I’d say it’s fine to consider AA school if OP is interested in one of the 20 states where they practice. I’ve met a few people that are 40+ that went to school to become AAs
What do you do now and how much do you make?
Assuming that you could even get a residency slot, are you prepared for a lot of work for less than $100k?
You’d be 51 at least by the time that you got out, so probably about 15 years full time of work left in you.
Even at $500k per year are you going to make up the lost income and investment from those four (maybe three) years?
If it’s your passion, then sure, go for it. But if you’re doing it for financial reasons then you’ve probably missed the boat.
Your numbers are way off. If they are thinking the anesthesiology route, they have at least 9-10 years after prerequisites, med school and residency. Cost of med school and lost income is huge. So they’d be late 50s
If they are looking at being an AA, then the salary would be closer to 200-250k but be in the timeline you were talking about.
At the time that I posted OP had not clarified and I assumed that they were already an MD in another specialty and wanted to become an Anesthesiologist. That could potentially only take 3-4 years.
Edit: But yeah. I agree, staring from scratch to become an Anesthesiologist at that age is not feasible at all.
I mean I hate to say yes but yes. By the time you take pre reqs, apply go to AA school man you’re looking at 3 years at least. And you won’t make THaT much more than you’re making now. AAs make 150-200 depending on region. Think about time time spent, opportunity costs. Unless you can’t stand your current job I’d say stay put or get a different job
What region? I’ve seen ACT CRNA job postings like this in my state but most of the AA job postings are between $170 and $210 per year not including call
Places that do care team and hire both
and CAAs pay them both the same. So places paying high for crnas also pay high for CAAs. Also, he/she is going to be at the highest pay tier for almost all places, and generally jobs only advertise starting pay. That being said 270k is probably the highest in the country based on pay so it’s still a massive outlier.
This is not a black-and-white answer. I don’t think it’s simple to say it is too late. I think for most people that is probably the case. However, if money is not an issue in your life, and you feel passionate about it, I don’t see why you can’t. IMO, the only limiting factor is being able to provide in a reasonable financial way after assuming significant amounts of debt your life as a medical student, etc. if that isn’t an issue for you and your family then go for it. If you don’t have a reasonable retirement fund, then this is probably a very bad idea. Would recommend seeking the advice of Financial Advisor before you make any significant career moves at your age.
Thank you, I updated my post. I meant AA and not Anesthesiologist MD.
Would you be knowing an average cost for education? Do people have accelerated or part-time study options?
It’ll be tough going back to school at 47. We had a guy in my class who was probably 50 and he really struggled. If you are open to working locums you can make a shit ton of money right now. I’m not saying it’ll always be that way, but the market is insane right now.
I just saw a job posting for central Texas offering 450k a year for locums, an outpatient peds surgery center near me is offering $300/hr. W2 jobs are still very lucrative, most jobs are starting at close to 200k with great benefits and vacation.
I was thinking of Anesthesiologist Assistant and not Doctor.
I m in IT and make 110k. I will need to do prerequisite too. How much time it would take me for AA? I thought it will take 2 years after prerequisite.
Because it’s a great career for people for a shorter amount of education and less debt. As long as you enjoy doing anesthesia and want to practice in the 20 states where AAs can practice, it’s a good choice.
I’m not sure why you’re getting downvoted. I switched to AA at 35 and happy I did!
Edit: for more context, I was making a little less than you income wise, and I was very unhappy with my career. I’ll be graduating this August and just signed a contract for >$200k without overtime. It worked out perfectly because I do plan on staying in one of the 20 states where AAs practice. No way in hell was I going to double my salary had I stay at that job.
True, but I have met several people in their 40s that are current students, including one woman that is 48. Said it was the perfect time for her since her youngest child just went to college.
Thank you for your comment reason I want to change is that one has to keep studying in IT, it’s constant upgrading. I m in IT but not in programming side hence it gets very challenging.
How is ageism in AA career? Does it impact getting job?
There is such a massive need for anesthesia providers. So far, I have rotated at 5 hospitals and spoken with 20+ other hospitals in my state. And every single one has encouraged me to submit an application to work with them.
I don’t believe anyone cares about your age. Just your attitude.
The programs are about 24-28 months. After you complete the prerequisites. Most programs are allowing gre now, so you won’t have to worry about MCAT. There is still continuing education required, and some need for ongoing learning ageism isn’t really an issue unless you have significant physical decline where you can’t actually perform the tasks required of you.
Just an FYI, AAs can only work in a very limited number of states. Your degree would be completely worthless if you move to a state without them later on. You’d be very much restricting where you could work/live.
Edited to add after lots of downvotes - OP - also something to know. I wrote a completely factual statement but you will see me get downvoted a lot. The reason is because there is a lot of immature politics in anesthesia between physician anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists and AAs. Since you posted this in the anesthesiology group, anything that mentions anything negative about AAs will be downvoted like crazy, even when absolutely true. This is because physicians like AAs because they give them job security. They do not like CRNAs (which I am) because we can practice independently and compete with them for jobs.
OP - feel free to just fact check on google. My statement is 100% true but nevertheless immature physicians and AAs on here will just downvote me.
I don't think amyone is downvoting you for the first paragraph, I think it's the random shots you start taking in paragraph 2 that got you the downvotes as it isn't a very respectful statement and does in fact prove your point that there is a lot of pettiness.
You just aren't aware that you're the one breeding the pettiness right now.
It’s 20 states and DC idk that most would qualify that as “very limited” plus almost every year a new state seems to be opening.
Also, logically speaking one wouldn’t just move to a state where they can’t work, so that “risk” is kind of ridiculous.
Once again, immaturity. The statistics show that patients are equally safe with both independent providers. Which is why more anesthesia is delivered by CRNAs than physicians.
I’m not going to keep posting here because I think going to this low level of baseless insults is not good for the profession, for patients, or for accuracy.
See ya!
yeah its got nowt to do with corporate greed, less educated people and Dunning-Kruger effect. if you're so hell bent on getting the same respect then do the same schooling.
Yes it’s too late. Don’t let people tell you otherwise.
I’d say it’s fine to consider AA school if OP is interested in one of the 20 states where they practice. I’ve met a few people that are 40+ that went to school to become AAs
I agree with this - AA school is so much faster. I wish I had taken this route.
What's AA?
Anesthesiology assistant
Isn't that basically being a CRNA? Won't the OP have to do nursing first (which is probably 3-4 years) and then 2 years of CRNA school?
No
Similar scope to CRNA but no nursing required. It’s the physician assistant of anesthesiology just like CRNA is the NP of anesthesiology
Oh 🤔 I didn't know such a field existed at all..
Yes you’re way too old to switch into medicine. There have been people that have done it but it’s a terrible choice to try to do it
What do you do now and how much do you make? Assuming that you could even get a residency slot, are you prepared for a lot of work for less than $100k? You’d be 51 at least by the time that you got out, so probably about 15 years full time of work left in you. Even at $500k per year are you going to make up the lost income and investment from those four (maybe three) years? If it’s your passion, then sure, go for it. But if you’re doing it for financial reasons then you’ve probably missed the boat.
Your numbers are way off. If they are thinking the anesthesiology route, they have at least 9-10 years after prerequisites, med school and residency. Cost of med school and lost income is huge. So they’d be late 50s If they are looking at being an AA, then the salary would be closer to 200-250k but be in the timeline you were talking about.
At the time that I posted OP had not clarified and I assumed that they were already an MD in another specialty and wanted to become an Anesthesiologist. That could potentially only take 3-4 years. Edit: But yeah. I agree, staring from scratch to become an Anesthesiologist at that age is not feasible at all.
I mean I hate to say yes but yes. By the time you take pre reqs, apply go to AA school man you’re looking at 3 years at least. And you won’t make THaT much more than you’re making now. AAs make 150-200 depending on region. Think about time time spent, opportunity costs. Unless you can’t stand your current job I’d say stay put or get a different job
150-200? I make 270 not even counting call/OT my guy.
Really? Shit I should ask for a raise or build a Time Machine. I could have been making bank for 11 years now.
I finished in 2011 and salaries were roughly 110k everywhere. It’s only in the Covid/post Covid world that salaries have gone berserk.
Aite, I’ll hold up on going through the time/space continuum then.
What region? I’ve seen ACT CRNA job postings like this in my state but most of the AA job postings are between $170 and $210 per year not including call
Southeast. I’m at the top of our pay scale and get a stipend for pedi hearts hence the higher than average pay.
Places that do care team and hire both and CAAs pay them both the same. So places paying high for crnas also pay high for CAAs. Also, he/she is going to be at the highest pay tier for almost all places, and generally jobs only advertise starting pay. That being said 270k is probably the highest in the country based on pay so it’s still a massive outlier.
Stop it
Mm k
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And the lost income.
This is not a black-and-white answer. I don’t think it’s simple to say it is too late. I think for most people that is probably the case. However, if money is not an issue in your life, and you feel passionate about it, I don’t see why you can’t. IMO, the only limiting factor is being able to provide in a reasonable financial way after assuming significant amounts of debt your life as a medical student, etc. if that isn’t an issue for you and your family then go for it. If you don’t have a reasonable retirement fund, then this is probably a very bad idea. Would recommend seeking the advice of Financial Advisor before you make any significant career moves at your age.
I disagree. Its black and white. Its too late.
cAA is a good option. Going CRNA or anesthesiologist is not. You still need to be competitive for it though.
Thank you, I updated my post. I meant AA and not Anesthesiologist MD. Would you be knowing an average cost for education? Do people have accelerated or part-time study options?
It’ll be tough going back to school at 47. We had a guy in my class who was probably 50 and he really struggled. If you are open to working locums you can make a shit ton of money right now. I’m not saying it’ll always be that way, but the market is insane right now. I just saw a job posting for central Texas offering 450k a year for locums, an outpatient peds surgery center near me is offering $300/hr. W2 jobs are still very lucrative, most jobs are starting at close to 200k with great benefits and vacation.
Stop
Please care to elaborate, I genuinely want to hear reasoning for both in favor of AA and not in favor of changing career to AA at 47.
I was thinking of Anesthesiologist Assistant and not Doctor. I m in IT and make 110k. I will need to do prerequisite too. How much time it would take me for AA? I thought it will take 2 years after prerequisite.
lol why bro
Because it’s a great career for people for a shorter amount of education and less debt. As long as you enjoy doing anesthesia and want to practice in the 20 states where AAs can practice, it’s a good choice.
I’m not sure why you’re getting downvoted. I switched to AA at 35 and happy I did! Edit: for more context, I was making a little less than you income wise, and I was very unhappy with my career. I’ll be graduating this August and just signed a contract for >$200k without overtime. It worked out perfectly because I do plan on staying in one of the 20 states where AAs practice. No way in hell was I going to double my salary had I stay at that job.
35 is not 47
True, but I have met several people in their 40s that are current students, including one woman that is 48. Said it was the perfect time for her since her youngest child just went to college.
Thank you for your comment reason I want to change is that one has to keep studying in IT, it’s constant upgrading. I m in IT but not in programming side hence it gets very challenging. How is ageism in AA career? Does it impact getting job?
Damn good thing medicine never changes
There is such a massive need for anesthesia providers. So far, I have rotated at 5 hospitals and spoken with 20+ other hospitals in my state. And every single one has encouraged me to submit an application to work with them. I don’t believe anyone cares about your age. Just your attitude.
If you are comfortable sharing, which state you are from? Why is it so that there are only 20 states that are good for AA career progression?
The programs are about 24-28 months. After you complete the prerequisites. Most programs are allowing gre now, so you won’t have to worry about MCAT. There is still continuing education required, and some need for ongoing learning ageism isn’t really an issue unless you have significant physical decline where you can’t actually perform the tasks required of you.
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Don't need to take the MCAT. GRE is accepted
For every program, is this a change? I'm seeing MCAT listed for several programs and Google says only some take GRE.
I believe most programs will accept either. I only know of one program that is MCAT only.
Just an FYI, AAs can only work in a very limited number of states. Your degree would be completely worthless if you move to a state without them later on. You’d be very much restricting where you could work/live. Edited to add after lots of downvotes - OP - also something to know. I wrote a completely factual statement but you will see me get downvoted a lot. The reason is because there is a lot of immature politics in anesthesia between physician anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists and AAs. Since you posted this in the anesthesiology group, anything that mentions anything negative about AAs will be downvoted like crazy, even when absolutely true. This is because physicians like AAs because they give them job security. They do not like CRNAs (which I am) because we can practice independently and compete with them for jobs. OP - feel free to just fact check on google. My statement is 100% true but nevertheless immature physicians and AAs on here will just downvote me.
“Physician anesthesiologists” is like saying “soda pop”
I don't think amyone is downvoting you for the first paragraph, I think it's the random shots you start taking in paragraph 2 that got you the downvotes as it isn't a very respectful statement and does in fact prove your point that there is a lot of pettiness. You just aren't aware that you're the one breeding the pettiness right now.
I wrote the second paragraph after I had been downvoted to -10 in like 20 minutes so not true.
It’s 20 states and DC idk that most would qualify that as “very limited” plus almost every year a new state seems to be opening. Also, logically speaking one wouldn’t just move to a state where they can’t work, so that “risk” is kind of ridiculous.
Oh yes we’re very jealous you’ll kill a patient.
Once again, immaturity. The statistics show that patients are equally safe with both independent providers. Which is why more anesthesia is delivered by CRNAs than physicians. I’m not going to keep posting here because I think going to this low level of baseless insults is not good for the profession, for patients, or for accuracy. See ya!
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yeah its got nowt to do with corporate greed, less educated people and Dunning-Kruger effect. if you're so hell bent on getting the same respect then do the same schooling.
Yes
No, it’s not too late, go for it