warzone

This includes planning on working in the ICU for the minimum amount of time required by your school's program. Did this 'focus' seem to help you through your BSN program? Do you feel it hindered you in any way? It seems to most on this board that the CRNA was a natural progression, not necessarily the goal from the beginning. From the posts that I have read, the only exceptions seem to be those who are 'older career changers' like myself. And on a side note...did any of you CRNAs take advanced Anatomy classes that focused on Neuroanatomy prior to your CRNA program? If so, do you feel you benefited from doing so? Thanks in advance.

Since I am 'maturely challenged' it struck me funny that poop was telling us that we would have to clean it up! I guess I am just a visual thinker...my bad! :chuckle Ok, I am over it now. :stone

I'm sorry but this is killing me..."as Tenesma said..." Ha! I get the worst visual. Why is poop always so funny - unless you have to clean it up.

Quick background. 30 year old male changing careers from Industrial Design to Nursing. Plan on starting BSN program next Fall. I am finishing up my CNA class here shortly. I plan to work as a CNA while going through the 2 years of the BSN program. Is there a specific area that I should look into working that would benefit my plans to become a CRNA? OR? ICU? Other? Keep in mind that I am totally new to the Health Care Field. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

A special thanks to Tenesma for the differing view point. I think it's very beneficial to have an MDAs persepective in this discussion...however unpopular it may be.

Thanks Loisane for taking the time to see where that QUOTE came from. DON'T KILL THE MESSENGER! LOL!

Thanks Emerald! From that Forum: "Check out http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orla.../17/story6.html . I think it's hilarious that CRNA's, having been made almost totally independent in some states, have failed to actually deliver on anaesthesia care in underserviced areas (surprise! they like to work in cities too)...but are more than willing to fight tooth and nail against other practitioners such as AA's. They have the audacity to argue is that AA's will threaten public safety, and that they don't have rigorous enough training and experience! But they are silent on who's going to provide the care in low-renumeration areas. Give me a break! I'm actually a soon-to-be rads resident in Canada so I don't pretend to know all the issues. (We don't have CRNA legislation here, but resp therapists seem poised to fill the void). However, I think organized anaesthesiology will have to consider carefully which type of non-physician provider to support (not whether ). It seems that AA's want to work with BC'd anesthesiologists -- I think it will be easy to sell this concept to the public and in the long run beneficial for the profession. Thoughts?"

Well then AAs are dead in the water, if it can't be marketed as a viable option. Would the AA profession have been 'created' if there was no viable way to market it? I highly doubt that the role of AAs, if given the right amount of time, will stay stagnant. If they are directly supervised by MDAs, and proven reliable, why would they not be afforded more autonomy?

Well then AAs are dead in the water, if it can't be marketed as a viable option. Would the AA profession have been 'created' if there was no viable way to market it? I highly doubt that the role of AAs, if given the right amount of time, will stay stagnant. If they are directly supervised by MDAs, and proven reliable, why would they not be afforded more autonomy?

I am wondering if MDA's will use their power to push AA's autonomy level up almost on par with CRNAs, while still keeping their leverage over them. MDAs are probably looking at CRNAs, similar to the way CRNAs view AAs. Will patient care suffer? I don't know, but I bet that is not a driving force in this. As far as economics goes. . . what kind of staffing ratios or staffing heirarchy can be achieved by using MDAs, CRNAs, and AAs that still allows for the same patient volume? Which ends up being the most cost effective?

I am wondering if MDA's will use their power to push AA's autonomy level up almost on par with CRNAs, while still keeping their leverage over them. MDAs are probably looking at CRNAs, similar to the way CRNAs view AAs. Will patient care suffer? I don't know, but I bet that is not a driving force in this. As far as economics goes. . . what kind of staffing ratios or staffing heirarchy can be achieved by using MDAs, CRNAs, and AAs that still allows for the same patient volume? Which ends up being the most cost effective?

Here's a "FAQ" from a University with an AA program: Is the job description for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) profession equivalent to that for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)? Yes. When AAs are employed within the same organizations as CRNAs, the job description is usually identical. One fundamental difference is that AAs must work under the medical supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist. Conversely, in some unique clinical settings (usually not at tertiary care centers), a CRNA can practice under the medical supervision of any physician (not necessarily an anesthesiologist).

Here's a "FAQ" from a University with an AA program: Is the job description for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) profession equivalent to that for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)? Yes. When AAs are employed within the same organizations as CRNAs, the job description is usually identical. One fundamental difference is that AAs must work under the medical supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist. Conversely, in some unique clinical settings (usually not at tertiary care centers), a CRNA can practice under the medical supervision of any physician (not necessarily an anesthesiologist).

Here is an AA's description: Anesthesiologist Assistants are highly educated allied heath professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to develop and implement anesthesia care plans. Anesthesiologist Assistants work exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). AA's are trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. Anesthesiologist Assistants educational programs are based on the masters degree model and require at least two full academic years. Programs are required to be co-directed by board certified anesthesiologists. AA educational programs accept students who have prior education in the sciences that would qualify the student to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, or one of the basic medical sciences. Students are taught course work that enhances their basic science knowledge in physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, and biochemistry with special emphasis on the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, and neuromuscular systems. Clinical instruction educates students extensively in patient monitoring, anesthesia delivery systems, life support systems, and patient assessment as well and in the skills need to provide compassionate, quality care.

Here is an AA's description: Anesthesiologist Assistants are highly educated allied heath professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists to develop and implement anesthesia care plans. Anesthesiologist Assistants work exclusively within the Anesthesia Care Team environment as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). AA's are trained extensively in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. Anesthesiologist Assistants educational programs are based on the masters degree model and require at least two full academic years. Programs are required to be co-directed by board certified anesthesiologists. AA educational programs accept students who have prior education in the sciences that would qualify the student to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, or one of the basic medical sciences. Students are taught course work that enhances their basic science knowledge in physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, and biochemistry with special emphasis on the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, and neuromuscular systems. Clinical instruction educates students extensively in patient monitoring, anesthesia delivery systems, life support systems, and patient assessment as well and in the skills need to provide compassionate, quality care.

Let's have a discussion/debate (although it will probably be one sided) about AA vs. CRNA. These are just some topics I thought of off the top of my head. Any input or 'playing devil's advocate' would be appreciated. - What is the difference in schooling/certification/academics? - What is the difference in their scope of practice or autonomy? - What economic factors are behind the push of AAs, if any? - Can we relate this situation to another in Healthcare? Possibly LPN vs. RN? - What are the best and worst case scenarios for CRNAs in the future, as it pertains to AAs vs. CRNAs? - Why should one become a CRNA, rather than an AA? - How does the MDA benefit from the increased use of AAs vs CRNAs? - How does all this factor into the level of care a patient receives? We need some AAs or MDAs to log on here to stir up the pot. This is probably an emotional subject for some, but let's keep it civil. Ultimately we are all on the same team...I guess everyone just wants to be the MVP. Who wants to cast the first stone?

Let's have a discussion/debate (although it will probably be one sided) about AA vs. CRNA. These are just some topics I thought of off the top of my head. Any input or 'playing devil's advocate' would be appreciated. - What is the difference in schooling/certification/academics? - What is the difference in their scope of practice or autonomy? - What economic factors are behind the push of AAs, if any? - Can we relate this situation to another in Healthcare? Possibly LPN vs. RN? - What are the best and worst case scenarios for CRNAs in the future, as it pertains to AAs vs. CRNAs? - Why should one become a CRNA, rather than an AA? - How does the MDA benefit from the increased use of AAs vs CRNAs? - How does all this factor into the level of care a patient receives? We need some AAs or MDAs to log on here to stir up the pot. This is probably an emotional subject for some, but let's keep it civil. Ultimately we are all on the same team...I guess everyone just wants to be the MVP. Who wants to cast the first stone?

Interesting...thank you very much. Is the care for pediatric patients covered in most CRNA Programs, either by didactic or clinicals? I would presume most of the course work is centered around adult patient care.

Correct me if I am wrong... I believe that Anethesiologists take an extra year or so to certify them as a Pediatric Anesthesiologist. Is there an extra certification available or needed to work with children in a CRNA capacity? Thanks.

All though this is a case specific, it might be of interest: http://www.aacn.org/aacn/practice.nsf/a40dd285cb9efd8e8825669e00031e21/b3d2b50fd5b98cfd88256754007185c3?OpenDocument=

Seems like I was given Demerol to stop the shaking? Of course I could be wrong, I was starting to panic after what seemed like 15 minutes of shaking. The funny thing is, the nurse looked a little worried too and said, "maybe I should call the Doctor?" - while looking straight at me! Yeah, that put me at ease. LOL!

About a year ago I had a microdiscectomy performed at L5-S1. Shortly after I was awakened I could not stop shivering/shaking. It was getting worse, so I asked the nurse who was standing next to me to please get me something for it. She piled blankets all over me to try and warm me up, but it was not doing the trick. I did not feel 'cold' but the shivering would not stop. I thought maybe my body was in shock because of the surgery, but for some reason I think there might have been a different explanation. Eventually she medicated me through the IV (as far as I can remember) and the shaking immediately ceased. One other thing that I found odd, is that I can remember having my endotracheal tube pulled out. Given, I was out of it, but still can remember it quite clearly. Anyways, what are the most likely reasons for my uncontrollable shaking post anesthesia? Was it really just shock? Is this common? Thanks.

I believe Chiros can help some problems, but as mentioned in some other posts, some don't know where their boundries are. Often times the same 'adjustments' are used for virtually all back problems. The move where they bring on leg up towards your chest than twist you, or the 'breath out' while having a fist behind your back. If your problem deals with the nerves in your back or your discs I would seriously want an MRI before any adjustment is made. Another question is would your back have healed on it's own without the chiropractic care? Or, is the adjustment just masking the symptoms by releasing your bodies natural pain killers? If you have to go back, over and over, or even on a monthly or weekly basis, you have to wonder if your being fixed or just having you symptoms masked. Dont' get me wrong, I have been to Chiros in the past and it has seemed to help, but when I was told I need to come on a regular schedule...I became skeptical.