Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

For CRNA students, everything can come down to one moment: the board exam. But is it fair to measure years of training, clinical experience, and growth with a single high-stakes test? In this episode, Joshua Olson DNP, CRNA, CRNA educator, and co-creator of the Ollivate app, joins Erin and Louisa to discuss board prep and the use of artificial intelligence in CRNA education. Here’s some of what yo...

There’s no shortage of financial advice available today, and much of it sounds confident, compelling, and even logical. But one of the biggest mistakes CRNAs can make is assuming that widely shared advice automatically applies to your situation. The truth is, personal finance is exactly that: personal. In this episode, Jeremy and Sharon dive into some of the most popular financial advice circulati...

In this episode, Lynn and Garry explore the clinical, ethical, and deeply human realities of death and dying in anesthesia. From the illusion of control to the complexities of end-of-life decision-making, they reflect on what it means to care for patients when cure is no longer possible. More importantly, they examine how these moments shape us as providers challenging our assumptions, deepening o...

Choosing a DNP project can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re early in your program and still figuring out your clinical interests. Many students think they need to create something groundbreaking, but the reality is much more practical. The key isn’t reinventing the wheel, it’s finding a topic that’s meaningful, manageable, and backed by existing research. In this episode, the team breaks...

In a profession built on precision and high stakes, mistakes often come with shame, silence, and self-doubt. Failure is something every clinician experiences but almost no one talks about it. What if those moments are actually key to becoming a better provider? In this episode, Stephen Pilot, DNP, CRNA, APN explains how embracing failure can transform both clinical performance and personal growth....

What if learning could be both highly effective and a genuinely fun experience? In this episode, we explore an innovative approach to CRNA education that blends simulation, competition, and teamwork to create deeper engagement and better outcomes for students. AANA Chief Science & Practice Officer Shayne Hauglum, PhD, CRNA, APRN, joins the show to share how “Sim Wars” is reshaping the way stud...

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity for diabetes treatment and weight loss, but their rapid rise is creating new considerations for anesthesia providers. As more patients arrive for procedures while taking these medications, CRNAs and anesthesia teams must navigate evolving guidelines, potential aspiration risks, and uncertainty about perioperative management. In...

Today we’re taking listeners beyond technical skill and into one of the most critical yet often overlooked competencies in the operating room: emotional intelligence. In a profession defined by precision, timing, and high-stakes decision-making, the ability to understand and manage emotions can be just as vital as mastering airway management or pharmacology. Joining the conversation is Brian Barry...

The transition from classroom to clinical rotations can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking as expectations, personalities, and environments vary from day to day. Knowing what to expect can help ease the anxiety and better prepare you for this critical period of training.  Today, all of our hosts are back together to break down what clinicals actually look like from the student perspective. He...

Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and nowhere is that more evident than in the anesthesia workforce. In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with Scott Becker, founder of Becker’s Healthcare, to explore the current state of staffing, education, and economic pressures shaping the industry. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🏥 The anesthesia shortage isn’t solved  👩‍⚕️ CRNAs are cr...

What if CRNA students could practice critical anesthesia skills over and over again without limits, without pressure, and without risking patient safety? In this episode of Airway Exchange, Louisa and Erin explore how virtual reality is transforming nurse anesthesia education. Joined by Katie Cole, DNP, CRNA, CHSE and Kelly Wiltse Nicely, PhD, CRNA from Emory University, we’ll dive into how VR sim...

The nurse anesthesia profession is navigating a period of rapid change. From reimbursement cuts and workforce shortages to evolving practice models and federal policy battles, the decisions being made today will shape the future of CRNAs for decades to come. In this special live taping recorded at the West Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthesiology meeting, Sharon sits down with AANA President J...

In this episode, we explore the Fifth Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting, the latest international update designed to guide clinicians toward more effective prevention and treatment strategies. These updated recommendations reflect a growing body of research and introduce several important shifts in how anesthesia providers approach PONV. From expanded use...

In this episode, Nicolas and Kelsey sit down with Tarcisio Gois dos Santos, BSN, RN, SRNA an internationally educated nurse from Brazil who is now an SRNA at the Mayo Clinic. As workforce shortages persist, the profession is evolving and hospitals are hiring more nurses educated outside of the United States. We’ll explore the realities of applying to CRNA school as an international nurse and discu...

The opioid crisis continues to impact communities across the country, and in many overdose situations, police officers are the first people to arrive on the scene. That reality inspired a powerful community initiative led by CRNA student Krystin Jones. Her DNP project focuses on training law enforcement officers to recognize opioid overdoses and confidently administer naloxone, a medication that c...

In this episode of Airway Exchange, Jiale (Gary) Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN joins the conversation to explore how AI is reshaping the way we teach, learn, and prepare future CRNAs. He’s currently ​the ​Director ​of ​Research ​and ​Global ​Outreach ​in ​the ​Department ​of ​Nurse ​Anesthesia, and his ​scholarship ​focuses ​on ​enhancing ​knowledge ​translation ​in ​healthcare ​environments, ​with ​a ​lot ​o...

Today’s episode is one of courage, survival, and reclaiming your voice. Tonia Bales, CRNA and author of When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John , shares her deeply personal story of manipulation, coercive control, and psychological abuse. While the world knows the headline-grabbing “Dirty John” narrative, this conversation takes us behind the scenes to explore how even strong, c...

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, this episode of Grade 1 View highlights the power, resilience, and impact of women shaping the future of nurse anesthesia. Dr. Bimpe ‘Bebe’ Adenusi shares her remarkable journey from clinical chemist to CRNA, educator, program director, national leader, and founder of the Nigerian American Nurse Anesthetist Association. With authenticity and humili...

Becoming a CRNA isn’t just about mastering pharmacology, physiology, and airway skills. It’s about mentorship. In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Kelly Elmore, DNP, APRN-CRNA joins the show to discuss one of the most critical and often overlooked elements of nurse anesthesia education: preceptorship training. From bridging classroom theory to real-time clinical decision-making, preceptors are the...

Writing for a grade is one thing. Writing to contribute to a scientific conversation is something entirely different. In this episode of Airway Exchange, Dr. Edwin Aroke, an internationally recognized CRNA pain scientist and Editor-in-Chief of the AANA Journal, joins hosts Erin and Nickie to talk with us about scholarly writing and peer review. His ​scholarship ​has ​resulted ​in ​over ​60 ​peer-r...

CRNAs are in demand. Salaries are strong. Jobs are plentiful. So why is Dr. Randy Moore sounding the alarm? In this episode, Randy joins Sharon and guest host Kevin Chem, DNP, CRNA to unpack his viral Substack article, “No One Is Coming to Save Us. ” The core message is uncomfortable but clear: while anesthesia organizations remain divided over turf and titles, payers are quietly reshaping reimbur...

This week, Lynn and Garry sit down with guest Dru Riddle to tackle one of the most misunderstood and increasingly problematic concepts in perioperative care: the idea that patients can be “cleared” for anesthesia by non-anesthesia providers. While well-intentioned, this language blurs professional boundaries and creates real risks for patients and anesthesia teams alike. The goals for this show ar...

Advocacy can feel intimidating, especially as a student. But what if your future scope of practice, reimbursement, autonomy, and even student loan access are being shaped right now? Mackenzie and Levi recently attended Lobby Day in Florida and Nicolas went to Capitol Day in Arizona. Kelsey asks them about their experiences and advice for other SRNAs. You’ll learn more about what advocacy events ac...

In this special episode, the conversation goes beyond anesthesia, leadership, and practice models and into something just as essential: friendship, health, and wellness. In a profession that is demanding, high‑stakes, and often isolating, the relationships CRNAs build with one another can be a powerful source of strength. Sharon is  joined by longtime friends Jackie Rowles, DNP, MBA, MA, CRNA, ANP...

Recorded live at the EDGE Conference , this special episode brings all four hosts together for an honest, reflective conversation about what makes this meeting so meaningful for CRNA educators, and why it continues to matter more than ever. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🎓 The Value of EDGE for Educators - Why this conference remains a cornerstone for faculty connection and grow...