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Zaria
Student
Bellwood, Illinois
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What´s the difference between Anesthesiologist assistant and Nurse Anesthetist?
An Anesthesiologist, Nurse Anesthetist and Anesthesiologist assistant have a few things in common. I´m interested in becoming an Anesthesiologist but the course load has me terrified. #doctor #medicine #healthcare #premed #college #Anesthesia #nurse
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Zahid Iqbal
Software Engineer
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Austin, Texas
Updated
Zahid’s Answer
When comparing the jobs of certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) vs. anesthesiologist assistant (AA), there are many similarities in their education and jobs, but also some important differences.
Here's the difference between their job descriptions:
Anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) are physician assistants (PAs) whose specialty is anesthesiology. PAs work on teams with physicians, surgeons, registered nurses (RNs) and other health care workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report on physician assistants. They usually provide direct patient care with a group of physicians in private practice or at a clinic. Although PAs do have nursing degrees, they have more advanced medical knowledge and skills than most RNs and assume more responsibility than RNs do. AAs typically work where surgeries are performed outside of hospitals, such as plastic surgeons' or dentists' offices.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are RNs who received their master's degree training in anesthesiology and passed a certification test to earn the CRNA designation. According to the BLS report on CRNAs, they are more likely to work in hospitals, assisting anesthesiologists with major surgeries and monitoring patients during surgery. CRNAs are capable of administering anesthesia without supervision, and they are the sole anesthesia providers in most rural hospitals, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. They also often administer anesthesia for medical procedures for the U.S. Armed Forces.
The pay range is also different as the level of responsibility is different for both. Check out this link to learn about each one:
https://work.chron.com/career-goals-objectives-aspiring-nurses-7771.html
Here's the difference between their job descriptions:
Anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) are physician assistants (PAs) whose specialty is anesthesiology. PAs work on teams with physicians, surgeons, registered nurses (RNs) and other health care workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report on physician assistants. They usually provide direct patient care with a group of physicians in private practice or at a clinic. Although PAs do have nursing degrees, they have more advanced medical knowledge and skills than most RNs and assume more responsibility than RNs do. AAs typically work where surgeries are performed outside of hospitals, such as plastic surgeons' or dentists' offices.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are RNs who received their master's degree training in anesthesiology and passed a certification test to earn the CRNA designation. According to the BLS report on CRNAs, they are more likely to work in hospitals, assisting anesthesiologists with major surgeries and monitoring patients during surgery. CRNAs are capable of administering anesthesia without supervision, and they are the sole anesthesia providers in most rural hospitals, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. They also often administer anesthesia for medical procedures for the U.S. Armed Forces.
The pay range is also different as the level of responsibility is different for both. Check out this link to learn about each one:
https://work.chron.com/career-goals-objectives-aspiring-nurses-7771.html
Basically, AAs are only licensed in 20 states and can't work independently (must always be signed off by an anesthesiologist) whereas CNRAs are licensed in all states and can work independently in many states for lower complexity procedures. Both are very smart and talented and gaining entrance is very difficult (I didn't make the cut for AA due to some weak science grades).
Allen Botnick DC CNIM
Jerin Abraham
Medical Scribe- Pre-med student
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jerin’s Answer
A Certified Anesthesia Assistant (AA) is an healthcare worker who provide anesthetic care under the direction of a anesthesiologist physician.
A CRNA is a nurse who has been trained in anesthesia and is able to provide anesthesia without the supervision of a Anesthesiologist
Although they pretty much do the same thing and work in similar work settings, the main difference is that CRNA’s can work in any states but CAA’s are only able to work in 16 states/jurisdictions as of now. Some CRNA programs are becoming doctorate programs now while CAA is a masters program.
A CRNA is a nurse who has been trained in anesthesia and is able to provide anesthesia without the supervision of a Anesthesiologist
Although they pretty much do the same thing and work in similar work settings, the main difference is that CRNA’s can work in any states but CAA’s are only able to work in 16 states/jurisdictions as of now. Some CRNA programs are becoming doctorate programs now while CAA is a masters program.