Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Our guests in this episode are representatives from Woman Within International, an organization dedicated to empowering women through self-discovery and healing. Katey Hurd, president of the Women Within Central USA Board and Linda Stulz, RN, M. ED, join us to explore why many women find themselves overwhelmed and disconnected from their true selves. Today you’ll learn about the organization’s pro...

Have you ever wondered what it would take to make the shift from an RN to a CRNA? Would it be manageable? Today we’re sharing our conversation with two talented women who are in the middle of that process right now. Larry and Kevin sat down with Jasmine Dhalla, BSN, BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, TNCC and Damilola Olarenwaju, BSN, RN, CCRN, TNCC at the AANA Congress in Nashville so they could share their...

In a world where men don't usually don't like discussing their feelings, the Mankind Project USA stands as a beacon of hope for men seeking connection and personal growth. In our latest podcast episode, Nathan Ed-wards, CRNA and Boysen Hodgson share their experiences with this transformative organization, which is dedicated to redefining masculinity and fostering a culture of vulnerability and com...

Office-based anesthesia (OBA) is no longer the “wild west” of healthcare. It’s a thriving, highly specialized branch of anesthesia practice that’s changing the way patients experience surgery. In this episode, Lynn and Garry take you inside the rapidly growing world of OBA, where 10 million procedures a year are now performed outside hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. They explore why patie...

For years, anesthesia providers have relied on subjective assessments to evaluate neuromuscular recovery. These methods, while familiar, often fall short in ensuring patient safety. As evidence mounts regarding the risks associated with residual paralysis, the need for more precise and objective monitoring has never been clearer. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at Quantatative train-of-four...

For many years, it was rare to see a new CRNA grad get a 1099 opportunity, but that’s been changing over the past decade. This new generation of CRNAs looks at work differently than previous generations and 1099 fits their lifestyle needs much better. So what do you really need to know if you are choosing between traditional W2 employment and the increasingly popular 1099 pathway? Kevin and Larry...

When seconds matter, preparation saves lives. Today’s case study involving a 47-year-old man with severe obesity and obstructive sleep apnea is a great example of that. When a routine EGD resulted in rapid hypoxia shortly after sedation after conventional methods failed, it was the McMurray Enhanced Airway that made all the difference. Sharon shares the experience in this episode and we invited Ro...

Good governance is proactive, not reactive, and a potential bylaw change could help the AANA move more in that direction. In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Jeremy and Sharon welcome AANA vice president Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA to discuss one of the most important proposals facing the AANA: a new bylaw amendment that would establish a clear, fair process for removing a board member before a c...

In this episode of Grade 1 View, we had the privilege of speaking with Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, a pioneer in the field of opioid-free anesthesia. As the president and founder of the Society of Opioid Free Anesthesia, Tom has dedicated his career to advancing pain management techniques that prioritize patient safety and comfort. Today he’ll share how his own clinical curiosity led him to abandon...

In a world where access to healthcare can vary dramatically, the role of global outreach initiatives has never been more critical. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by nurse anesthesia doctoral student Chris Wheelock to ​discuss ​the ​impact ​of ​global ​outreach ​and ​how ​an ​initiative ​he ​was ​involved ​in ​is ​shaping ​the ​future ​of ​global ​health ​care. Here’s some of what you’ll hear...

We dive into the latest research on ketamine's therapeutic potential, including its role in treating ischemic stroke, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and PTSD. You'll hear how scientists are studying its effects on brain regions like the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as its impact on neuroinflammation, fear memory, and neurogenesis.   We'll also explore ketamine’s use in anesthesia...

CRNAs bring technical precision and expertise to the operating room, but our most powerful impact might be how we show up for our patients during their most vulnerable moments. In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with Casi Short, a CRNA who developed a compassionate care program for women experiencing pregnancy loss. Hear how her own fertility struggles and second-trimester losses inspired...

What does wellness really look like for nurse anesthesia residents? Today, Kevin and Charity chat with second-year nurse anesthesia resident Cassie Keefe, co-chair of the AANA Resident Wellness Committee, to answer real questions submitted by residents across the country. From burnout and self-doubt to meal prep and mental health, Cassie, Kevin, and Charity share their strategies for academic and...

Before ​we ​get ​started ​with ​today's ​show, ​we ​want ​to ​take ​a ​moment ​to ​dedicate ​this ​episode ​to ​someone ​very ​special. ​Emma, ​Sharon's ​granddaughter ​and ​the ​daughter ​of ​today's ​guest ​co-​host ​Michelle, ​was ​born ​prematurely ​and ​spent ​her ​short ​life ​in ​the ​NICU. ​She ​passed ​away ​just ​three ​days ​after ​she ​was ​born. ​Today's ​episode ​is released on ​Emma...

The ​nursing ​profession ​has ​always ​been ​a ​cornerstone ​of ​the ​healthcare ​system, ​but ​in ​recent ​years, ​the ​pressure, ​burnout ​and ​emotional ​toll ​have ​reached ​crisis ​levels. That’s why we wanted to spend time with functional health expert Vince Pitstick, founder & CEO of Vidal Coaching, to help bring awareness to the hidden epidemic facing America’s nursing workforce. Vince...

From a 72-hour labor in rural India to the operating room as a nurse anesthesia resident, Taranjeet Rathore’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Along with Olivia and Kevin, Taranjeet, a nurse anesthesia resident at National University, opens up about the moment that inspired his career in healthcare, the cultural barriers he’s worked to overcome, and his mission to represent underserved v...

It’s bold. It’s fast. And it’s the first of its kind in nurse anesthesiology. Sharon and guest co-host AANA President Jan Setnor welcome back nurse innovator Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL to introduce a groundbreaking addition to the AANA Annual Congress: the first-ever Nurse Anesthesia Hackathon. Rebecca ​has ​always ​challenged ​the ​status ​quo ​and ​this ​year ​she's ​bringing ​that ​energy ​str...

(If you're hearing an episode on Dexmedatomidine and using Apple Podcasts, please delete the file and re-download it so you can hear the proper episode about Implanted Cardiac Devices) ... Today, we're diving into a critical topic in modern healthcare: the perioperative management of patients with implanted electronic devices undergoing noncardiac surgery. With significant advancements in cardiolo...

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted in 2017, introduced sweeping changes to both individual and business tax provisions—many of which have significantly benefited Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). But with key components set to expire at the end of 2025, now is the time to understand what’s at stake and how it might affect your financial picture. Here’s some of what you’ll hea...

What if that voice in your head saying “you don’t belong here” isn’t telling the truth? So many professionals suffer from imposter syndrome and that’s no different for CRNAs. We’ve had multiple people talk about this subject with us so we wanted to invited on Jeffrey R. Darna, CRNA, ACNP-BC, DNP, program director at USC and one of the nation’s leading voices on imposter phenomenon in nurse anesthe...

In 2017, a fatal medication error shocked the medical world, and its aftermath has left the nursing community forever changed. In this gripping episode, Jeremy and Sharon sit down with RaDonda Vaught, the nurse who was found guilty of two felony charges in 2022. She shares the story of how a routine shift, a medication override, and a system-wide communication failure led to a tragedy — and eventu...

Dexmedetomidine — or “Dex” — has become one of the most intriguing and versatile drugs in the anesthesia world. In this episode of Anesthesia Alchemy with hosts Lynn Macksey, MSN, CRNA and Garry Brydges, PhD, DNP, MBA, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAAN dive deep into the pharmacology, clinical application, and emerging research surrounding this alpha-2 agonist. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠...

In this special crossover episode of Beyond the Mask, we sit down with two hosts from the Grade 1 View, a new podcast hosted by nurse anesthesia residents for nurse anesthesia residents. Kevin Chem and Charity Garno join Sharon and Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, FAANA to reflect on mentorship, the student experience, and the future of the CRNA profession. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in thi...

What if studying for boards could actually be fun and sustainable? In this episode of Grade 1 View, Kevin Chem sits down with Dr. Joshua Olson DNP, CRNA, CRNA educator, and co-creator of the Olivate app, to talk about the realities of CRNA education, board exam burnout, and what it means to walk alongside students instead of just lecturing from the front of the room. From the emotional toll of imp...

What does leadership look like in a profession that never stands still? In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back Bill Bruce, CEO of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, to talk about the challenges and opportunities for CRNAs in 2025. Since ​stepping ​into ​his role, ​Bill ​has ​brought ​a ​fresh ​perspective ​and ​a ​deep ​commitment ​to ​advancing ​the ​role ​of ​CRNAs ​across...