Just a few points of clarification. There are thousands of CRNAs that have a bachelors degree with a certification, and many entered anesthesia school right out of nursing school. I work in a department of 50 anesthetists, and there are six that fit that description. The remainder are master's prepared. Three of those master's prepared anesthetists should have never been allowed to graduate and practice. My point--attempting to suggest level of education makes a better anesthetist is absurd. Number of cases/experience, intuition, and a well developed level of good sense make the difference, every single time. AAs would be included in that. Additionally, AAs are not licensed in any state, to my knowledge, under the physicans assistant licensing. Their licensing bodies are separate. Lastly, the requirements for AA application are the same academic prerequisites for med school, (bachelors degree from an accredited institution with course work in chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus), and the GRE or MCAT. The graduate degree an AA trained anesthetist is typically granted, today, is a Master of Science in Applied Biology or Physiology.[/quote]
Let's clarify this too:
The CRNAs that entered anesthesia with only a bachelor's degree usually entered many years past, but went through certificate programs (i.e. Diploma) where they received training above and beyond their BSN. There are an even smaller number of them that learned on the job, mostly being from the military and most are headed to retirement in the future.
"Three of those master's prepared anesthetists should have never been allowed to graduate and practice." Let's not be petty here, there are plenty of MD's and AA's that shouldn't be allowed to practice either.
The major difference between AA's and CRNA's is their experience before entering the anesthesia field. CRNA's had to have a minimum of 1 year critical care nursing (and yes I agree that is not enough, most people have 2-4 years in my experience) had to have a degree in Biology. I feel really fortunate to have the nursing background when I managing difficult patients, I shudder to think about going without it.
AA's have to have a background in science and could have held any position imaginable prior to going into an AA program. CRNAs have to have the nursing background prior to entering school and usually have other healthcare experience as well (personally I had 2 years ED level I trauma center, 2 years CTICU and 10 years of EMS experience prior to anesthesia). This is where the big difference comes from.
"Number of cases/experience, intuition, and a well developed level of good sense make the difference, every single time" - I agree with you wholeheartedly in this, but some background experience is really key!
"Additionally, AAs are not licensed in any state, to my knowledge, under the physicans assistant licensing." This may be true, however AAs cannot work without an anesthesiologist. CRNAs can work under an anesthesiologist or any MD (including DPM, DMD, etc etc) and in no state are required to be "supervised." In 20 states CRNAs can work completely autonomously. AA's are required to be supervised, and are only allowed to practice in about 18 states vs CRNAs are allowed to practice in all 50 states, US territories and many foreign countries.
"Lastly, the requirements for AA application are the same academic prerequisites for med school, (bachelors degree from an accredited institution with course work in chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus), and the GRE or MCAT. The graduate degree an AA trained anesthetist is typically granted, today, is a Master of Science in Applied Biology or Physiology." Same requirements for CRNA, only we don't do the MCAT. Our remaining Master's Degree programs grant you a Master of Science in Biology/Anesthesia or Master of Science in Nursing with an Anesthesia concentration.
CRNAs have been giving anesthesia in the US since long before physicians had been and AAs are a relatively new addition to the anesthesia area. AAs were invented by the American Society of Anesthesiologists to push CRNAs out in hopes of dominating the field. It has not worked. There has never been a manpower study to prove that one gives care better than the other, etc.
I encourage your interest in this field and there are plenty of great resources out there, one in particular is
http://www.nurse-anesthesia.org where there are many forums that can answer all your questions. Good luck in your new career search!
by intrepid1 » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:43 pm
