taken boards max. times and failed

ChrisLady · Jan 17, 2009

As far as I know you have to take a remediation course within one year of taking the test again. You need proof of successful completion consisting of 30 hours.

jwk · Jan 19, 2009

You must be certified before practicing anesthesia. We are held up to a higher standard that any of our peers (both nurses and MDs).
.

Really? Very interesting. CRNA's remain the only one of the three anesthesia providers that doesn't have a recertification exam. All it takes is passing the exam once, and turning in your credits every two years. That's it. AA's must retest every six years, and all board certified anesthesiologists that have completed residency after 1999 must retest every 10 years.

So who has the higher standard?

allnurses Guide · Jan 19, 2009

Really? Very interesting. CRNA's remain the only one of the three anesthesia providers that doesn't have a recertification exam. All it takes is passing the exam once, and turning in your credits every two years. That's it. AA's must retest every six years, and all board certified anesthesiologists that have completed residency after 1999 must retest every 10 years.
So who has the higher standard?

And the research that shows retesting vs. CEs is safer for patients/provides better outcomes etc.... There is none, yet all the research out there shows CRNAs giving at least as safe care as MDAs as independent providers.

Where is all the research to state how safe AAs are as independent providers....OH, I forgot AAs can't practice independently.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jan 19, 2009

jwk,

what's with the nastiness? This is so unlike you.

loveanesthesia · Jan 19, 2009

I wouldn't say the CRNAs are held to a higher standard, but you must pass the Certification exam before you can be licensed. A physician license is not based on Board Certification, in fact they can't become Board Certified until they have been in practice a prescribed period of time. Board Certification is becoming more of a 'requirement' for physician's, ie reimbursement tied to either being Board Eligible, or Board Certified, or by institutional policy. For CRNAs it is an absolute, have to pass boards to practice. There are some temporary exceptions for new graduates in some states, usualy in the 1-2 month range while you wait for board results.

The CRNA Certification Exam began in the 1940's, so the long history is a factor in retesting. A national exam was cutting edge at that time, and retesting was not included. It has/is being discussed. What are the reason's retesting hasn't been mandated? My take: cost-setting up the infrastructure to retest 35,000+, lack of effectiveness-it is debatable that patient care would be improved. I think we can all agree that someone may be able to pass any test but not be able to perform in the clinical area. Passing boards when you first graduate from a nurse anesthesia program is not the best indicator of competence, it is the fact that you graduated from a nurse anesthesia program where experts have observed your practice and judged it to be safe. I do think we will see retesting in nurse anesthesia.

For the current requirements to take the Certification Exam, http://www.aana.com/Credentialing.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=112&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=143

You must pass boards within 2 calendar years of official completion of a program, you can test a max of 4 times in 1 calendar year. "Candidates who do not take and pass the Certification Examination within two calendar years of completion of the nurse anesthesia educational program will not be eligible to apply to take the Certification Examination unless they enter and complete another unabridged accredited nurse anesthesia program."

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jan 20, 2009

"Loveanesthesia", Really informative, well thought out response. Thank you.

jwk · Jan 20, 2009

jwk,
what's with the nastiness? This is so unlike you.

I'm simply challenging your statement that you're "held up to a higher standard that any of our peers".

NICU_RN_CN · Jan 22, 2009

As of this year you can take the test 4 times within a year period up to 2 years for a total of 8 times. See www.NBCRNA.com

NICU_RN_CN · Jan 23, 2009

I'm simply challenging your statement that you're "held up to a higher standard that any of our peers".

We are held to the same standards as our PEERS!!! I am just as competent as an anesthesiologist. I wont get started on AA's.

jwk · Jan 24, 2009

We are held to the same standards as our PEERS!!! I am just as competent as an anesthesiologist. I wont get started on AA's.

You can't get started on them because you know absolutely nothing about them first-hand, only what you've read.

And as I've already pointed out, CRNA's are absolutely NOT held to the the same recertification standards as anesthesiologists - the standard for CRNA's is lower, period. The fact that the AANA is toying with the idea of starting one is simple proof of that.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 24, 2009

hummmmmmmmmmmmm...looks like their doing away with aba exam and moving to career portfolio review.

the american board of anesthesiology is replacing its recertification in anesthesiology program with the maintenance of certification in anesthesiology (moca®) program. the voluntary program for anesthesiology recertification will end in 2009.
if your aba certificate is not time limited and you think you have a need to recertify, you must apply for admission to the anesthesiology recertification examination by december 31, 2008. no applications will be accepted after this date. currently either program is available to aba diplomates who were certified prior to january 1, 2000.
the aba issued diplomates certified on or after january 1, 2000 a certificate that is valid for 10 years. diplomates with a time-limited certificate must satisfactorily complete maintenance of certification in anesthesiology (moca®) before their time-limited certificate expires to maintain diplomate status in the specialty. the recertification in anesthesiology program is not available to these diplomates.
http://www.theaba.org/anesthesiology-maintenance.aspx
additionally, moca allows all diplomates to demonstrate continuing qualifications. each moca cycle is a 10-year period of ongoing lifelong learning and self-assessment; continual assessment of professional standing (medical licensure); periodic assessments of practice performance; and assessment of cognitive expertise.http://www.theaba.org/mocafaq.aspx

sounds similar to:

aana: frequently asked questions for recertification completed every two years.

NICU_RN_CN · Jan 25, 2009

You can't get started on them because you know absolutely nothing about them first-hand, only what you've read.
And as I've already pointed out, CRNA's are absolutely NOT held to the the same recertification standards as anesthesiologists - the standard for CRNA's is lower, period. The fact that the AANA is toying with the idea of starting one is simple proof of that.

Well I do know first hand since I am a CRNA. I have worked with AA's and AA students. They are typically behind the ball. Due to a lack of experience. JWK I am so happy you can assume what I know and what I have read. We all know what assuming makes us!