Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Patients trust that their healthcare providers are sending them to the best surgeon possible when the need arrives, but that’s not always the case. Too often, patients aren’t receiving the best match when surgery is required due to outdated methods but times are changing. Sanjay Prasad, MD, CACS, started the company SurgiQuality to better track surgeon results and better identify quality of care....

Although you never go into a patient’s room with the expectation that anything will go wrong, sometimes it does. It’s important for nurses to be prepared in the event that a lawsuit is ever filed against you. Today we’ve invited attorney Nick Dowgul to the show to tell us more about the legal process and what can happen to your nursing license after a lawsuit. There’s a lot to learn and we want to...

We’ve stressed the importance of having CRNAs in clinical leadership positions as well as local government positions, but it’s equally valuable to have our peers in academic leadership roles as well. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA, back onto the show to talk about her new position as a department chair at the Medical University of South Carolina. In the first few months...

Money drives many of the decisions industries have to make and healthcare is no exception. As things become more expensive and less efficient, people are looking for ways to improve the quality and cost of care. Ian Hewer, PhD, CRNA, is an assistant professor at Western Carolina University and has turned much of his focus to healthcare economics and QZ team billing. Today he’ll tell us more about...

Research is crucial to pushing the CRNA profession forward and that’s something that the AANA Foundation has dedicated its efforts to. To help us understand why so many resources are being poured into research and what we’re learning about anesthesia, AANA Foundation CEO Lorraine Jordan, PhD, CRNA, CAE, FAAN, joins the show. She shares the mission behind the foundation and gives us her perspective...

You won’t find Anne Penland’s name mentioned very often in the early history books about nursing, but this North Carolina nurse anesthetist served our country in some of the toughest environments. Our historical series continues with a spotlight on Penland and all of the incredible detail she provided on the war and early 20th-century anesthesia thanks to a well-written diary. We’re joined by our...

There’s no doubt that anesthesia is a big business but not every CRNA pays attention to that side of the profession. It might not be something you’re immediately interested in, but it’s important to help you understand your true value as a CRNA. Today we’re going to ask Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA, the CEO of YPS Anesthesia, about a number of important topics involving the business side of anesth...

Technology has been changing the healthcare industry for many years now but we’ve reached a point where computers have gone from outside the body to inside the body. Computerized surgical implants are being utilized in many different capacities to provide better care for patients, and that’s presenting some unique challenges for CRNAs. Today we talk with Adam Flowe, CRNA, who is the Chief Nurse An...

Long-term relationships, whether they be personal or professional, have been under tremendous stress since the start of the pandemic. The same dynamics that typically produce rewarding relationships can also be turned around and used to negatively affect the parties involved. Keith and Lynn Macksey, CRNA, wrote Miracles in Marriage during COVID to explore the miracles that lie within these special...

With the resources and skills that CRNAs possess, they are trained to succeed in crisis situations, which is why more and more of our peers are assisting in disaster response. One of those generous people is Corinne Chausse, a CRNA from North Carolina that has worked on the front lines of Iraq, at the epicenter of the pandemic, and other highly stressful locations. Today she joins the show to talk...

For the past 50+ years, numerous quality of care studies have been published that evaluated outcomes based on the anesthesia provider. These studies have produced great data but some of the research methods and findings were flawed. That’s been used by the ASA and AANA to promote agendas. We’ve invited Nancy Bruton-Maree, CRNA, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, back on the show to tell us about the diffe...

The rate of mental health illness has already been on the rise among young adults and these past two years have added even more stress to our lives. We know first-hand how difficult things have been for healthcare workers and students alike. Michael Rieker, CRNA, DNP, FAAN, like many people, has been personally impacted by suicide and now uses that experience to help improve the mental health for...

One positive that’s emerged from the pandemic is the reality that nurses are extremely good at their job and can thrive in an independent setting. The hope is that this will help APRNs and CRNAs move closer to a career where they can practice to the full extent of their training and education without statutory barriers. Today we’ve invited Ronald Castaldo, PhD, MBA, MS, CRNA, APRN, onto the show t...

Being a great leader doesn’t require a person to be in a position of power. Every CRNA has the opportunity to make a difference each day by leading up. The dean of Loma Linda University’s School of Nursing, Shawn Collins, PhD, DNP, CRNA, joins the show today to talk with us about this idea of making an impact from whatever role you’re in.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: ht...

You might have noticed a surge in articles and stories about the nurse anesthesia profession in recent days and weeks, and that’s because of the push for regulatory reform. Joe Rodriguez, CRNA, has always been one to push for change and advocate for healthcare policy reform, and that’s the position he’s in once again. He joins us on this episode to discuss the changing landscape in the AANA, why l...

The issue of diversity isn’t one that’s limited to certain areas of the country or specific professions. It’s a problem that people everywhere are trying to solve, including the CRNA profession. We want to explore the topic and try to get a better understanding of the barriers and challenges for minorities entering this field so we asked Richard Flowers, CHSE, CRNA, DNP, to join the show to provid...

Back in 2006, the AANA Board of Directors appointed a Doctoral Task Force to explore the future direction in nurse anesthesia education. Sandy Ouellette was chosen to co-chair the task force and help lead those discussions that would shape the future for CRNAs. Today she joins us to provide an inside look at how it was composed, the original purpose and process, and all of the options were on the...

As CRNAs continue to push for more awareness and understanding of the profession, social media has emerged as one of the great tools for accomplishing this goal. Rhianna Ferial, CRNA, and her husband have completely embraced the medium on multiple platforms to educate, mentor, and inspire. Today she joins the show to talk about the reason she devotes so much time to social media and how it ties in...

When it comes to saving and investing during your working career, CRNAs can find plenty of help and resources to get them to retirement. Unfortunately, there’s not nearly as much support to help you manage that nest egg and spend down your assets. This period, known as decumulation, is just as important as anything you do with your finances so let’s make sure you know what it takes to retire succe...

The beauty of technology is that information is accessible to anyone, anywhere, and the ability to learn is right there at our fingertips. Thanks to FOAM (Free Open Access Meducation), CRNAs are able to pull from all types of resources to continue education and improve their anesthesia skills. To help us understand what is available and how these digital platforms are giving content creators an ou...

Many issues are facing our country right now and nurses will play a key role in helping communities move forward. As the most trusted profession, nursing should embrace that position and that’s what many leaders are trying to do. ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, joins us on this episode to share his view on what he feels are priorities right now, how nurses can impact the future, and why...

Before we share anything, please note that this is an emotional episode. Not only was the journey to a DNP a long and arduous one for Sharon with plenty of highs and lows that we’ll discuss, but we begin the show with heartbreaking news about Sharon’s granddaughter, Emma Kate. It’s tough to discuss but it’s important for the healing process and we appreciate everyone for the support along the way....

On this episode, we’re going back to a previous conversation with the three women behind the Scrub Caps & Sippy Cups podcast. This trio does great work for mothers in our profession so we wanted to spotlight them once again on the show. Plus, a lot has changed for them since we talked in early 2020.     Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-137-balancing-...

Testing is never a relaxing experience and that’s why the upcoming CPC Assessment has created some anxiety for CRNAs. Thankfully, the duo behind APEX Live is working hard to help educate and prepare CRNAs through events, podcasting, and teaching. Jeremy Heiner EdD, CRNA and Sass Elisha EdD, CRNA, FAAN join us today to tell us more about the work they’re doing and then take us through some sample q...

No matter how closely you follow standard of care, mistakes can be made in the operating room. CRNAs often get named in claims, even if they did everything right, so it’s important to be aware of how this happens. Marjorie Everson, PhD, CRNA, has been studying closed claims and there are plenty of findings that she hopes can help CRNAs and SRNAs in the future.   Read more and get additional resour...