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    Re: Where can I find job postings for AA's? Archived Message

    Posted by DC on July 5, 2008, 8:02 am, in reply to "Where can I find job postings for AA's?"

    Hi frank I would like to share a little information with you. First of all congratulation on obtaining your Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology I know It's wasn't easy.

    What state do you live in ?...The reason why I'm asking you is because if you live in a state that has an AA-C program it would make since to go the the AA-C route with already having a Bachelor's of Science degree under your belt.

    Unless you live in a state that does not have a AA-C program or AA-Cs working in that particular state, or you do not want to leave home and move to another state to go to a AA-C program then the CRNA route would be a better choice. Keep in mind although you already have a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology = 4 years if you go the CRNA route you will have to obtain a second Bachelor's of Science degree which is in Nursing 1-1.5 years to obtain your BSN + 1-2 years in ICU + 2.5-3 years all together your looking at least 5 years or more in order to become a Anesthetist as a Nurse profession anywhere from 24-36 Months program (CRNA).

    Where as already having a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology you can become a Anesthetist with in 2.5 years as a Allied Health profession anywhere from 24-28 Months program(AA-C).I'm not in anyway trying to discourage you from applying to CRNA school which ever route you decide to go I sincerely wish you the best either way you go you will be highly respected as a Anesthetist A.A.-C. or C.R.N.A.

    To answer your real question why you see more CRNA jobs vs. AA-C jobs #1.AA-Cs can only practice in 18 states vs. 50 states for CRNAs but that's changing slowly. AA-Cs are either licensed and/or work under delegatory authority requested by a MDA or DOA depending on what sate they live and work in. #2.The vast majority of AA-Cs have a lot of job offers before they even graduate. Example I read an article in The Dallas Morning News/Dallas News.com Anesthesiologist Assistants Facing flood job offers with an average 12 job offers per graduate. by Susan Kreimer. #3.Politics a lot of CRNAs (not all CRNAs oppose AA-Cs) especially the younger CRNAs have been so drilled into the political process that opposes AA-C licensure. The older CRNAs are much more open to the idea of integrating AA-Cs into practice, This is why AA-C are limited from working in all 50 states because every time when AA-Cs want to practice in other states (which they rightfully deserve to work in all 50 states just as CRNAs do) the AANA and/or the state nurse anesthetist association try to "BLOCK" AA-Cs from practicing in that particular state. The bottom line Frank is the younger CRNAs today (present) see AA-Cs as a political issue and direct competition.

    Trust me there are more than enough jobs to go around for both anesthetists AA-C/CRNA. Hospitals & Outpatient Surgery Centers are going up every day every where across the U.S. in all 50 states. In my opinion there should never be battles between CRNAs and AA-Cs we have to respect each other and our indifference's on how we obtain our degree and/or education when it comes to patient care regardless what your expertise is or was before applying to anesthetist program A.A.-C./C.R.N.A.. FACT:There are registered nurses who are AA-Cs. R.N.,A.A.-C.,M.S.A.,B.S.N..

    Another resource you can do on your own, call the agency that have all CRNA only practice group and ask them do they have AA-Cs working for their company or are they willing to hire a AA-C to work at a CRNA only practice group. FACT:there are AA-Cs who works in a CRNA only practice group run my the Medical Director M.D.A. and staffing (job placement) done by the Anesthetist C.R.N.A. after all both (AA-C/CRNA)are doing the same job in the ACT It's about the patient first always remember that in your career.

    In conclusion Frank you have to figure out what path is best for you AA-C/CRNA and do your home work (research) the CRNA only practice group that do hire AA-Cs there out there. They won't just freely advertise it out in the open (public) to the AA-C profession I hope I have helped you in some way. Good luck to you

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