Patient's take on CRNA vs A/MD

ali_gator · Sep 5, 2005

I had surgery a little over a year ago, and a CRNA did my anesthesia. She graduated from UCLA, and was very knowledgable and professional. I had never gone under before, and I came out fine. I would definately use a CRNA again.

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Well, now I'm woundering how much of an "issues" are you dealing with, and do docs steal from you, just because of their titles?
P.S. I forgot to ask with an educatoin like mine (no BSN/MSN) what's the best way to go about it? I'm in NYC. Any suggestion/advice on schoos in
Tri-State area?

You recently posted something in the FNP forum:

"I'm going qrazy trying to decide wether to continue with med school or just go for NP. I'm a guy, in my mid 30- ish, been an RN for almost 15 yrs with lots of clinical and general paper pushing exp. I'm also a licensed acupuncturist, and had been in private practice, before I quit it all, and went down to an off-shore med school. I'm done with 2 semesters, but it's really getting to me. Sure there are some folks even in their 50s, but I'm kind of starting to think that this mid-life thing got to me a bit to early . All I wanted is some independence, and to be able to do primary care. I've got to also say that I've been hung up on M.D status, and not happy being reminded sometimes that I am a male-nurse, more than I'd like to admit. It's just many of my quite happy patients were saying things like "why didn't you go all the way?",or "too bad you're not a doc, I would've chosen you instead of a crip I go to" and so on... I don't want to go into way too many details, but I really wanted to hear from some of you outthere in the know. Basically, are you happy? Do you ever regret not doing a med or D.O school?"

I hope you are strongly considering CRNA because you can appreciate the unique role of the nurse anesthetist, history, and future of the profession, etc. Becoming a CRNA is not a shortcut to have gone to medical school and become an MD, and CRNA's don't pretend to be physicians. It is a profession where baccalaureate-prepared critical care RN's attain a master's degree. CRNA's fully utilize the nursing process, consisting of: assessment, diagnoses, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Many of your questions can be answered by checking out the FAQ on this BB. The questions regarding New York area schools can be found by visiting the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists site: http://www.aana.com :)

Papadoc · Sep 5, 2005

I had surgery a little over a year ago, and a CRNA did my anesthesia. She graduated from UCLA, and was very knowledgable and professional. I had never gone under before, and I came out fine. I would definately use a CRNA again.

Hey Ali_ Gator, it's always good to here from those who actualy have used services, and can tell their first hand exp. Of course, I wish you to stay healthy, and never use those services again .No matter how bad for CRNA, or A/MD business it may be. Did you have any reservations about nurse vs doctor performing the anasthesia?I don't doubt CRNAs professionalism for a moment. I'm just trying to rebutle some of the general public's stereotypes outthere. I am actualy strongly considering it as a career option. Anyway, I'm glad everything worked out for you fine.

Good Luck

See you later

Papadoc · Sep 5, 2005

You recently posted something in the FNP forum:
"I'm going qrazy trying to decide wether to continue with med school or just go for NP. I'm a guy, in my mid 30- ish, been an RN for almost 15 yrs with lots of clinical and general paper pushing exp. I'm also a licensed acupuncturist, and had been in private practice, before I quit it all, and went down to an off-shore med school. I'm done with 2 semesters, but it's really getting to me. Sure there are some folks even in their 50s, but I'm kind of starting to think that this mid-life thing got to me a bit to early . All I wanted is some independence, and to be able to do primary care. I've got to also say that I've been hung up on M.D status, and not happy being reminded sometimes that I am a male-nurse, more than I'd like to admit. It's just many of my quite happy patients were saying things like "why didn't you go all the way?",or "too bad you're not a doc, I would've chosen you instead of a crip I go to" and so on... I don't want to go into way too many details, but I really wanted to hear from some of you outthere in the know. Basically, are you happy? Do you ever regret not doing a med or D.O school?"
I hope you are strongly considering CRNA because you can appreciate the unique role of the nurse anesthetist, history, and future of the profession, etc. Becoming a CRNA is not a shortcut to have gone to medical school and become an MD, and CRNA's don't pretend to be physicians. It is a profession where baccalaureate-prepared critical care RN's attain a master's degree. CRNA's fully utilize the nursing process, consisting of: assessment, diagnoses, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Many of your questions can be answered by checking out the FAQ on this BB. The questions regarding New York area schools can be found by visiting the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists site: http://www.aana.com :)

Hey Ether!

Thanks for your repply. I'm certainly aware that neither NP nor CRNA are not a substitute for a medical school.But I've noticed that many, many advanced practice nurses have entertained the idea of being a doc some time throughout their careers.As you can see from my qoute up there that I'm still struggling with that.You're absolutely right, and if it wasn't an issue for me still, I just wouldn't be bringing it up again, and again.Of course, idealy...being a doc is what I want.But medical school is no longer just a hypothetical exp for me.I've done it for almost a year.Perhaps my biggest mistake of all was not even trying to get an acceptance to US MD/DO schools. I went for a well-known, but nontheless FOREIGN med school in the Caribbean,which could seriously hinder my chances of matching to the specialty residency of my choice.Being away from my family had seriously erroded my enthusiasm for a whole process. I realized my limitations i'e time,financial commitement, and most importantly issues wit my personal health. Contrary with popular beliefs med school has nothing to do with being "bright", or "intelectual" for the most part. But it sure has lot to do with one's ability to sit on the rear end, and just read/write/listen/watch away marathon hours of massive amounts of very detailed-oriented basic science material. Learning,at least in that part of the program till taking USMLE step1,is just that....mostly pure short-term memorization. It's quite doable, as I discovered, but a little too late. My family responsibilities are definitely a priority for me. Taking myself out of the family picture for the next 8-10 yrs :uhoh21: is quite irresponsible. I know ppl in their 30s, 40s ,and even 50s atart med school from scratch, but they are either financially well off, or come from some other walks of life, where they absolutely hate what they've been doing, and medicine is the "only star" they see as shining. I on the other hand obviously went to med school for a wrong reason(s). I didn't care so much about being a doctor,than about being called one :rotfl: I realized it was an EGO thing, and got off that High Horse real quick. But independence is what I'm realy after. Patients seem to love me no matter in what capacity I serve them. When I love what I do, I don't even remember looking at the clock at all. So had I known about CRNA, or paid any attention to what they do, I would've saved myself so much $$$ and trouble, by not even starting a med school journey. It's a good thing, but waytoo inpractical for me at this point in my life.

I'm very sorry about such a long post, but that's where I stand now.

Thanks

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 6, 2005

Hello, papadoc,

I see you are signing student CRNA (hopeful) in som of the forums. Have you definietly decided on CRNA and not NP?

If so, I am glad you have decided. That makes you crazy to be in that indecision mode. I know it did me.

Good luck ..... you should do well. :balloons:

Papadoc · Sep 6, 2005

Hi Siri!

From what I learn about CRNAs it seems more like a clinical specialty I wanted to go for. Even as an MD I was going to shoot for Anesthesiology/pain management,or PM&R (if I was less lucky :uhoh3: ).I'm also trained in Acupuncture, but not only TCM model.My training involves many Western twists in modern acu such as TrP (Trigger Points) release "dry needling" based on work of Dr. Travell, and many Osteopathitic-like concepts from French-Vietnamese meridian acupuncture.If there is a place in CRNA scope of practice for pain management, it would seem like a better fit for me than just being an NP/GP. I'm still learning about what CRNAs do (and don't do), and hopefully there is more to it than just "passing a gas" :chuckle At least if I was accepted to CRNA program, and stayed the course I'd be practicing in the realm of anesthesiology, but with med school...it's a gamble, esp being an FMG. We'll see. I'll take a shot at that. I have to find my classmate from my Acu school, and see what she does with both, because acupuncture is one skill that I don't want to loose no matter in what other profession I practice. If any CRNAs outthere, who are also L.Ac, would care to share their exp on utilizing both in their practice, I'd realy appreciate it.

Thanks again.

OTE=siri]Hello, papadoc,

I see you are signing student CRNA (hopeful) in som of the forums. Have you definietly decided on CRNA and not NP?

If so, I am glad you have decided. That makes you crazy to be in that indecision mode. I know it did me.

Good luck ..... you should do well. :balloons:

FutrCRNA · Sep 6, 2005

Just thought I'd add my thoughts :twocents: to this post since I see some similarities in us. I'm also in my 30's, and was accepted into a top Caribe med school. I chose not to go because I was in nursing school at time and decided I really loved nursing. But my plan was always to end up as a "gas passer" :imbar

I have a friend who is an MDA and he's always encouraged me to go the CRNA route - he says med school is just not worth the hassle. I also know several CRNAs and all of them say it's the best career ever! I just started my nurse anesthesia program (28 months and counting...) and, while it is doable, there are days when I wonder what I've gotten myself into. (full panic mode sequence initiating in 5...4...3... :sofahider)

If you really want to do the CRNA thing, I encourage you to get your ICU experience (most programs expect a full year, but prefer two) and to do a little research into the programs out there as some are MSN programs and some are MS in nurse anesthesia programs. The above post referring you to the AANA website is great!

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Sep 6, 2005

I just started my nurse anesthesia program (28 months and counting...) and, while it is doable, there are days when I wonder what I've gotten myself into. (full panic mode sequence initiating in 5...4...3... :sofahider)!

Hey, what are you doing behind my couch? Amd how did you get into my head, anyway?

I notice I've been exercising a lot lately - when I'm moving I can't think about all those syllabi and the many exams and presentations. All on a subject I know NOTHING about, since school's just started and we haven't really gotten into anesthesia besides history of the profession, etc.

We can do this!

Papadoc · Sep 6, 2005

Just thought I'd add my thoughts to this post since I see some similarities in us. I'm also in my 30's, and was accepted into a top Caribe med school. I chose not to go because I was in nursing school at time and decided I really loved nursing. But my plan was always to end up as a "gas passer" :imbar
I have a friend who is an MDA and he's always encouraged me to go the CRNA route - he says med school is just not worth the hassle. I also know several CRNAs and all of them say it's the best career ever! I just started my nurse anesthesia program (28 months and counting...) and, while it is doable, there are days when I wonder what I've gotten myself into. (full panic mode sequence initiating in 5...4...3... :sofahider)
If you really want to do the CRNA thing, I encourage you to get your ICU experience (most programs expect a full year, but prefer two) and to do a little research into the programs out there as some are MSN programs and some are MS in nurse anesthesia programs. The above post referring you to the AANA website is great!

Hey FutrCRNA!

Ah, smart move

I bet you folks at SGU, ROSS ,AUC or SABA (top 4) came up about 15 Gs short :chuckle .I wasn't so lucky. But in the end I must say that they "whipped" into knowing my stuff. I've never studied in my entire life as had for those 8 months. I'm sure that things like biochem,med genetics, histo/embryo,gross anatomy,neuro anatomy, path, physio,micro etc will come handy if I'm accepted. BTW any advice on telling vs not telling them about my med school try. I thought...may be I shouldn't. But then I have about a year gap in my employment Hx. Although I did a lot of FFS home Care contracting, while running my acupuncture practice prior to. I guess I could always "blame" it on self-employment. I still have to get myself an ICU job :uhoh3: ,and do B.S premed to BSN before I could even qualify. Well, at least it's not travelling to some hellhole nowhere land, and not being able to work for at least next 4-5 yrs :uhoh3: I'm realy jealous that I didn't have areal good friend to talk me out of EGO trip :angryfire :chuckle

Good Luck to you, and hang in there.

If you don't mind I'll pm you sometime in the future.

Thanks

ali_gator · Sep 7, 2005

Hey Ali_ Gator, it's always good to here from those who actualy have used services, and can tell their first hand exp. Of course, I wish you to stay healthy, and never use those services again .No matter how bad for CRNA, or A/MD business it may be. Did you have any reservations about nurse vs doctor performing the anasthesia?I don't doubt CRNAs professionalism for a moment. I'm just trying to rebutle some of the general public's stereotypes outthere. I am actualy strongly considering it as a career option. Anyway, I'm glad everything worked out for you fine.
Good Luck
See you later

Hi Papadoc,

I had no reservations whatsoever about using a CRNA. I had heard many good things about them. Actually, the surgeries were elective (nose and breasts), and I would certialy use a CRNA again, if I ever decide to have (or need to have) surgery again.

I know CRNAs perform most anesthesia in the United States. I think most people are aware that they're competent practitioners.

I know this is a little off topic, but I was also impressed over how well she took care of me in the recovery room.

All in all, the lady really knew what she was doing.

Papadoc · Sep 7, 2005

Hi Papadoc,
I had no reservations whatsoever about using a CRNA. I had heard many good things about them. Actually, the surgeries were elective (nose and breasts), and I would certialy use a CRNA again, if I ever decide to have (or need to have) surgery again.
I know CRNAs perform most anesthesia in the United States. I think most people are aware that they're competent practitioners.
I know this is a little off topic, but I was also impressed over how well she took care of me in the recovery room.
All in all, the lady really knew what she was doing.

Hey Ali_Gator!

Thanks again.That's realy great to hear. Hope all is well.

Good Luck