Posted by AA's Can Do IT on February 14, 2007, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: AA=CRNA"
OH, it is definitely about the money. AA's just want an opportunity to work in the field as a MId-Level Provider. We are qualified and have the same level of formal education as a CRNA. However, we are happy to work under the supervision of a Board Certified MDA. The AANA and some CRNA's are not. They want to play "MDA" with out a Medical degree or the same degree of formal Anesthesia training.
Do you want a Nurse Practitioner doing Cardiac Bypass Surgery on you? Do you want a face lift by a Physician's Assistant solo? Do you want an experienced Surgical technician to do your gallbladder surgery alone? No. But, when it comes to putting you to sleep, paralyzing you and keeping you alive do you prefer an Advanced Level Nurse Practitioner (CRNA) OVER a Board Certified Physician Anesthesiologist?
AA's work under the supervision of the most qualified Anesthesia Provider the USA has to offer: the MDA. A person who went to Medical School and did a four year Residency. We function well in the team model and play well with others.
So, yes it's about the money. It is about the greedy Nurse Anesthetists who won't tell the truth about their FORMAL LEVEL OF EDUCATION and who won't let other qualified Mid-Level Providers work in the field. These days the bully in the Anesthesia World is the AANA and they are trying desperately to keep the AA's out of the game. Well, we may not be as big or as strong but we will fight like hell as often as it takes to get our fair shot at playing. We are not going anywhere and those CRNA bullies better get used to it.
