing the AA route are content to work in the 4 or 5 states where they can be licensed then let them be fruitful and multiply in OH, GA, FL, ect..

Nursing is a second career for me and I chose the accel BSN to CRNA route even though I was well aware of the shorter AA path. To me, having the option to work in ANY was well worth the extra 2 years it tagged on to my timeline for reaching my goal of becoming an anesthetist. In CA where I currently work as a CRNA....most people (MDA's and CRNA's) are not even aware of the AA profession so I don't consider it a threat at all. Maybe the landscape is much different in the midwest/eastcoast. Even if that is so, it seems the demand for anesthesia services in the states where AA's can work is high enough that there is enough pie for everyone to go around.

I've been hearing from friends on the east coast that AA's are "expanding out west" for several years now. As long as the rate of expansion remains constant, I will hopefully be retired and hitting the slopes daily by the time the threat is real. In any matter, several years from now the demand for anesthesia providers will far outweigh the supply. I am glad I chose the path that I did. For others who know they will never leave the state where they can work ..cheers to them...

stonecrna · Dec 12, 2007

For others who know they will never leave the state where they can work ..cheers to them...

Just to add: there are many high paying CRNA only groups and solo CRNA jobs out there for the taking (300K+). Just another option for the CRNA but not for the AA. Most AAs will say they have no desire to work without an anesthesiologist present, and/or the patient deserves to have an anesthesiologist present, but I think they are just jealous.

amorecondannato · Feb 8, 2008

Well, I'm currently an aide, and in school for medical technology. I fully intend when I graduate to get a master's from South University and (I hope!) work at Memorial...I had NO idea there was this much animosity dealing with AA's. I guess I'm used to being bullied, I am after all only an aide, but still...sheesh. We're all in the medical profession dealing with human LIVES. From the chief medical grand poohbah doctor to the housekeepers making sure germs aren't running amuck and rampant...we all have our place and our job to do. I always thought that everyone would come and work together for the betterment of our patients (...I was wishfully thinking ) before I realized our cut-throat, back-stabbing, and clique-y things are at my current hospital. I always assumed it was just because I was an aide, and a student. Now I realize that this hurtful and detrimental mentality goes all the way up to advance practice nurses, doctors, and master's prepared AA's/PA's. :down: For shame! I guess being an aide at least prepares me for the smite I'm obviously gonna get when I do graduate South =/...

I do have a question though, did the AA's/CRNA's here have a chance to work while in school? I'm just curious.

FlGasman · Feb 8, 2008

Well, I'm currently an aide, and in school for medical technology. I fully intend when I graduate to get a master's from South University and (I hope!) work at Memorial...I had NO idea there was this much animosity dealing with AA's. I guess I'm used to being bullied, I am after all only an aide, but still...sheesh. We're all in the medical profession dealing with human LIVES. From the chief medical grand poohbah doctor to the housekeepers making sure germs aren't running amuck and rampant...we all have our place and our job to do. I always thought that everyone would come and work together for the betterment of our patients (...I was wishfully thinking ) before I realized our cut-throat, back-stabbing, and clique-y things are at my current hospital. I always assumed it was just because I was an aide, and a student. Now I realize that this hurtful and detrimental mentality goes all the way up to advance practice nurses, doctors, and master's prepared AA's/PA's. For shame! I guess being an aide at least prepares me for the smite I'm obviously gonna get when I do graduate South =/...
I do have a question though, did the AA's/CRNA's here have a chance to work while in school? I'm just curious.

Well to answer your question, its a bit more complicated than just saying we all have our places. The whole argument is some people(CRNAs) say other people(AAs) dont have their place and are only there because still other people (MDAs) didnt like how much some people (CRNAs) were making so they created a new profession (AAs). And obviously some people (AAs) refute that claim entirely.

I am in school now and cannot work.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Feb 9, 2008

Wow, this thread is getting out of hand.

There are going to be so much work out there in the coming years. The baby boomers are getting older. The Democrats are about to get into office, therefore a national healthcare program will come into play: so everyone is gonna want "free" surgery. Man o man, are we gonna be busy!

The MDAs will do great because they can bill for AA. The AA can do the easy lap choles. (times, what up to 4 rooms?).

The CRNAs will be happy because they will have a ton of interesting work. We can do more serious, critical cases.

PLENTY OF WORK, you guys.

I do have one questions. In real life, are MDAs in the room with AA? or are they on their own (with little medical background?) I don't/haven't worked with AAs so I really don't know this answer. (California CRNA)