5 answers
Hannah
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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I am stuck between three careers. How do I choose the right career path for me?
The three careers I am interested in are being an Anesthesiologist, Anesthesiologist Assistant, and a CRNA. If I choose to be an Anesthesiologist, what are some things I need to be aware of? Also, what's the biggest difference between being an Anesthesiologist and being a CRNA? What are some big things that Anesthesiologist Assistants do that are different from Anesthesiologists?
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5 answers
Sharmistha Das
3
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Sharmistha’s Answer
I am not a Anesthesiologist, Anesthesiologist Assistant, or a CRNA. But when I was deciding between which career path to choose between medicine and engineering in my own life, I had to go through a similar situation myself - so wanted to share. In general you need to find out what will make you happy, engaged and what will motivate you the most getting up in the morning and go to work. What are the aspects of each one that you can relate to the most. And best will be to try out first hand may be even helping out in all these areas you are interested in. That will give you a good perspective on what each one of these can offer and if it is what you are looking for. For me I found out dealing with blood as a doc was off the table so choosing between medicine and engineering was an easy one but for others it may need a bit more work. Hope this helps.
Pamela Neff
Gynecologist
38
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
Hi Hannah,
I am a GYN and have spend many hours in the OR working with anesthesia teams, but I am not an anesthesia provider myself.
Based on my observations, primary differences are in level of training, amount of responsibility, salary, and job stress and satisfaction.
The anesthesiologist is the doctor in charge of the anesthesia team, and must be responsible for what goes on in several ORs or procedure spaces at one time. They are also the person in charge when there is an emergency call to the ICU or OR. Some anesthesiologist focus on pain management and may have a different job setting such as a procedure area where they do injections and other procedures to alleviate pain.
The CRNA is a nurse who gets additional training and does most of the same tasks an anesthesiologist will do, but is only usually responsible for a single patient at a time.
The anesthesia assistant is usually helping stock equipment and bring things to rooms as needed and is not providing medical care independently.
Training for each is vastly different and the lifestyle/schedules are also very different. There are many more years of training for the MD vs CRNA, and the anesthesiologist has longer hours and probably more job related stress. The pay is also vastly different; anesthesiologists earn the highest pay but CRNAs do very well too.
Hope this was helpful.
Pam
I am a GYN and have spend many hours in the OR working with anesthesia teams, but I am not an anesthesia provider myself.
Based on my observations, primary differences are in level of training, amount of responsibility, salary, and job stress and satisfaction.
The anesthesiologist is the doctor in charge of the anesthesia team, and must be responsible for what goes on in several ORs or procedure spaces at one time. They are also the person in charge when there is an emergency call to the ICU or OR. Some anesthesiologist focus on pain management and may have a different job setting such as a procedure area where they do injections and other procedures to alleviate pain.
The CRNA is a nurse who gets additional training and does most of the same tasks an anesthesiologist will do, but is only usually responsible for a single patient at a time.
The anesthesia assistant is usually helping stock equipment and bring things to rooms as needed and is not providing medical care independently.
Training for each is vastly different and the lifestyle/schedules are also very different. There are many more years of training for the MD vs CRNA, and the anesthesiologist has longer hours and probably more job related stress. The pay is also vastly different; anesthesiologists earn the highest pay but CRNAs do very well too.
Hope this was helpful.
Pam
Pravin Madhani
Vice President
5
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Pravin’s Answer
Career choice should depends on multiple things:
1) How much do you really like to work in that field? - You should interview 3 people in that area. Ask them detail questions about
a) What they like about their job?
b) What they dislike about their job?
c) Would they recommend the job to their own son or daughter?
d) Would they select the same profession if they were to rewind their life?
After learning that, if you still like it, try to shadow them for few days and then make a decision is this what you see yourself doing for rest of your life.
2) Do you have the skillset/determination to become what you want to become? For example, I may like to become a heart surgeon but do I have mental determination to study for 12 years after high school to become a heart surgeon.
Remember, you can work hard and become whatever you want. However, it is worthwhile to put some effort upfront to understand what a field entails in long run and is that where you see yourself for next 40 years of your career.
1) How much do you really like to work in that field? - You should interview 3 people in that area. Ask them detail questions about
a) What they like about their job?
b) What they dislike about their job?
c) Would they recommend the job to their own son or daughter?
d) Would they select the same profession if they were to rewind their life?
After learning that, if you still like it, try to shadow them for few days and then make a decision is this what you see yourself doing for rest of your life.
2) Do you have the skillset/determination to become what you want to become? For example, I may like to become a heart surgeon but do I have mental determination to study for 12 years after high school to become a heart surgeon.
Remember, you can work hard and become whatever you want. However, it is worthwhile to put some effort upfront to understand what a field entails in long run and is that where you see yourself for next 40 years of your career.
Bether Gerber
family nurse practitioner
24
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Bether’s Answer
if you become a crna and love it, it's never to late to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist. you would easily get into med school already working as a crna. the good news is if you hate being a crna you will not have wasted all the time and money going to medical school to be an anesthesiologist. talk to some crna's and see what the pros and cons of the job are, the cost of schooling and the pay once you are out. if that works for you then you have your answer. if you get into med school and hate it you can always fall back on your crna job. you might like medical school but decide you like a different area than anesthesia once you get going. there's so many options. it will become more obvious what you want to do as you go along. good luck!
Charlie White
Laboratory
5
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
You alone will have to make a choice. Find someone in each field. Ask what they like and dislike about their careers. I was torn between Laboratory and X-ray. Found I really like the laboratory and have been at it for 50 years now. Whatever you choose make after listening close make your mind up and go for it full force.