Hello, I have recently been accepted into CRNA school and will start this fall. I have been involved in a discussion in a nursing synthesis class this semester and I want to pose some of the discussion to the forum and get some feedback. The discussion goes as follows: Some of the issues facing CRNA's are the same as for the entire nursing profession. The shortage of CRNA's is a current issue as many of the CRNA's reach retirement age and school admission is limited. To combat the problem, there are more CRNA schools opening to accomodate the shortage and some schools are admitting more students each year. Another solution found here in Georgia, or at least the Atlanta area is that the CRNA positions are being filled by AA's. For CRNA's in the Atlanta area, this competition translates into having Ga CRNA salaries being one of the lowest in the nation when compared to other states. From what I understand, there is great animosity between CRNA's/AA's/and physicians in this area. The doctors seem to like the use of AA's because they have more control over them as they cannot practice alone and are limited as to where they can practice. However, this may not always be the case as the AA's lobby to gain rights in many other states, the CRNAs may see greater competition for employment and salaries. However, I do not think employment will be an issue for quite some time given the shortage, but something to think about for the future. Salaries on the other hand are already becoming an issue. The hospitals I have had the opportunity to visit carry a ratio of 80-85% AA's over CRNA's and the majority of the CRNA's are 45+ years old. ------------------I am primarily interested in the forum's thoughts on AA's and their possible threat to CRNA's. Is their a rivalry? Do you think they will affect CRNA hiring and salaries? How many work in the OR at your place of work? Thanks for the feedback and I will pass it on to my classmates....
