Posted by Jon
on January 25, 2009, 10:44 am, in reply to "Re:Physician extender Anesthetist A.A.-C./R.N.A.A.-C."
75.145.233.66
I'm a CRNA who has been practicing for the past 10 years and half of that as an independent anesthetist in a ASC and now at a small 3 OR hospital. I am advising a potential future anesthesia student who has a BS in biology. I am not a fan of the AA programs however from an economic viewpoint, the AA program being the shortest route for her to a great salary, I think she would do well in that program. On her own, she is investigating "bridge" programs that will give her a BSN and then she could apply to more than 100 CRNA programs which would allow her to work in all 50 states and all US territories. Her time commitment to education would be a bit longer but I think the benefits and advantages are overwhelmingly superior to a comparitively limited career as an AA. As a side note I personally would have a great challange working in an environment that employs AA's and CRNA's. I think the CRNA's should probably move on to non AA facilities or vice versa. My understanding is that the AANA is pretty clear that on an educational level, CRNA's aer not to supervise or 'mentor' AA's. I think this is a legal POV not a 'class' POV. Irregardless of this future students decision I wish her well and if you are in an AA program I also wish you well.
Responses:
