What is CRNA?

[prettymean]

Hello, I have some questions about CRNA. What is it and in what capacity does it function? What is the average salary for a CRNA?

Thanks in advance.

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[meandragonbrett]

A CRNA is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. CRNAs are Advanced Practice Nurses who have a BSN, have completed at least 1 year in a critical care setting (Generally, two years is average), and have completed 24-36 months of graduate training in the art and the science of providing anesthesia services. CRNAs are able to function in any role that an anesthesiologist can i.e. hospitals, Ambulatory surgery centers, dental settings, and officed based surgery. CRNAs ARE competent anesthesia providers despite what some people believe. Generally CRNAs work in conjuction with anesthesiologists (The anesthesia team approach) to provide excellent patient care. CRNAs can also practice independently of anesthesiologists per hospital\state policy. CRNA salaries vary depending on location, anesthesia group composition, level of experience, etc. An average amount is 100K\year but it can reach as high as 200-250K. If you have anymore questions post it here on the board, or PM me!

Have a good day
www.aana.com
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BTW- I am neither Pro-CRNA or Pro-MDA..I am Pro-Team Approach to anesthesia care.

 

[prettymean]

Thanks Brett. Do you know if an interview is required for entry into CRNA program?

 

[meandragonbrett]

Prettymean,
Yes an interview is required. It's a very intense interview from what I've heard. They ask many clinical questions many involve medications (mostly Vasoactive drugs). The interview can make or break you. It's very tough to get into CRNA school. You should take classes above and beyond what is required of you in nursing school. You need to be able to show the admissions people that you can handle the upper level sciences that is required of you in CRNA school. At most programs, you'll take: Biochemistry, physics, lots of chemistry, Advanced pathophysiology ( i.e. a class on each system including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, OB, etc.) And you'll also take lots of Advanced Pharmacology. People who use the argument that all CRNAs are incompetent because they did not receive the classes that med students take are wrong. At MOST not all but most CRNA schools, the SRNA will take the pharmacology, chemistry, pathophysiology, etc. with medical students. If you have anymore questions let me know.

 

[painres]

CRNAs are a valuable part of the anesthesia team, but they most certainly can NOT do everything an anesthesiologist can do. When was the last time a nurse ran the CCU? or a pain clinic? Be carefull who you listen to on here, and always do your own research.

 

[emt30119]

Do you have some documentation or other proof that CRNA's are not allowed or capable to run a CCU or pain clinic?

 

[painres]

The next time a CRNA matches into a pain fellowship for MDs/DOs you let me know.

 

[emt30119]

It did not take long to find a pain clinic headed by a CRNA. I search yahoo for CRNA and Pain Clinic and the first result was Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in South Glasgow Mt.
Pain Management Services Administrator is:
Thomas Schults CRNA

 

[painres]

Here is a quote from the SPPA, "HCFA has issued a final regulation that will allow nurse anesthetists to practice independently without physician supervision where state law permits. Currently twenty-nine states allow nurse anesthetists to practice independently. This rule was published in the January 18th Federal Register.

What does this change mean for the specialty of pain management? One must surmise that there will be an increase in pain management procedures being provided by independent nurse anesthetist, especially in rural areas that are not served by physicians trained in neural blockade. Whether this is good or bad for the specialty remains to be seen.

The independent practice of nurse anesthetists in the provision of conscious sedation during interventional pain management procedures may present opportunities for the pain management specialist to improve the quality of care and comfort for the patient and allow the pain management physician to focus solely on the procedure without the distraction of patient monitoring. Other opportunities include expansion of the anesthesia care team model to allow for the physician to perform the evaluation of the patient in pain while the nurse anesthetist performs basic nerve block procedures."

So as of January 18th you are correct, CRNAs can now practice pain management independently in 29 states. You were absolutey right. So how many did you find that ran the ICU units? And I mean write the medical orders, not administrators? These are physicians board certified in critical care. How many reputable hospitals have CRNAs as there sole pain management providers without the supervision of a physician? Well, we know that at all hospitals in 21 states you cant, but since you like looking up info so much I wonder about MGH, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, UCSF, or for that manner any state school? Let me know what you find with your research. Why do you want to be able to do everything a physician can without being a physician? Go to medical school for four years, and do a four years residency. Otherwise you will never be able to, simple as that.

 

[Brill]

At the hospital I work at (a midsize suburban hospital in Houston) CRNA's are not allowed to work independently per hospital policy even though state law allows it. It's my understanding that it is this way at many places.