Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

We’ve finally reached the end of 2020 and everyone is looking forward to turning the page to a new year. These past ten months have been a financial burden on so many CRNAs and their family and friends, but now is an opportunity to assess your future and make the changes you need. Financial planning can feel overwhelming so we put together a checklist to guide you through the most important areas...

When you think back on the history of the AANA, few people left a legacy like John Garde, CRNA, MS, FAAN. A former President, Education Director, and Executive Director, Garde played a critical role in the growth and prominence of the organization and he made a positive impact on so many CRNAs. Today we honor his legacy and share our memories of this gift to our profession, and we’ll have the help...

None of us will soon forget this year, but 2020 has been especially life-changing for Christen Roberts, CRNA. Over the past year she’s created Bambu bracelets to support healthcare workers across the country and became the first Mrs. Georgia American. Both platforms have given her an opportunity to increase awareness for the CRNA profession and she joins us to tell us about this amazing journey.  ...

The wide-ranging effects of COVID on the healthcare system have been well-documented, but what impact is this pandemic having on nurse anesthesia students and educational programs? Erin Martin, CRNA, DNP, is the Program Director at the Mayo Nurse Anesthesia Program and has seen the changes first-hand. She joins the show to share her experience this year and tell us what it could mean for the futur...

As we’ve learned in 2020, having more nurses in leadership and decision-making positions would benefit the entire country greatly. One nurse that’s embracing their power to bring change is Erin Murphy, RN. After years in the nursing profession, she transitioned into politics 15 years ago and served as a state representative for more than a decade, became the first nurse to run for governor, and re...

Few people had an impact on nursing and the nurse anesthesia profession like Ira P. Gunn, CRNA, MLN, FAAN. Widely regarded as a visionary in the profession, Gunn’s legacy lives on through many different capacities. To help us better understand her life and accomplishments, Nancy Bruton-Maree and Sandy Ouellette join us to share what they know about Gunn and what they learned from working with her....

We don’t have to go very far back to find the guest on the latest installment in our Presidential Leadership Series. Garry Brydges PhD, DNP, MBA, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAAN, in the AANA, served as the AANA president for the 2018-19 year so his experiences are still very fresh. Join us as we look back at the challenges of his term, the lessons learned, and why self-reflection has become part of his daily...

While the CRNA profession continues to remain steady and strong, we’re at a critical point in time if things are going to stay that way. What can be done to motivate and engage the younger generations of CRNAs to be active and involved? We put together a panel for the CANA to discuss the future of the profession and its organizations.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondth...

The dynamic field of psychotropic medication has seen groundbreaking results with the introduction of dissociative therapies. This episode hopes to shed light on the use of ketamine for mental health and chronic pain relief and put an emphasis on how CRNAs are uniquely positioned to benefit from its application. Dr. Nicholas Kalynych and Brian Hogan of Sunbelt Wellness Institute will join the show...

We’re celebrating 100 episodes with a fascinating look to the future of health. Shawna Butler, RN, MBA, has been leading the charge towards merging clinical care, technology, and sustainable business models and much of that conversation centers around the true value of nurses. Join us as we learn all about the work and research Butler has been doing, where the industry is headed from a technology...

Nearly 10 years ago, the NBCRNA introduced the Continued Professional Certification program much to the surprise of many people in the profession. That announcement came just a few days before former AANA president Debra Malina, CRNA, MBA, DNSc, took office, and it led to many difficult discussions and decisions. Join us as we take you back to 2011-12 and into those meetings, and then find out wha...

Politics carry a connotation that’s gotten worse in recent years, but that’s why it’s even more important for nurses to be a part of the decision-making process. As we continue lobbying on this podcast for activism and involvement, we brought on a guest that took that leap nearly 15 years ago. NC House Representative Gale Adcock, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, will explain why nurses are so effecti...

Jeremy and Sharon had a chance to speak at the 2020 NCANA/SCANA Virtual Meetings about the impact COVID-19 on CRNAs and their financial security. They’ll provide some eye-opening stats about the economy overall from the past six months and share the direct effect it’s had on CRNAs. But don’t fret, there will also be guidance on what you can be doing to get your financial future in order. Hear that...

When you think about your future as a CRNA, you likely to see court playing any part in it. But as nurses are included more and more in lawsuits, there’s a chance you could end up in front of a judge. The best way to be prepared is by understanding the legal process and your role in a trial. Judge April Wood brings nearly 20 years experience on the bench and will share what she knows on the show t...

Our leadership series continues with a look back to the 1990s with former AANA president  Mary DePaolis Lutzo, CRNA, PhD. That decade featured many heated battles for CRNAs and she was right in the middle of it during that 1994-95 year in office. Today we look back on all the strides the AANA took over that time period, including a transition onto the internet.   Read more and get additional resou...

As transgender patients become more common for hospitals across the country, procedures and processes continue to be updated to meet their needs. Jose D. Castillo, III, PhD, MS, CRNA, ARNP, has spent a lot of time researching this subject and educating CRNAs. Today, he’ll address some of our questions and provide us with a better understanding of how best to care for transgender patients.   Read m...

The issue of supervision and direction within our industry has come to the forefront during the COVID pandemic, but it’s anything but a new conversation. We’ve asked Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, to give us another history lesson on the subject. It’s something she’s actively been involved with for over multiple decades. Join us as we define supervision and direction, explain how this has evolved over tim...

Substance use can’t be treated without open communication and discussion and that’s what we want to do on this episode. Jack Stem, Peer Assistance Advisor for Ohio, joins the show to share his own personal battle with addiction and how he’s dedicated much of his life to helping others with the same struggles. Find out what you need to know about substance use, why our profession is more vulnerable...

Our leadership series continues with this conversation with the 2018-19 AANA president, Bruce Weiner, DNP, MSNA, CRNA. He looks back on the year that just wrapped up and shares his perspective on the challenges facing the board, why leadership development was prioritized, and how the battle for reimbursement continued on.   Read more about this episode: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-91-coura...

Running a state association takes a lot of work and it's made even more challenging when the board doesn't have all the tools to do the best job possible. That’s where association management companies come in. Find out how Peggy Blankenship, CAE, and Accent on Management are helping four state associations already and why it can be a big benefit to members.    Read more and get additional resource...

Gaining a seat at the table is something our profession is working diligently to achieve so CRNAs can advocate for everyone on a local, state, or federal level. This year has served as a reminder that we need to continue fighting to eliminate barriers and moving forward. Debbie Barber, DNP, CRNA, is the former Chair of the AANA Government Relations Committee and dedicates much of her professional...

The next episode in our presidential series provides a thorough look at the challenges - expected and unexpected - that AANA board members face every year. Cheryl Nimmo, DNP, MSHSA, CRNA, was the AANA president in 2016-17 and she dealt with a wide range of issues that she never anticipated, including the departure of CEO Wanda Wilson.     Show notes and additional resources: https://beyondthemaskp...

As the debate over whether the AANA should make the region director positions an at-large vote or maintain the current structure, we wanted to help present both sides of the debate. Today we look at the arguments against Bylaw Amendments 5 & 6 and Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, Mike MacKinnon, CRNA, MSN, Tracy Young, CRNA, MSNA, MBA, and Joe Rodriguez, CRNA, will provide their perspectives. The issu...

As the debate over whether the AANA should make the region director positions an at-large vote or maintain the current structure, we wanted to help present both sides of the debate. On this episode, we’re joined by Sallie Poepsel. MSN, PhD, CRNA, Julie Linton, MSN, CRNA, and Nick Blank, CRNA, MSN, APN, to hear why region directors should represent the area in which they live. The issue will be vot...

Today we bring back Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, to provide us with a look back at an important time in the IFNA’s history. Soon after the organizationwas formed, a meeting with the World Health Organization led to Maura McAuliffe, CRNA, Ph. D, FAAN, being appointed the first official researcher. Find out how it all came about as we document what was learned about nurse anethetistsaround the world over...