Posted by Anesthetist4EVA on March 9, 2007, 10:19 am
I have since been trying to get perspective on my career in anesthesia. I have been to both MDA, CRNA and AA boards and I hear the same B** S***. MDA think the CRNA are wannabes and youth rebeling authority, CRNA think MDA are over-celebrated CRNAs and where do AA fall in? Oh just smack in the middle. Although their antagonism is mostly directed at CRNA and vise-versa. Now my 2 bits. I am choosing AA not cos I am not smart enough to be an MDA. I can go to Med school and ace everything if I put my mind to it but I am not prepared to scrifice my youth, and family and kids to my career. Medicine is hard to balance with a family. I want to be a good mom, have a career that I love and have time for some fun. Now why AA and not CRNA? There are too may hoops to jump. BSN, 1 yr ICU experience, 2.5 yr course. Blablabla. Plus all the irrelevant prereq they make u take before BSN. Had to take A&P even though I was honors Biology major. I think its just silly. Then after BSN, very few new grads are hired in ICU. If you are so lucky, then u have to sign a 2 yrs contract to work with the hospital. All that before I can get to do what I've always wanted to do; anesthesia. I think most people when deciding make decisions based on the facts I have used. At least I do hope so. It has nothing to do with who is better or worse. As to practice I think MDA will always be the top dog. 8 yrs of medical scholl will never be replaced with 2 yrs of AA or CRNA. Amreicans will freak out if we were to suddenly do without MDA in the OR. Why AA and CRNAs fight is beyond me. In the eyes of patients we are both assistants when there is an MDA present. Why is that concept so hard for the CRNA to understand? AA seem to be more in terms with it and it makes for better teamwork. We should all understand and accept the scope of our practice, enjoy the good pay and life style it affords. if you want more, U know what to do, become an MDA. Although I say more power to AANA. I admire their power and efforts. I wish and hope the AA association will do the same. Maybe not use their method of animosity but fight for the AA profession. As soon as I am done with AA school, I will become actively involved and fight for my profession. It takes leaders and the AA need to have some. Whew... that was long!
