Re: Intrest in becoming an AA, lots of questions Archived Message
Posted by Mike on October 4, 2009, 5:54 pm, in reply to "Intrest in becoming an AA, lots of questions"
Carrie- Here’s some answers. Keep in mind that Im applying right now, so what I know is from asking others/personal research, and not as a matriculate into a program.
First-You say your GPA is a 2.5. The minimum is typically 2.75 with VERY FEW if ANY exceptions. However, they typically “recommend/prefer” a 3.0-both science and overall. I evaluate that as not applying until I get my GPA over 3.0 for both. If your GPA is a 2.75 (the minimum) and every other applicant has a 3.0+ you’d better have a STELLAR application in EVERY other aspect. AA school is not easy, and the first year is all science based. The exams are incredibly difficult (from those who are in school have told me) and the admissions committee has to know that you are capable to handle the rigors of the program. I mean, you ARE doing anesthesia and putting peoples’ lives in potential jeopardy here….My question is, if you are a biology major, then isn't most of your classes science classes? How can your science GPA be As and Bs, and your overall so low?
You have to ask yourself why you are interested in anesthesiology. Is it the money? Or are you genuinely interested in anesthesia? Many who “recently become interested” is because they hear it is fast, easy $; which is false. I would suggest shadowing an AA or an anesthesiologist. You have to have a MINIMUM of 10 hours of shadow experience in applications, and I would have much more. I’ve worked in anesthesia for a few years now, and from my personal experience, I will tell you that some days are just not so glamorous. Its not all new and exciting. Other times are, but sometimes its not. Do some shadowing and absolutely make sure you it is a career you want.
Prereqs- Only Emory and Case Western start in August. You will find that most applicants have 90%-100% of their pre-reqs done. South and Nova start in June, and UMKC starts in January. If you plan to get your prereqs finished in august then you are only looking at two schools who you might qualify for to start immediately after finishing.
MCAT-of the 5 schools, 3 take the GRE as well. The GRE isn't an easy test either. The most important thing is to do well. Its just one more piece of information that admissions has in evaluating you.
Application deadlines-I would check each individual school’s website for this info. I would tell you or do it for you, but being proactive is part of learning what you need to know about this profession. Do some research! If you go on the schools’ sites you can find these application deadlines on your own. But no, it is not too late to apply.
AAs aren’t going anywhere. Most students have multiple offers before they are even done with school. State’s propose legislation each year for licensing AAs in states where there currently is not any laws to practice. The profession is only going to continue to grow. I live in Utah, and it will pass. Hopefully this next year. If not we will continue to propose it until it does. This past year it only failed by a few votes because of “political favors” legislators owed some CRNA lobbyists. Be rest assured, it will continue to grow. Even John’s Hopkins sponsored a bill in MD in support of practice laws. Like I said, it will only continue to grow.
Do AA's get passed over in favor of CRNA's for jobs? Not necessarily. Most of the time, groups/hospitals hire both. It’s the ACT model that they practice in. There is a huge anesthesia shortage-everywhere. Lots of times jobs go unfilled. I don’t think anyone would “pass over” an AA for a CRNA. Its not like there is only one job and the MD chooses a CRNA over an AA for it. That type of situation (if ever) rarely exists. PS-gaswork.com is NOT a reliable source for the number of AA jobs; Im just saying…
What do you mean by “CRNA route to be safe.” There may not be practice laws in every state, but AAs will continue to have jobs. If you do your research, you will see that AAs have been around since 1969. The CRNAs do not have to achieve the same educational standard as AAs do to get into the similar type of (anesthesia) school. Im not saying that AAs are better than CRNAs, but as Jeb bush put it: There are differences in training between CRNAs and AAs, but the differences do not equate inferiority . Its just another route of getting to where you want to be. Do you want to go about anesthesia via the medical model, or the nursing model? Its your choice.
Is it at all possible as an AA to get certified for a CRNA if you don't get a CRNA degree? NO! Why would you even want to do that!?
Do you have a chance? The only people who can answer that are you and the admissions committee to where you are applying. I hope this answers your Q’s. You just need to evaluate yourself and decide what is in your best interest.
You can visit www.anesthetist.org (the AAAA official site) and also go through and read all of the older posts on this site (about applying) for more answers.
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