Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

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 effective in leadership roles and why this topic is so important in 2020. Read more about the show...

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 full presentation on this episode. Read more and get additional resources here:...

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 today. Show notes & additional resources:...

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 resources here:...

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 more and get additional resources here:...

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 time, and why it’s just as relevant today. Read more on this topic:...

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, and what you can do if someone you know is dealing with an SUD. Read more on this episode...

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-courage-to-lead-2018-19-aana-president-bruce-weiner-dnp-msna-crna/2611/ Get the CE certificate...

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 resources here:...

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 life to pushing for advocacy and increasing awareness among young CRNAs. Today she’s joins us to...

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://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2589 Get the CE certificate here:...

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 issue will be voted on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Show notes and additional resources:...

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 voted on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Show notes and additional resources:...

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 the past 30 years. Read more and get additional resources here:...

Now more than ever, putting a focus on your wellness needs to be a priority for every CRNA. We all deal with stress and fatigue each day so giving our body a break is important. The good news is you’ll find a lot of resources and help from the professional organizations supporting CRNAs. Let’s find out more about those along with ways to improve wellness, and we’ll do it with NCANA President Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA. Read more and get additional resources here:...

The next episode in our presidential series brings us a conversation with Dennis Bless, APRN, MS, CRNA, who served as AANA president for 2013-14. His financial background provided the organization with a new perspective and that helped make significant changes that still live on today. We’ll hear about his experiences and talk with him about diversity, compensation, relationship-building, reallocation and more. Read more and get additional resources here:...

Nearly a century ago, nurse anesthetists took the first steps towards standardizing education and moving towards an approval process. It was a journey that faced many challenges and took various forms before reaching the point where we are today. Betty Horton, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, and Mike Kremer, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, join the show to take us through this history of education and accreditation along with where we’re headed. Read more and get additional resources here:...

CRNAs already have plenty to worry about each day and it’s convenient to put finances to the side. As we’ve seen in 2020, the unexpected can happen at any time so we need to make sure you have a plan for your money. Today we’ll talk about the way CRNAs typically get off-track with their finances but we’ll also give you steps to getting everything in order. Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2533 Get CRNA financial planning guidance here:...

The continued growth of the CRNA profession will rely on the young generation taking charge and leading the way, and that’s exactly what Julie Linton, MSN, CRNA, is doing as the president of the WVANA. Today we’ll talk to her about the drive to be in leadership positions, why it’s important for all CRNAs to be invested, and how she developed her cow-milking skills. Read more and get additional resources here:...

You can argue that the passage of direct reimbursement in 1986 was one of the most significant lobbying achievements in healthcare. This process took much of the decade and spanned seven AANA presidents, including Dick and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA. We revisit those momentous years and learn more about all the hard work that went into getting direct reimbursement. Read more and get additional resources here:...