Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

When we started the podcast years ago, we wanted to provide a platform for CRNAs to learn more about the profession and collaborate with other industry leaders to help grow nurse anesthesia. It’s exceeded all of our expectations as the podcasting world as a whole has exploded during that time as well. This has become a medium that can help revolutionize medical education and we’ll explore the impa...

Are you looking for ways to enhance your leadership skills and advance your career? Today’s episode is all about the world of CRNA boss moves and we’ll get great advice and inspiration from two outstanding guests, Laura Ardizzone, DNP, CRNA, DCC and Kirsten Meister, DNP, CRNA. Join us as we focus on mastering the administrative side of the profession, avoiding common pitfalls, and elevating your l...

We’re excited to welcome Julie Linton, DNAP, APRN, CRNA back to the show to explore the development and implementation of a standardized orientation program for state associations. She has undertaken a significant doctoral project on this subject and she is going to share her insights and findings with us. Today’s show will get into the motivation behind her project, the process ​of ​developing ​a...

Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that can influence clinical judgment and potentially lead to adverse outcomes for patients. By understanding these biases, anesthesia providers can improve their decision-making process and enhance patient safety. Today we’ll take a deep dive into the world of cognitive biases and how they affect decision-making in anesthesia practice. Here’s some...

Breakthroughs in healthcare are always exciting to learn more about and one that caught our attention is GLPs, a group of therapeutic agents revolutionizing the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. We spent time with Amy M. Reed, PhD, CRNA at the AANA Annual Congress in San Diego to learn more about the potential of GPS and how therapeutic agents are not only transforming diabetes care but also showing p...

As a CRNA, transitioning to 1099 work can be a game-changer for your career and financial future. Sharon made this move in recent years and is sharing the experience in a series along with Jeremy’s insight on the financial side of the transition. This three-part discussion is aimed to help educate other CRNAs who are considering the move to 1099, and today’s episode will be a bit more detailed wit...

Today’s episode is about aging and longevity—topics that have intrigued humanity for millennia. But today, we have cutting-edge science that shows aging is not just a random, unstoppable process; it’s governed by specific biological pathways, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. We’re going to explore the cutting-edge science and evidence-based strategies for enhancing both lifespan and h...

The Provider Non-Discrimination law from the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits commercial payers from discrimi-nating against providers based on their licensure, has been in effect for more than a decade now. In 2020, Congress re-quired the federal government to issue rules and enforcement policies that would prevent commercial payers from dis-criminating against providers. But enforcement isn’...

We’ve seen and heard a lot of questions about the new Maintaining Anesthesia Certification (MAC) Program from the NBCRNA so we’re going to tackle as many of those as we can head-on with incoming president Garry Brydges, PhD, DNP, MBA, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAAN. This innovative four-year program is designed to streamline credentialing and reflect CRNA's commitment to continuous improvement in safe, quali...

Election season can be a stressful time for many, especially when it comes to financial concerns. The uncertainty of political outcomes often leads to anxiety about the future of the economy and the stock market. But is your fear warranted? Today we’re going to remove the emotion and look at election season from a historical perspective.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Why the Fe...

In the ever-evolving field of anesthesia, new research constantly reshapes how we approach patient care. In this episode, we explore the compelling findings of a recent systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on cancer outcomes.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: We’ll provide an overview of the study and some of the ke...

More and more CRNAs are making the decision to move from a W-2 employee to a 1099 CRNA. Sharon made this move in recent years and is sharing this experience on the podcast to help educate other CRNAs who are weighing the pros and cons. Once you’ve made the decision to go 1099, how do you make sure you’re doing everything right? Today is part two of a three-part session and we’re answering that que...

In this episode, we’re spotlighting a cutting-edge study on the nociception level (NOL) index and its potential impact on intraoperative opioid management. The NOL index, a tool that uses machine learning to assess nociception during general anesthesia, promises a more precise way to monitor patient responses to pain. However, as we’ll discuss, a recent meta-analysis found that NOL monitoring did...

In the ever-evolving world of anesthesia, patient safety and clinical outcomes are paramount. This is especially true for patients with a history of substance use, such as cocaine or methamphetamine. Today we’re joined by Laurent Estrada, Omar Silva, and Jake Abel, doctoral students from USC, who have dedicated their research to developing an algorithm designed to manage elective procedures for th...

During our trip to the AANA Annual Congress in San Diego, we had the chance to catch up once again with Bill Bruce, AANA CEO, to update you on the latest developments and initiatives that will impact CRNAs and SRNAs across the country. Today’s show will get you up to speed on the Rm8 Innovation Lab, the AANA’s focus on access to educational materials, an insurance partnership, and much more.    He...

In this episode, we’ll explore the evolving landscape of pain management with a focus on non-surgical approaches. While nurse anesthetists are known for their expertise in managing pain in the operating room, this episode delves into the broader and often complex world of chronic pain management. Today we’re joined by Randy Cornelius, DNP, CRNA, ARNP, a current member of the AANA Board of Director...

As healthcare continues to evolve, CRNAs find themselves in a unique position – should they stick to the traditional W-2 employment model or transition to a 1099 independent contractor status? This is a trend that we’ve been monitoring for a few years now, and Jeremy was able to convince Sharon to make the transition to 1099. Now we want to share the experience with you and let you know what Sharo...

As science improves, we’re learning more and more about brain health and how to maintain our youth even as we age. Today we’re joined by Ryan Sullivan, CFP®, CRPC®, RCC™ of Hartford Funds to share the valuable knowledge he’s gained from a partnership with the MIT Age Lab and explore how simple lifestyle changes can significantly impact our brain health and, consequently, our financial future. Ryan...

In the latest episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon Pearce and guest co-host Carole Doyscher, CRNA, BSN, MS, APRN are joined by Lori Schirle, CRNA, PhD, an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University. We heard her topic at the AANA Annual Congress and wanted to bring her on to discuss the cutting-edge research on pain sensitivity and its implications for CRNAs and advanced practice nurses. Join us a...

Today we have the pleasure of hosting Ike Bartel, BSN, RN, CCRN, an aspiring CRNA from Kansas. Ike's journey from being an RN to pursuing a career as a CRNA is a testament to the power of mentorship in the nursing community. Ike has pioneered a mentorship program specifically designed to guide and support RNs on their path to becoming CRNAs. Today we’ll learn all about his journey, the inception o...

CRNAs are self-starters who strive in individual settings, but we’re all much stronger and successful with the support of others. In our latest podcast episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with the Fab Four, a group of extraordinary women who have left an indelible mark on the CRNA community. These trailblazers, innovators, and phenomenal individuals have not only shaped the profession bu...

In this episode, we’ll explore nurse anesthetists’ indispensable role in disaster response and mass casualty incidents (MCIs). Drawing from real-life examples, including the harrowing experiences during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, we’ll highlight the resilience, expertise, and dedication required from nurse anesthetists in times of crisis. We’ll also dive into the American Association of Nurse Anest...

Retirement represents a pivotal milestone in a CRNA’s life and it ushers in a new phase that could extend over 20 to 30 years or more. How do you best prepare yourself for that transition after work? Today we’re joined by John Diehl, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® of Hartford Funds to discuss the four stages of retirement and the impact of longevity on financial planning and quality of life. Join us as we expl...

We’re thrilled to spend time today with a special guest who is not just a nurse anesthetist but also a passionate advocate for healthcare and community issues. Kellie Deeter, CRNA is currently running for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives with a campaign focused on her extensive experience in the medical field and a commitment to public service. Join us as we hear about her journey, the...

Today we welcome back Nancy Bruton-Maree, CRNA, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA to take a detailed look at the evolution of education in the nurse anesthetist profession. In part two of the conversation, we’ll look back through the significant transformations over decades, evolving from diploma programs to doctoral entry. Learn more about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the profession, from...