Educational Differences between the
Anesthesiologist Assistant
(AA)
and
Nurse Anesthetist
(NA)
A
Anesthesiologist
Assistant
Program's
Who's
Making
the Grade?
O
P
The AAAA states that, “Although many applicants are from allied health backgrounds such as respiratory therapy and emergency medical technology, and have many years of clinical experience, a clinical background is not an absolute requirement if academic background is of sufficient course content and quality.” And that, “Nurses who have met the prerequisites may be admitted to AA programs.” The AA applicant must then take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the (GRE).
The AANA describes nurse anesthetist training programs as ranging from 24-36 months, depending upon university requirements, and offering a Master’s of Nursing degree. The average student nurse anesthetist works at least 1,694 clinical hours and administers more than 790 anesthetics. CRNAs must be recertified every two years, which includes meeting practice requirements and obtaining a minimum of 40 continuing education credits.
After completion of an accredited nurse anesthetist program, the AANA states that, “…the student must pass the Council for Certification of Nurse Anesthetists certification (CCNA) exam…” and that, “…NA’s are required to take forty hours of approved Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) every two years in order to recertify.” Upon completion of an accredited Anesthesiologist Assistant program, the AAAA states that, “the student may become certified by passing the National Commission for the Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) exam and that, “…AA’s are required to complete 40 hours of CME every two years and must take the Continuing Demonstration of Quality Exam every six.”
The AANA states that, “The first organized program in nurse anesthesia education was offered in 1909. As of July 1, 2005 there are 95 nurse anesthesia programs with more than 1,100 clinical sites in the United States and Puerto Rico. These programs are affiliated with or operated by the school of nursing or health sciences department of a university.”
In June of 2006, Nova Southeastern University became the first educational institution in Florida to begin the education of the much anticipated Anesthesiologist Assistant. Currently there are four Universities which offer the AA Program throughout the Country which include: Nova Southeastern University in Fort-Lauderdale-Davie, Florida; Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio; South University in Savannah, Georgia. For direct links to these AA programs visit
www.AnesthesiologistAssistant.com
In conclusion, Anesthesiologist Assistants and Nurse Anesthetists are highly skilled, knowledgeable, Master’s level trained members of the anesthesia care team, whom with their impeccable safety records work side by side with Anesthesiologists. According to Mike Nichols, Assistant Program Director for the Nova AA Program and President-Elect of the AAAA, “…although AAs and CRNAs differ in their educational background, in the context of the Anesthesia Care Team, they are merely convergent pathways to the same clinical job.” The high quality care of these anesthetists is driven by compassion and guided by science, to provide the best and safest patient care. Job opportunities for both types of anesthesia providers are on the rise as the migration of surgery to the outpatient setting is being realized and hospitals are focusing more closely on the increasing demand for the delivery of quality anesthesia in the health care industry. The Anesthesiologist Assistant and Nurse Anesthetist will continue to work as members of the anesthesia care team to provide these much needed anesthesia care services.
Christopher Green, R.N. B. A. is president of AnestaWeb, Inc. For more information regading the anesthesiologist assistant program Visit: www.AnesthesiaAsistant.com or www.AAMessageBoard.com for online answers to questions. AnestaWeb also offers
www.AnesthesiaDirectory.com which lists all of the Anesthesiology programs in the Country.
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