I see no basic inaccuracy in the information presented from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. However if one wanted to know what a CRNA is, then the more logical website would be that of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). What is missing from the ASA information is the key difference. AAs can ONLY work at facilities directly under anesthesiologists. This greatly limits where they can work as compared to a CRNA. AAs abiliity to practice, to even work, is totally under the control of the anesthesiologists. AAs have absolutely no option to "go independent." A CRNA by contrast works under their own license as an independent practitioner of anesthesia. This independence allows CRNAs to work under anesthesiologists if they chose or in smaller rural facilities. This ability to work independently provides far more opportunity for work in many more locations. Also, nurse anesthetists have been around over 100 years, are recognized by all the states of the union and therefore are a known entitity. AAs on the other hand are not licensed in most states and that again, limits where they can work. I think it is more logical that if someone wants to go into anesthesia, they would go go a sure thing and become a CRNA (or an anesthesiologist) than to take unnecessary risk in going into a profession with limited job opportunites.