What is the difference between a CRNA and a medical anaesthetist

[vandiola]

I have looked at other discussions about the differences between CRNA and anaesthetists but they usually descend into argument without actually explaining the roles.

We don't have a similar role for nurses in the UK, and I just wanted to see what is the actual difference between the professions. Is a CRNA more limited in their practice compared to a doctor. And are members of the public more widely accepting of nurses within this role.

If a similar were introduced into the UK, I don't think the public would react very well.

Cheers

[Extra Pickles]

a CRNA is an RN with advanced education in anesthesiology. An anesthesiologist is an MD. There's a big difference right there. Maybe it's different in different states, but where I am the CRNA must work under the direction of an MD, the MD does not. Much like a nurse practitioner that has a medical doctor over them, I know not the same in every state but that's the general idea.

Right now it looks like everyone and their cousins only go to nursing school so they can become a nurse practitioner or crna, lol, so getting into those programs isn't so easy most of the time. I honestly doubt that the public even knows that the anesthesiologist is a crna, do most people ask about degrees and licenses when meeting the OR team or do they just smile and nod and say OK? I think it's the latter.

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

One of the biggest differences is the schooling by far. CRNA must be a nurse and receive at least a master's in the field before becoming a CRNA while MDAs must go through med school and a significantly lengthy residency in anesthesia.

There are great debates about the effectiveness of crnas vs mdas, but the general consensus is that there is no substantial difference in patient outcome between the 2, though doctors will gladly debate otherwise.

MDAS tend to be more widely accepted and preferred over crnas, mostly because of the title. People just feel more at ease when it comes to a care from "a doctor" rather than "an almost doctor"-- which is something I hear being said quite often when referring to NPs and PAs.

CRNAs tend to handle not quite acutely I'll procedures and less complicated patients, saving the MDAs as the big guns for when things get hairy. They're paid substantially more than CRNAs, but the inclusion of CRNAs into the medical field and often sometimes as first-line care providers has caused a dip in MDA salary (something they're not too happy about) and as a result, lobby to have the role of a CRNA more restrictive. Also, due to the very appealing salary of crnas (around 150k average in usd) it's become the go-to career for many nurses, which has created a bit of a glut, causing starting salaries to dip somewhere around 90-110k USD (not accounting for regional variances)

This is the jist of the info I've gathered back when I did extensive research into the field

[guest769224]

CRNAs tend to handle not quite acutely I'll procedures and less complicated patients, saving the MDAs as the big guns for when things get hairy.

Disagree. If this were true, CRNA's would not be able to practice independently. Many do. CRNA's can handle the big gun sick patients without an MDA.

Also, most salaries remain at 140K or so starting. Not the $90-110K you have listed. The only state I have heard of with dampened CRNA starting salaries is Florida, and occasionally its neighboring states. Even so, there is plenty to be made in the region if one is resourceful.