I know they make big bucks, but is it because of a really high learning curve? Obviously malpractice insurance would be rather high. What besides knowledge of gasses and human thresholds are they required to be proficient in?
Anybody know the academic differences between an anesthesiologist and a nurse anesthitist? I’ve been to the AANA site, it helped, but I still have questions.
I don’t think the learning curve is any higher than other medical specialties. A CRNA is a nurse with a masters degree in anesthesia and works under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist, usually doing the busy work to free up the MD/DO. The anesthesiologist is legally responsible for any CRNA mishaps. All the CRNAs I know are very good at putting people to sleep and making sure they wake up when it’s all over. The anesthesiologist can focus on the more unstable patient requiring more intensive care. Both must be proficient in elective and emergency airway placement, pharmacology, epidural line placement, hemodynamics and ventilation. They make a quarter to a third the salary of their physician counterparts (still good $), but you the patient gets billed the same. The CRNAs I know are employees of an anesthesia group, and the group pays their insurance premiums. They also work in pain clinics, but again under the direct supervision of a doctor.
How many years of schooling required?
[WAG]A BS in nursing is four to five years plus one to two years post grad and internship.[/WAG] I go back to work Tuesday and I’ll ask one for you.
Thanks!
Depends on your location. For an anesthesiologist in Canada, generally you’re looking at:
4 years undergrad
4 years medical school
5 years residency
-Apoptosis