No CRNAs in Reno area?

Tony35NYC · Aug 13, 2005

I was speaking with someone at Washoe Health who indicated there are no CRNAs working in the area, and that all anesthesia is done by MDs. Anyone want to comment on this? Seems really odd.

The fact the local hospitals there don't use CRNAs is not odd. I've heard of hospitals elsewhere that also use MDAs only, and usually its because they have staunchly anti-CRNA physicians on their boards. Even if the board of nursing gives you a license to practice as a CRNA there, this doesn't guarantee that you'll get work. Quite possibly, the MDAs in Nevada have a strong anti-CRNA consortium there, and in that case perhaps it would be easier to find employment if you applied to one of the local anesthesia groups instead of applying directly to the hospitals.

How far away are you from the California border? Sutter in Sacramento is hiring, and I believe Kaiser Permanente is always looking for people as well. You can also check out the CRNA forum to see if anyone in the state can give you more info.

LilRedRN1973 · Nov 9, 2005

There is one CRNA in this area and he's been here for years. He was trained in combat in the Army and has garnered a lot of respect from all the anesthesiologists in the area. But he is the only one. They do not condone CRNA's in this town. But there are many outlying areas that use them because they do not want to pay the exorbitant fees that the MD's charge so they use CRNA's. I think the hospital in Elko uses CRNA's quite frequently.

Melanie = )