Anesthesiologist (MD/DO) vs CRNA vs CAA/AA

All of these people - an anesthesiologist, CRNA and AA - provide anesthesia... so what's the difference? In this video, I go over the differences in training, tuition costs, salaries, practice types, and offer additional advice as to considerations for what path may work best for you. Everyone's situation is a bit different, so it's important to be educated on what each path entails!
I also provide a more organized look into this comparison in my blog entry: blog.amandaxi....
For a CAA/AA on KZbin, check out Sally D. Hoang: / @anesthesiasal
For a CRNA on KZbin, check out Rhianna Ferial: / @theschoellerfamily
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DISCLAIMER: I never record videos during active patient care. Opinions in my videos are mine and not representative of the organizations I am part of. Videos are meant for education and are not medical advice. Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel!

[@myaznbui]

Great video! Very objective and informative. The scope of practice is the biggest difference. For everyone considering the practice of anesthesia: if you want to be an anesthesiologist, be prepared to be a physician first, anesthesiologist second. That means understanding a bit of every medical/surgical specialty through 4 years of medical school and internship, capabilities of making managing medications, prescribing new treatments, etc. this also allows anesthesiologists to pursue fellowships beyond anesthesia including ICU, pain, addiction medicine, transfusion medicine, sleep medicine, etc. For CRNA is the practice of nursing first. It is a different schooling, and even ICU nursing role is different to an ICU resident/physician. ICU nursing prepares a nurse to care for sicker patients, understand titration of drips, etc. Nursing generally does not involve the practice of prescribing or managing medications and treatments. So if one is happy to not venture out to doing internal medicine type things, then CRNAs are great to delivering anesthesia. In the military with enough experience, most CRNAs practice independently I believe. AAs are I think the true technicians of anesthesia. Truly assisting in taking care of anesthetized patients as AAs do not have either the nursing or medicine background. I have worked with both AAs and CRNAs and respective students of both. It’s a joy to be part of a team approach. As a physician, I believe my role is to be a medical consultant to my colleagues.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for this informative comment! I think a lot of individuals looking for career guidance will find it helpful.

[@Hannah-xg2xq]

Wow what great insight into icu nursing! You sound like you have a really awesome respectful team approach as an MD, and as a nurse I respect that a lot!!

[@jenniferpan9999]

No offense, but I don't agree with the point that AA is a "technician"...

[@nvydrew]

@@jenniferpan9999 I think what he meant by using the term technician was that AA's get a very focused, specialized training and expertise specifically in the field of anesthesia. Whereas nurses and physicians have a broader set of experiences that they go through which honestly are mostly unrelated to anesthesia. I've even heard a physician call himself a technician lol. He is probably the most renowned Orthopedic surgeon I've met but admits that "all I know how to do is operate, I'm just a technician at this point"

[@nvydrew]

@@AmandaSXiMD I love this video! Thank you for not feeding the contentious argument that exists between anesthesia providers. Let's be real ultimately it all comes down to how the billing is done and who gets what.

[@msheehandub]

I'm a respiratory therapist and considering CAA school. Such a great informative video you've made. Thanks!

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck!

[@Hadrian_S]

I like to view it as a military structure. Physicians will be the generals. Newer docs will be Brigadier generals and they gain stars with experience. CRNAs are the Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels. AAs will be the Captains and Majors. Nurses and RTs are 2nd and 1st Lieutenants. CNAs are the Corporals and Sargeant’s. EVS, Linen, Dietary are the Privates. We all need each other and while some jobs require less training than others, the hospital would fall apart without each and every employee.

[@IvanFazekas]

One thing the salty nurses on here are failing to acknowledge is that we don’t learn to diagnose in school - and that process of doing so during our education and training is what really sets us apart. However, as we work with MDs on the job, we learn in real-time why the doctor wants X or Y drug/procedure; it’s this knowledge gained that emboldens us to feel as if we could be near or on equal footing - especially when most surgeons want us to put in orders for them without bothering them. They also want us to start drips and administer meds without bothering them so there will be a lot of standing or protocol orders. Working like that - once we get good at it -- it makes us feel like we are practically MDs at that point (kinda.. haha). What really burns us is the pay. If we provide (as Mid Level Care Practioners) the same basic services without consultation/direction of a physician and instead operate autonomously, we feel those things should be paid the same. Protocols are protocols and billing for an EKG (for example) shouldn’t be less just because a nurse ordered it and not an MD. There is a threshold for scope of care where both MD and NP overlap (mid-level care and below). But it is what it is. Not saying I resent MDs but just expressing what I and other people in my profession feel about the current pay and billing standard under Medicare and Medicaid services.

[@ameliawan9729]

Amanda, thank you so much for making this video! And I was so inspired and moved when you said it's never too late to go to medical school because that's always in the back of my head, but since I went to nursing school, I always told myself that I no longer qualify and I am too late to change now. 😭 I would love to make a video talking about your fellowship year to become an intensivist! That sounds super interesting!

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Hi Amelia! I'll reiterate - it's never too late! Just make sure that it's the right path because it's a long road and can lead to resentment and frustration if it ends up being a poor fit in career choice. Thanks for the idea on making a video on my fellowship year!

[@myaznbui]

It is definitely never too late! I have went to school is with many people who decided to transition from nursing to medical school. Without a doubt, they were great! Had a lot more practical experience than I did coming from college such as taking a basic H&P, placing IVs, ACLS, etc. It is a wonder to me sometimes why BSN don’t apply to medical school.

[@BigTroubleD]

@@myaznbui isn’t there discrimination from many MD schools against applicants who were nurses before though?

[@ggjr61]

I noticed you included the college years in the total year of education needed for the doctor but left it out for the nurse.

[@UneasyTortoise]

Thanks so much for bringing more attention to the AA profession!. starting my program this may and cant wait !

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Happy to promote all of our team members within anesthesiology! Good luck starting your program!

[@101tammi123]

As a student registered nurse anesthetist, I can tell you that CRNA school is very intense and working is almost impossible. We can spend 40-60 hours/week in clinical in addition to going to class and doing homework. School IS our job.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for sharing this perspective!

[@stevenjohnson3979]

If you think CRNA school is so intense I encourage you to get a uworld step 1 subscription or free trial. Come see what big leagues look like rookie :). Try step 2 uworld after that :)

[@kaiko2600]

@@stevenjohnson3979 Dang, I totally missed the part of her comment where she said being a physician was easy? Insecure.

[@tarekah4392]

The differences exist for a reason and I'm tired of people trying to deny it because they have fragile egos. You can't have your cake and eat it too. CAA, CRNA and AA are less rigorous for a reason. When shit hits the fan, an MD anesthesiologist has the knowledge, education and training to do what they do AND more. get over yourself and maybe see a therapist for your inferiority complex.

[@mustang8206]

Yeah that's exactly how medical school is except it's way longer and you have residency after

[@iwatchkittenvids45]

@3:08 was confusing. Your training is not 12 years. Your training was 4-5 years and your schooling was 8 years (we weren't learning about volatile anesthetics in undergrad biochem). A CRNA's training is 3-3.5 years and their education is only 4 years for undergrad but if we're including the didactic inclusion during their training, then 7. This is all not counting icu experience which varies greatly. Just thought that needed clearing up. For CAAs I guess 2 years of training, 4 years of education (again if including their master's didactic portion, 6 years?)

[@NN-ko8fu]

Thank you for saying this.. I'm not interested nor will I ever be interested in Anesthesiology but this seems to be the running theme for all these specialties.. lauding 12 to 13yrs of training when actually training towards their specialty is 1/3rd of that.. while st the same time not including the same for the other professions.. thank you for clarifying this.. additionally, other degree award programs in medicine such as PA school, is all year round with 1-2wks break in btwn semesters if that.. which makes it 27 to 30 months. Medical school take the first summer semester off and the last year is mostly spent doing interviews, research or sub-internships if needed.. MD schools now offer a 3yr track.. just point of charity.. but let me be very clear, Doctors undergo intense training to be where they are and the leaders of the care team..

[@NewNurseGuidebook]

Thank you for the great content Dr. Amanda!

[@Hannah-xg2xq]

I would also add is that CRNA programs are quickly becoming doctoral level only! The AANA is making universities/medical center schools are required to convert any remaining masters programs to doctoral by 2025. Also one difference is that CRNA school usually has ~9 semesters because the doctoral program runs through the summer. And most CRNA programs (baylor etc) will not allow nurses to work after the first semester because it is so intense and accelerated. My google search also found that AA'S make 95-180K nationally on average where as CRNA'S make 150-250K average because the practice and scope is larger and education is different. MDA's of course make bank, but I wanted to point out that I noticed that the pay of crna/aa's was not completely the same. CRNA's also have independent practice in 30 states, but the team model is also often used in other states! Healthcare is a team effort! Thank you for your perspective, I also thought the fellowship you did was really cool so you could practice as an icu MD as well as an anesthesia MD.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for sharing! There have definitely been changes to the CRNA programs requiring a doctoral level degree. This information you shared will definitely be helpful for individuals trying to decide what pathway to pursue.

[@jiggymangosha]

New grads CRNAs make around 140k. That google search isn’t accurate at all

[@stevenjohnson3979]

These are Doctoral program in name only. This push by crna programs is a sham. There is no additional clinical training added to crna training & it still does make them a medical doctor. This sadly only continues to blue the lines. There is no clinical training difference between doctoral crna programs and masters programs. All this will do is confuse patients and employers. Completing a doctoral program isn’t going to make crnas any more equipped to handle ASA 5 cases. All the doctoral program adds is fluff & ego support.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

The pay depends on where they work. Where CRNA/AA work together in a team model the pay is the same. CRNA's can practice in more states and are independent in rural settings where less people live/work, this is why the average salary is different.

[@jennifervarela2423]

Thank you so much for this video Dr. This was so informative

[@dzikijohnny]

AA starting salary is $200,000.

[@GameOver321]

Great video, very informative. Thank you.

[@albrestevez]

Great video. I was wondering what is the life style like on each of them? What are the schedules like? As an AA can you also work 12h three times per week and have the rest of the week off? Please answer my question 🙏.

[@rozithplays]

CRNAs do make really good money. However, when she breaks it down CRNAs and anesthesiologists have almost the same length of training. It seems that the 2 to 3 years of experience for ICU RNs comes in before schooling, unlike doing the residency after Medical school, but you add up the 4 years of BSN then the 3 years of field then 3 years of CRNA school.

[@Gam3r5t93]

Love this video! You answered all my questions :) However, I believe ALL CRNA schools are required to become 4 year Doctorate programs by 2022 (not completely sure on the year but it is within the next couple years). The title will then become “Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice” or DNAP.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for the information! Yes, I do believe that the DNAP pathway will be the only option in the coming years for CRNA training.

[@Glodwra]

@@AmandaSXiMD I’m an LPN…was going to go pursue CRNA but given the new requirements and time required, I’m just going all in for premed with the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist. Talked to my advisor and everything.

[@nvydrew]

Current ICU nurse starting CRNA school in September here; The doctorate level program requirement takes effect by 2025. Most schools except a few, have already transitioned and have been graduating Doctoral prepared students for a while. They will be 3 year programs, mostly conferring DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. The DNAP is a degree awarded at school when a university's medical school, or department of anesthesiology awards the degree. Either way it has gone from a 27 month Master's degree, to a 36 month Doctoral degree. The clinical case requirements haven't been changed, just more focus on the Research, admin, education, aspects of doctorate level nursing degrees.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

@@nvydrew No offense intended, it sounds more like an educational doctorate vs clinical (pharmacist, physcian, etc).

[@ashanloki9925]

your so pretty omg 🥺 and so smart i’m in high school and this is what i wanna be when i’m older i already love your videos they’re so informative and the most helpful video i have found on youtube ! ❤️

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for watching!

[@fatcatkitty1165]

was gonna do PA but now im doing AA....luckily there's a program in my city. great video

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RJLS-bf7he]

Any 50 yr old caa students youve come across? TIA!

[@papideltropico8778]

Great video.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thanks!

[@passion5554]

Hi Doc. Respectfully, if you are going to include the undergraduate studies of becoming an anesthesiologist. It would be appropriate to include the 4 years required for a Bachelor's of Nursing Science undergraduate degree for CRNAs. If anesthesiologist have 4 yrs undergrad + 4 yrs med school + 4 years anesthesiology residency +/- 1 yr fellowship = 12-13 years of training then a CRNA would be 4 yrs undergrad + 2/3 yrs of ICU experience + 3 yr Doctorate level CRNA degree = 9-10 years of training. I respect the anesthesiologist I work with but we should be transparent and non-biased when educating the public about education levels and not down play the education background of your colleagues. :)

[@josephgonzalez1538]

Hold up, you included your 4 years of undergrad in your 12 years of training then did not include that in CRNAs “6 years” of training. CRNAs are required to have a 4 year BSN, 2-3 years ICU then 3 years Anesthesia school which equals 9-10 years of training.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for your comment. I re-recorded this a couple of times and realized during one of the recordings that the training time was inconsistent in comparison. Thanks for pointing this out!

[@nvydrew]

I noticed this too, and in my opinion it's forgivable, especially considering Dr. Xi's polite response and acknowledgement of that difference. I must say that I totally agree the that the pathways are training are different. CRNA's do not get the same education or training as Physicians. It's not inferior, just different. Let's all get real for a second, undergrad, floor nursing, most of residency, etc, isn't really relevant to anesthesiology regardless of who provides it. There is a specialized skill set and knowledge required, but the differences in education and training can be great ways to bring different perspectives and visions to the table for better patient outcomes. Collaboration is key in my opinion.

[@stevenjohnson3979]

Why are you acting like nursing school sciences courses are of equal depth as pre med course requirements? You guys take watered down science courses for “nursing school”. Nurses dont take physics, ochem biochemistry or Biology at the B.S. level. Your bsn years do not equate to ours in undergrad. The nclex doesn’t come close to the mcat plain & simple.

[@Pinca.]

@@stevenjohnson3979 Chil…it ain’t that serious. This is why CRNA’s don’t feel worthy of their career because of people like you. Just because your classes are harder, doesn’t make smarter than a pre nursing student. Some people choose to be a CRNA because it’s more hands on as far as the RN part before going to CRNA school and after. Also they can work a little bit easier while going to school although it depends on how intense the school’s program is. The world would be better place if we supported each other in different professions instead of trying one up each other or look down on someone for not taking “harder” classes than you. Please kindly go bitch somewhere else.

[@tarekah4392]

Please stop lying to yourself . The differences exist for a reason and I'm tired of people trying to deny it because they have fragile egos. You can't have your cake and eat it too. CAA, CRNA and AA are less rigorous for a reason. When shit hits the fan, an MD anesthesiologist has the knowledge, education and training to do what they do AND more. get over yourself and maybe see a therapist for your inferiority complex.

[@adrianavaldes8792]

Very very helpful video 😍😍 thank you so much

[@bouchser000]

I would not enjoy managing 4-5 operating rooms at the same time. Sounds like management and not enough spending time with patient one on one. If I were to become an anesthesiologist I’d do fellowship so I could get alway from management.

[@jennifervarela2423]

Are you able to list out the names of those 12 accredited programs.

[@tanyaestes4642]

MD 4 years for a Bachelors in science, 4 years med school, 4 years residency totaling 12 years. CRNA usually take a 4 years for a Bachelors in nursing, 2 -3 years ICU experience which is usually a residency or training that should be incorporated in the training, 3 years for an advance nursing degree which, which is a total of 10 years. I really dislike how MDs or DOs make it seem like advance practice nurses don’t have much training. Some CRNA have 10+ years of experience before starting school. To say CRNA training itself doesn’t start until after ICU is false, that’s like me saying your training didn’t start until your residency which would only be 4 years.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for watching! I appreciate your comment and sharing the training necessary to become a CRNA. I respect my nursing colleagues and want to make sure I'm representing the profession correctly when I discuss it.

[@Hannah-xg2xq]

I agree, especially because the time spent as a critical care nurse is SO important for crna school. Nursing is its own practice and sphere of influence that overlaps with medical modules and other healthcare team members. It takes an intense skillset to be an icu nurse alone! (trying to avoid saying "just a nurse" because I hate it when I say that.. I'm a nurse too)

[@jovang736]

Well in that case let’s train nurses to become surgeons, cardiologists...and everything under the umbrella with 2-3 ICU experience and speciality training schools. Practice of medicine and practice of nursing are 2 different declines. You wouldn’t want your parents or yourself to be taken care solely by a nurse practitioner and without any oversight. This is coming from a former ICU nurse who decided to go to medical school and will be pursuing anesthesiology residency starting this summer. My 5 years of ICU experience did not prepare me for medical school curriculum and the basics medical science knowledge that I was lacking. I have walked in both shoes and I would choose my career path again if given the opportunity. CRNA and AA are important component of the anesthesia teams, but let’s not confuse the roles just to advance your own agenda.

[@nvydrew]

@@jovang736 some good points, albeit with a bit of a contentious tone. Which is probably why the CRNA vs MD debate is such a hot topic.

[@stevenjohnson3979]

For the love of gawd, ICU experience as a nurse carrying out PHYSICAN orders in the cpu is not the same experience as being the actual physician who had to decide what orders to put in & why. Nurses who have a icu exp are better then those w/o it but they are not directing the trratments of the patients they see. Everything an icu nurse does in the icu is under the guidance of a resident or attending physician. The MD knows 1st 2nd & 3rd line treatments & the knowledge of pathophysiology is several levels deeper.

[@Vince-H]

Hi! Is Anesthesiologist pronounced Anes-T or Anes-TH phonetically? I can't seem to figure that one out nor make it out when anyone pronounces it!

[@aaronnikels5706]

Th

[@OT-uo8ws]

Could you please direct me to where I can get more information for UK CAAs that would like to work in America?

[@fatmaamiraemam8280]

future AA 🤩

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Woot woot!

[@nanukharb7066]

can we do md after caa

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Absolutely! I actually know a current medical student that did exactly this!

[@nanukharb7066]

@@AmandaSXiMD which medical clg ...

[@marshellewilson4377]

What was the undergraduate major or degree for anesthesiologist Md or DO?

[@mppesce1]

I’m sure you get this question a lot and I apologize if you touched on this before, but in your experience have you noticed any differences between md/do anesthesiologists? Has the merger affected residency numbers between the two degrees? There is a ton of md vs. do stuff out there, but am really interested in your personal experience within the field of anesthesiology. Thanks for your videos they are a light at the end of a tunnel when rememorizing the citric acid cycle again for the mcat haha.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Great question! I actually do not commonly receive this question, but I'm glad you asked. I grew up in MI, which is a very osteopathic friendly state and only really noticed biases after I started training here on the East Coast. One of my best friends during residency was one of the first osteopathic grads that my program took and beside the difference in debt [a lot of DO schools *are* more expensive options], I didn't notice any clinical or medical knowledge difference. This being said, I think outside of very DO-friendly states, there is still a lack of knowledge about the equivalency between MDs/DOs. I don't think the merger between accrediting bodies has really impacted the residency numbers. Traditionally osteopathic programs still take a large majority of osteopathic grads and the same goes for allopathic programs. That being said, I do believe the merger has been beneficial for trying to reduce the stigma that still exists surrounding being an osteopathic grad. Ultimately I think it has been a positive. Overall, I don't think that being a DO in anesthesiology is different than being a DO in most other specialties [outside of primary care; I do think there is a greater acceptance of osteopathic grads just due to sheer numbers of DO grads that pursue primary care specialties]. Hope this helps and good luck to you on your journey!

[@mppesce1]

@@AmandaSXiMD It is extremely helpful! Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful response!

[@gigglegigglecentral9560]

Hi Dr. Xi! Great video! I am a medical student that is interested in anesthesiology but still having some trouble figuring out the significance of all that extra training an anesthesiologist has to go through. Besides supervision, are there things anesthesiologists (without fellowship) can do that anesthetists aren’t trained to do?

[@AmandaSXiMD]

The subtle difference is really the way that physicians are taught to assess a patient which is different from nursing assessment. They both serve an important purpose, but you can see where they diverge when it comes to really sick patients. I think it's important to explore all the paths and decide for yourself what fits with your lifestyle and personality.

[@stevenjohnson3979]

Hearts and & brains & transplants are mostly reserved for physicians. CRNA are forbidden to do TEE & cant bill for it.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

To add to Dr. Xi's comment, there is a huge difference between anesthetist vs anesthesiologist when it comes to # of hours of specific anesthesia training (and the underlying physician training which will often make them better at managing complicated patients). This is my perspective as an anesthetist student who trains with residents (among others)

[@solosforthesavior]

Hey you should do a longer study with me video but with more typing

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@renali9912]

Dr. Xi thank you for the useful information. I subscribed your chanel . Applying CRNA school , the required ICU experience is 1 years

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! I think the floor/minimum for applying to CRNA school is definitely 1 year, however, in conversation with many of the CRNAs and ICU RNs I work with, I believe many decide to work for more than a year for experience and to be a more competitive candidate. That being said, this is all secondhand knowledge, so take it with a grain of salt.

[@caitlinoloughlin8648]

@@AmandaSXiMD hi Amanda! You are correct, 1 year is the minimum for some programs, but 2-3 is the minimum requirement for other programs, and 2-3 years is the average/makes you more competitive during the application/interview process.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thanks for sharing this information! I'm sure it'll be really helpful for prospective applicants!

[@emullen93]

I really want to know what the repercussions are 10-20 years down the road when anesthesiologists are working in an anesthesia care model. I would 100% rather have some CRNA who has been at the head of the bed for thousands of hours over those 20 years than the MD circulating around pushing propofol for induction. Who is ACTUALLY providing the anesthesia care under this model lol. I’ve only shadowed in the OR’s but from the outsiders view that seems to be the case…

[@bripettis4943]

I’m not sure what I should do for college as I’m still In High school.

[@AmandaSXiMD]

You should pursue whatever major interests you in college! As time passes, you'll start to recognize what things you're passionate about and how you can learn more about those things to find a career path you enjoy. Hope this helps!

[@mustang8206]

Shadow each one

[@exc1633]

You stated 12 years of education counting undergraduate for an anesthesiologist but gave no credit for the undergraduate degree that nursing would require. The vast majority is an overstatement for sure to say CRNAs work with anesthesiologists. It sounds like the majority of your career was spent in the academic field where that is the practice. This is actually incorrect especially with improved legislation of access to care for patients.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

While that sounds correct to me, I think you should also point out that the undergrad education between pre-med and nursing are also vastly different (as is the clinical experience between residents and CRNA's)

[@geetikaraghavaraju6957]

can you apply to aa school with a bsn

[@AmandaSXiMD]

You'll have to check specific AA schools' requirements - generally they look for pre-medical courses. As long as your BSN includes these pre-medical courses, the actual major shouldn't matter [and having a nursing background may be an asset in AA school!]. Hope this helps.

[@jessicaalmondjoy7706]

Why perpetuate public perception that MDs get so much more schooling than CRNAs? I do love how you talk about all of your anesthesia colleagues in such a respectful manner, but the misrepresentation is still present. Consider a general MD track: undergraduate is generally not related to the practice of medicine, so I wouldn't include that in physician schooling personally; then 4 years of med school, 3 years of residency, 1 year of fellowship if desired = 7-8 years of medical schooling and training. For a general CRNA track: 4 years of nursing school, 2-3 years of ICU experience, and 3 years of DNP CNRA school = 9-10 years of nursing schooling and training. Yes, the practice of medicine and practice of nursing is different, therefore our base knowledge differs. But the practice of anesthesiology is the same and we all get board certified to practice anesthesia and have about 3 years of anesthesia-specific education and training. Obviously MDs get paid more and have more liability - rightfully so, what with the cost of medical school - but I don't think CRNA-independent practice should be constantly seen as lesser or unsafe for patients. Numerous studies confirm there no difference in patient outcomes in cases when performed by CRNA vs. and MD anesthesiologist, no matter how sick the patient.

[@BoogieDownProduction]

Residents do 60-80 hrs of training per week for years, after becoming a physician - not comparable to CRNA training. And thats ignoring the vast difference in undergrad training as well. They're not comparable.

[@tarekah4392]

Please stop lying to yourself. The differences exist for a reason and I'm tired of people trying to deny it because they have fragile egos. You can't have your cake and eat it too. CAA, CRNA and AA are less rigorous for a reason. When shit hits the fan, an MD anesthesiologist has the knowledge, education and training to do what they do AND more. get over yourself and maybe see a therapist for your inferiority complex.

[@mustang8206]

You can't just not count a bachelor's degree because you don't like that in undergrad pre med students are taught general science. You need a deep understanding of general biology to be able to build upon later. This is why medical students are able to learn more in depth medicine. Also during undergrad students must get clinical and research experience

[@Anonymous-so1ho]

Okay but if we're throwing out all 4 years of the physician's undergrad because it's not related I think we can safely throw out much of the nurse's undergrad as well. Considering everyone says the BS in BSN stands for... well, you know, and that anyone with an RN license (yes, even those with associates degrees) is well qualified to be an ICU nurse, I think we can take 2 years off of your CRNA figure right off the bat. Considering that by throwing out the entire premed undergrad you've thrown out a lot of credit hours belonging to things that nurses must take or might take like A&P, gen chem, biology, statistics, micro, psych, sociology + some important things that nurses don't generally take like physics, ochem, biochem, calc; I think it's only fair to take away at least another year from the nurses undergrad, if not all of it. Then what we are really comparing is a few years of ICU experience + 3 years of NA school (and maybe 1 year of undergrad if you count the nursing clinicals + pathophysiology, pharm), vs 4 years of med school and 4 more of residency... I agree it isn't a *massive* gap, but there is a very clear winner when it comes to academic and professional rigor.

[@momsspaghetti8093]

Why do you always try to make it seem like CRNAs and anesthesiologists are equal? I’m a nursing student aiming to do CRNA but I can’t stand when people like you make it seem like CRNAs are equal to anesthesiologists. CRNAs might have less knowledge about a certain physiologic process than an actual anesthesiologist, and I am okay with that. I don’t mind knowing less than the physician, because I am not one and I didn’t go to medical school. I am content with the knowledge I have and if I have any questions, I can always ask the anesthesiologist for advice. I definitely wouldn’t dare to compare myself with an anesthesiologist. I know my limits. So for the love of God, stop comparing both.

[@mariaestherrivas4988]

The Anesthesiologist is usually the boss of the CRNA in my experience and they treat the sickest patients and the most critical ones

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Anesthesiologists definitely care for a lot of sick patients!

[@nvydrew]

This is true in a team based model, but not always the case. CRNA's can practice independent of physician supervision in many settings. That being said, I personally would prefer team based collaboration between nursing and medicine, in ALL critically ill and complex patients.

[@jessicaalmondjoy7706]

This is a misconception. Physician anesthesiologists are not the boss of CRNAs - they have no bearing over the CRNAs pay, schedule, job status, and they have no firing or hiring capabilities over CRNAs. If working in team-based model hospital, the CRNA is employed by the RN department of the hospital and hired by the chief CRNA. Physician anesthesiologists are under the MD side of the hospital hierarchy, hired by different staff heads. They work together in the anesthesiology department, but ultimately are under different management.

[@stevenjohnson3979]

Anesthesiologist: physican first (broad net of training all over hospital in ICU) & anesthesia 2nd. Nurses dont have any experience diagnosing and managing pts with multiple cormobidities. CRNA: nurse 1st & anesthesia delivery second. The crna is not going to know why the surgeon wants to run test x y z before doing a surgery or why the cardiologist orderes an echo vs TEE.

[@jessicaalmondjoy7706]

Lol, a CRNA won't know that? Hmm, just like how an RN just randomly takes their pt to CT or MRI, randomly draws labs and blood gases, randomly gives blood and fluid and meds without knowing anything about why anything is being done. Interesting..... That's why CRNA practice as ICU RNs first - if they really didn't know what was going on, the hospital would be pandemonium. Rethink things buddy.

[@tomitomi7214]

Nonsense

[@nicoleanjelica7702]

This is hilarious and I’d be willing to bet nurses hate working with you. 🤣

[@Anonymous-so1ho]

What... what is it you think nurses do exactly? Sit around and drool into an emesis basin until a physician bursts into the room and saves the day?

[@momsspaghetti8093]

Why are you under every video hating on CRNAs? 🤣🤣 are you that insecure? Lmaoo

[@HRU-ou3vi]

Your analysis on nursing is so off

[@AmandaSXiMD]

Thank you for watching! I have a lot of respect for my nursing colleagues and would love to hear how I can do a better job representing the profession!

[@Glodwra]

@@AmandaSXiMD As a nurse I found it pretty spot on. I’m actually headed back to school for premed ! Either AA or the med school if my MCAT can swing it !

[@mcbaggins12]

@@AmandaSXiMD you don’t need to. They want you to spout off propaganda. Sounds like they are one of those crnas who think they are a doctor. You spoke nothing but facts

[@nvydrew]

I think her tone is definitely one or respect and collaboration. I'm sure if a nurse was tasked with providing an analysis of being a physician (while not being one themselves) then there would be many doctors who would say the same thing as you.

[@tarekah4392]

Please stop lying to yourself. The differences exist for a reason and I'm tired of people trying to deny it because they have fragile egos. You can't have your cake and eat it too. CAA, CRNA and AA are less rigorous for a reason. When shit hits the fan, an MD anesthesiologist has the knowledge, education and training to do what they do AND more. get over yourself and maybe see a therapist for your inferiority complex.