Posted by DC on February 3, 2009, 12:09 am, in reply to "Re: CRNA Resistance"
Hi monica, I have read all your posts and I would like to share a little information with you. Just as Stanley mention in his post to you, the difference between an AA-C and CRNA is primarily scope of practice and politics when it comes to CRNA AANA (The American Association of Nurse Anesthetist) vs. AA-C AAAA(The American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistant - Anesthetist) that's all. Not all CRNAs are Anti-AA-C the vast majority of CRNAs are against AA-C being licensed and working in all 50 states sad but true.
AA-Cs work under the direction (supervision and/or medical direction) of an licensed Anesthesiologist whether there a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) of the Anesthesia Care Team. AA-Cs in the U.S. are either licensed or work under delegatory at hospitals, such as an academic teaching institution, private practice setting institution, or outpatient service day surgery centers in the ACT. 100% of AA-Cs work in the ACT.
CRNAs may work under the medical direction (and/or supervision) of an Anesthesiologist M.D. or D.O. part of the Anesthesia Care Team, or they may work under the supervision of a surgeon, dentist or independently licensed practitioner legally authorized to deliver anesthesia services delineated in the rules and regulation written in accordance with various state laws. 80% of CRNAS work in the ACT in the same manner as AA-Cs and the other 20% of CRNAs work out of the ACT (independently)
HOWEVER, one-third of all practicing nurse anesthetist have not earn an undergraduate degree. All AA-Cs must have obtain an undergraduate degree with pre-med core curriculum courses which is very "rigorous" and must take either the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination Test).
Hospital that have both AA-Cs and CRNAs employed at their institution in the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT), their jobs are identical both are used interchangeably doing the same exact job. AA-Cs and CRNAs in the ACT stay in the O.R. (suite) with their patients from the beginning of the case to the end of the case anywhere from 30mintues to 8 hours or more depending on the type of surgery that is being perform.
AA-C and CRNA job are both amazing and intriguing profession in the ACT. Nurses (R.N.) who meet the criteria and prerequisites can also be admitted to AA program (anesthetist), there are several nurses who are AA-Cs who chose to go AA-C route vs. CRNA route for different or personal reason.
FACT: there is a nurse who is an AA-C her title reads R.N., M.M.Sc., A.A.-C., she has thirteen (13) years experience as an Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant - Anesthetist and twenty-three (23) years experience as Registered Nurse.
She is licensed as an R.N.,A.A.-C. (anesthetist).
*AA School attended - Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
*B.S. Nursing (Bachelor's of Science in Nursing).
*M.M.Sc. Anesthesiology (Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology).
In closing monica both AA-Cs and CRNAs are highly respected as anesthetist Allied Health/Nursing as mid-level providers in or out of the ACT.
FACT: AA-Cs can train and teach SRNA (student nurse anesthetist) = CRNA. AA-Cs also train and teach their own AA-S/RN,AA-S (student anesthetist/student nurse anesthetist) = AA-C/RN,AA-C.
For more information on AA-C scope of practice and education go to www.anesthetist.org (web site) it will tell you everything you need to know about the AA-C profession.
Click on education of the web site (anesthetist.org) you will see the AA schools click on Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine AA program in Cleveland Ohio, click on program brochure and see what AA-S have to take prerequisites (curriculum) in order to get into the AA program in becoming an AA-C.
Click on Faculty of the AA program to see the entire staff MDA, MDA,PhD, MEd,AA-C and AA-Cs,MSA all 36 AA-Cs including a RN,AA-C,MSA,BSN are Clinical Instructors, all come from different back ground of health care profession all with a Bachelor's of Science degree and Bachelor's of Arts degree (health arts) B.S., B.A. B.Sc. B.S.H. & B.S.N.
Also go to the CRNA web site and look up Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing in Cleveland Ohio, Masters of Science program under Nurse Anesthesia and compare what they have to take to get into CRNA program vs. AA program and judge for your self on both profession on admission stats.
Both school have an anesthetist program on the same campus I respect both CRNAs and AA-Cs, I hope I have help you in some way. Have you thought about moving to the U.S. and working as an AA-C or CRNA? Get back with me thank you