Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/10/2007

Question
I have always been interested in science and when i was young i wanted to be a doctor... I did well in highschool and my college grades are great. However, I am in a community college that offered a nursing degree and the last year i have been contemplating about being an anesthesiologist. Im not sure if i should stay in the program, earn my bachelors in nursing and then swith over to an anesthetics program or if i should just try and get into a university. With the community college im garaunteed to enter a university but trying to talk to a counselor is like trying to talk to a brick wall....they dont get it. Im hoping you, having the experience in the field, can tell me the right path to achieving my goal in anesthetics. Thank you for your time and help.  

Answer
Having a BSN will allow you to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) which allows you to do anesthesia under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. If you want to pursue a career as a physician anesthesiologist you will need to complete 4 yrs of college, 4 of medical school and 4 of anesthesia residency. The choice is yours .Both paths lead to anesthesia, the difference is in time, knowledge, compensation and independence.

I hope this answers your question,

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston