Anesthesiologist Assistant School versus MD School

[AAhopeful86]

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I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the AA profession. I am considering applying this upcoming cycle. I am also considering medical school. I am a non-traditional student who just got married and will be starting a family soon (baby on the way) - I am 27. Part of me feels that I can get through the 4 years - will be 32 when finished and at least 36-37 when done with residency if anything went to plan. I could be 29-30 as an AA-C making 120k starting out and moving up to 160-170k after working as one for a few years. This path gives up autonomy but gives work-life balance (still a nice living - my wife makes good money too). The main question is will I be content at 40. It is all a balance. I could have a very comfortable, less stressful life (one more conducive to spending time with family as an AA or I could have the ability to make my family even more comfortable by earning 2x the salary as a physician and allowing myself the opportunity to reach my pinnacle - intellectually.

I have a great GPA and an MCAT score of 24 without study. If I do medical school, then I will study for a few months and get that score up, but a 24 should suffice for AA school with my gpa.

What do you guys think:

Is AA school a good gig?

What other factors am I missing before I make this decision?

 

[prado]

You actually left out a huge piece of information.

How do you know you'll be happy doing anesthesiology? You didn't mention it once. The only things you referred to were lifestyle, money, and autonomy. There are probably a lot of med students, residents, and attendings that could not even imagine doing gas. How do you know you'll be satisfied?

 

[AAhopeful86]

You actually left out a huge piece of information.

How do you know you'll be happy doing anesthesiology? You didn't mention it once. The only things you referred to were lifestyle, money, and autonomy. There are probably a lot of med students, residents, and attendings that could not even imagine doing gas. How do you know you'll be satisfied?

I've shadowed in the OR for a significant amount of time.

 

[sinombre]

If you can honestly live without the autonomy, avoid medical school.

 

[Planes2Doc]

It's great money and there are a lot of perks. Unlike CRNAs though, they are not licensed in all states, like here in Illinois.

I know people in medical school who would have gone the RN route had they been guaranteed a job as a CRNA in the future.

 

[Planes2Doc]

If you can honestly live without the autonomy, avoid medical school.

Oh.

My.

God.

YES! 👍 👍 👍

 

[applemac123]

If you can honestly live without the autonomy, avoid medical school.

wow, an actual insightful post from you? i agree with this 100%!

 

[sinombre]

wow, an actual insightful post from you? i agree with this 100%!

lol... I agree with this 100% as well.

 

[circulus vitios]

AA can only practice in 18 states, just so you know. Maybe think about doing CRNA. It's a longer route but you would have better employments options both as a nurse and as a CRNA.

 

[Planes2Doc]

AA can only practice in 18 states, just so you know. Maybe think about doing CRNA. It's a longer route but you would have better employments options both as a nurse and as a CRNA.

If you get an RN, there is no guarantee you will be accepted into a CRNA program. They are very competitive. Unless you are extremely passionate about anesthesia, I'm guessing people are doing AA and CRNA degrees for the money. Therefore, if you get an RN degree but can't get into a CRNA program, you will make a fraction of what a CRNA makes. At least with AA school, you are directly applying into it. The state licensing issue sucks though.

 

[circulus vitios]

If you get an RN, there is no guarantee you will be accepted into a CRNA program. They are very competitive. Unless you are extremely passionate about anesthesia, I'm guessing people are doing AA and CRNA degrees for the money. Therefore, if you get an RN degree but can't get into a CRNA program, you will make a fraction of what a CRNA makes. At least with AA school, you are directly applying into it. The state licensing issue sucks though.

I remember reading CRNA requirements are more or less med school lite. A 3.6 GPA, 80th percentile on the general GRE plus 2-3 years of ICU/NICU work experience are very competitive. There is no guarantee for CRNA admission but at least you'll be making $25/hour or whatever a BSN commands in the ICU/NICU.

 

[Medstart108]

I'm sure he had a reason to choose AA over nurse anesthetist.

 

[bollywoodlover]

crna isn't as competitive as some people make it seem. I know someone that got c's in nursing school and b's in undergrad and got into a crna doctorate program just recently. Most less competitive applicants will just take one or two years to work in the ICU or something and they'll be golden. clinical experience really gives you an edge over grades when you are applying to a crna program.

 

[TangoDown]

I remember reading CRNA requirements are more or less med school lite. A 3.6 GPA, 80th percentile on the general GRE plus 2-3 years of ICU/NICU work experience are very competitive. There is no guarantee for CRNA admission but at least you'll be making $25/hour or whatever a BSN commands in the ICU/NICU.

$25/hour is below the national average I believe. The salary varies greatly, but if you can snag a job in an ICU in a place like the Bay Area, you can pull in 6 figures. Of course, you need to get a job first, and the job situation for new graduates is absolutely horrendous in most of the country.

 

[burbbs]

This is easy...do you want to be an anesthesiology assistant? Or do you want to BE the ANESTHESIOLOGIST.

 

[FCMike11]

I remember reading CRNA requirements are more or less med school lite. A 3.6 GPA, 80th percentile on the general GRE plus 2-3 years of ICU/NICU work experience are very competitive. There is no guarantee for CRNA admission but at least you'll be making $25/hour or whatever a BSN commands in the ICU/NICU.

Competitive statistics, and the interviews are not a "get to know you/how would you fit in here". They expect you to be VERY knowledgeable in regards to critical care, giving you many scenarios with very strict answers they are looking for (I've had 2 friends apply and matriculate).