Nurse Anesthesiologist Name Change

I know... a rose by any other name...

but for those who care, what's your thoughts on the name change for CRNAs to nurse anesthesiologists? Is it good for the profession or just deceptive advertisement? Thanks!

Specializes in Anesthesia.
beachbabe86 said:

My SIL was never "trained" by CRNAs .  He knew how to perform the afore mentioned skills as a med student.

I never trained MDA residents, but I've trained numerous medical students. I can say I've never found one MDA that knew the basics of anesthesia skills at the start of their training. Doing a few intubations in their medical school rotations does not count. 

Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
subee said:

Doubt that.  The brand new people don't know how to select drug doses except for textbook numbers which aren't always correct for actual humans.  Our  new residents were never safe to put in a room alone .  IF they were they would already be anesthesiologists.

Did you and other CRNA students know everything on your first day in a room alone? Doubt that.

Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
wtbcrna said:

I never trained MDA residents, but I've trained numerous medical students. I can say I've never found one MDA that knew the basics of anesthesia skills at the start of their training. Doing a few intubations in their medical school rotations does not count. 

Did you know the basics of anesthesia skills at the start of your training?  You  may have picked up some tips if you were an OR nurse as I did, but that does not count.

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Both groups are very green on day one in different ways.  Each group has strengths and weaknesses, and thats nothing to be ashamed of.  Learning something from someone of a lesser precieved social status (nurse vs doctor) is also not something to be ashamed of.

The point of this thread is explaining that the training of a CRNA adequately prepares them to call themselves anesthesia experts and nurse anesthesiologists. That is 4 years of undergrad, an average 4 years of ICU RN experience, and a 3 year CRNA program.  

Specializes in Anesthesia.
beachbabe86 said:

Did you know the basics of anesthesia skills at the start of your training?  You  may have picked up some tips if you were an OR nurse as I did, but that does not count.

Yes. SRNAs/RRNAs come in as fully trained critical care nurses. We know how to do all the basics even if we aren't proficient in some basic anesthesia skills. By basic anesthesia skills I'm referring to drawing up medications, running IV pumps, calculating meds, knowledge of basic anesthesia meds, intubating etc. 

You are trying to prove a point with zero experience or expertise as either a CRNA or MDA and showing you aren't familiar with either training programs. 

Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
jfratian said:

The point of this thread is explaining that the training of a CRNA adequately prepares them to call themselves anesthesia experts and nurse anesthesiologists. That is 4 years of undergrad, an average 4 years of ICU RN experience, and a 3 year CRNA program.  

I have a BSN that would have not prepared me for anesthesia in the least.  Fortunately, I was able to attain a position in the SICU as a new grad. My learning curve was steep, but I had great support. MDAs have a 4 year residency to prepare them for their careers.  MY SIL  is currently in a Fellowship to be an Intentsivist.

 

jfratian said:

 

 

Specializes in Anesthesia.
beachbabe86 said:

I have a BSN that would have not prepared me for anesthesia in the least.  Fortunately, I was able to attain a position in the SICU as a new grad. My learning curve was steep, but I had great support. MDAs have a 4 year residency to prepare them for their careers.  MY SIL  is currently in a Fellowship to be an Intentsivist.

 

MDAs do 1 year internship in basically anything they want/get accepted into and 3 years anesthesia residency. 
That BSN gives nurses the basics of pharmacology, A&P, chemistry and lays the ground work for working in critical care. You wouldn't have been able to function at all in critical care without all those classes and training in your BSN. 
 

Whatever beef you have with CRNAs this isn't the place to display it. Your SIL and children being physicians does not qualify you as an expert in anesthesia training for MDAs or CRNAs. 

 

Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
wtbcrna said:

Whatever beef you have with CRNAs this isn't the place to display it. Your SIL and children being physicians does not qualify you as an expert in anesthesia training for MDAs or CRNAs. 

Two things:  I worked for the BON in my state and saw the worst of the worst being called before the Board.  When I questioned them about the effect of drug diversion and massive instrument theft, there was no remorse.

Secondly, I was in the military and saw some very questionable practices of anesthesia by CRNAs.

I realize this is anecdotal and opinion only, however, it is my experience with CRNAs.  I also realize these examples happen in every medical career field. 

Specializes in Anesthesia.
beachbabe86 said:

Two things:  I worked for the BON in my state and saw the worst of the worst being called before the Board.  When I questioned them about the effect of drug diversion and massive instrument theft, there was no remorse.

Secondly, I was in the military and saw some very questionable practices of anesthesia by CRNAs.

I realize this is anecdotal and opinion only, however, it is my experience with CRNAs.  I also realize these examples happen in every medical career field. 

1. Again your limited experience does not make you an expert on anesthesia.

2. I'm a retired USAF CRNA with over 15 years of anesthesia experience. I have taught clinical rotations for four different universities ( two military and two civilian). I have worked in and provided anesthesia in four different countries, and numerous states/hospitals . I had eight duty stations, two deployments (the last as surgery commander in Afghanistan), and numerous TDYs over 20 years. I have taught OMFS residents. I have taught numerous medical students. I did my initial residency training at the President's hospital (Walter Reed). 
Every fault you have seen or perceived with CRNAs has happened with MDAs, and in many cases is worse in our MDA colleagues. 
 

 

Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

This discussion is 100% why every board of nursing needs a CRNA on it.

Specializes in Anesthesia.
jfratian said:

This discussion is 100% why every board of nursing needs a CRNA on it.

There shouldn't be any non-CRNA making decisions for CRNAs on BONs. I know it routinely happens, but nurses rarely have any idea about CRNA practices and/or education. 
Any nurse that has never worked outside of ACT practices shouldn't even be allowed to have any dealings with CRNAs on BONs IMO. 

Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
jfratian said:

This discussion is 100% why every board of nursing needs a CRNA on it.

The Chairperson of our BON was a CRNA and the head of a prestigious CRNA school and an absolutely lovely man.  He sadly passed away far too soon.

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