Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Advocacy is the driving force behind elevating our profession and continuing to push nurse anesthetists and CRNAs forward. One of the key people advocating for us is Lorraine Jordan, PhD, CRNA, CAE, FAAN. As the Chief Advocacy Officer for the AANA and the CEO of the AANA Foundation, Dr. Jordan works tirelessly for her peers and devotes countless hours to research that benefits us all. Today we want to spotlight the work she’s doing and learn more about the goals and purpose of the AANA...

The AANA and CRNA community suffered a great loss in March with the passing of Steve Mund, DNP, CRNA, CENP, FACHE. To help remember him and his legacy in the profession, Jeremy and Sharon wanted to go back and revisit a conversation they had with him in 2019 on the future of healthcare. See the show notes: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-123-remembering-steve-mund-with-a-past-conversation/2859/ Listen to our other episode with Steve:...

Goldie Brangman, CRNA, might be known best for becoming the AANA’s first African-American president, but there’s so much more to know about her life and career. Today we wanted to celebrate everything she accomplished, including helping save Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s life, and we do so with the help of Nancy Bruton-Maree, CRNA, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA. Read more and see additional shows here:...

There’s a growing need for pain management solutions in our country and it could be the next great opportunity for CRNAs. Cheryl Schosky, DNAP, MSN, CRNA, is one of only 89 CRNAs in the country with a non-surgical pain management certification and will share everything she’s learned about the practice and why she believes it needs to become an educational track for future CRNAs. Read more and get additional resources here:...

It’s like a story right out of a Hollywood blockbuster. One that involves predawn flights, heavy military ammunitions, and a Crown Prince from the United Arab Emirates. Most importantly, it’s a secret mission involving CRNAs. Join us as we get the first-hand account of this 2017 covert operation from Lt. Col Laura Wiggins, CRNA, who was a part of this flight into Yemen. Show notes: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-120-the-secret-middle-east-mission-crnas-took-part-in/2826/ Get the...

You might know him as Bolt CRNA on social media. This new-age advocate for the profession has built a strong following through YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and now Tik-Tok. Find out how Jason Bolt, CRNA, began this journey as an ‘influencer’ and how he uses his platform to help educate current and aspiring nurse anesthetists. Read more and find out how to connect with Jason here:...

The loss of a child can be the greatest weight a parent can carry through life, but Steve James, CRNA, and his wife turned a tragedy into a world-changing mission. Today we’ll learn all about this remarkable journey from Alabama to Kenya and how CRNAs are making a major difference halfway around the globe. Show notes and additional resources: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-118-a-crnas-light-in-the-darkness-featuring-steve-james-crna/2821/ About our guest:...

When you look at areas of the nurse anesthesia profession that need improvement, diversity would be near the top of that list. Thanks to Dr. Lena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAAN, there’s a mentorship program in place that is helping facilitate entry into the profession for people of color. Today we’ll spotlight that work that’s being done, share Dr. Gould’s incredible journey to this point, and discuss ways to keep increasing diversity in the operating room. Read more and get additional resources...

For more than 20 years, the AANA Mentorship Program has played an integral role in the development of young CRNAs thanks to both the mentors and mentees that have committed to the annual event. Tracy Castleman, CRNA, has been deeply involved in the mentoring process so we asked her to join us to talk about the program, why it’s important for CRNAs to get involved, and what young professionals can expect to get out of this experience. Read more and get additional resources here:...

If you’re in the need for inspiration, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better story than the one that Jeanne Stawiecki, CRNA, will tell on this episode. Thanks to the power of positive and determined thinking, she went from smoking two packs of cigarettes each day to setting two Guinness World Records for marathon running and mountain climbing. It’s an incredibly powerful and emotional story and one you don’t want to miss. Read more here:...

Being the lead of an organization like the AANA takes a special set of leadership skills, but reaching that point doesn’t come without obstacles like uncertainty and doubt. Join us as we talk with AANA CEO Randy Moore, DNP, MBA, CRNA, about his journey to his leadership role and how he’s handled periods of self-doubt along the way. Read more and get additional resources here:...

After watching another historic Inauguration Day, we can’t help but notice that the country has mixed feelings about where we’re headed. You can say we’re living in a 50-50 world. So as we welcome in a new administration, what can CRNAs expect from the economy moving forward and what does it mean for your finances? Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-113-life-in-a-50-50-world-preparing-crnas-financially-for-2021/2780/ Get the CE certificate...

The next installment of our Presidential Leadership Series features Peggy McFadden, CRNA, BS, who actually served two terms as the AANA president. Join us as we look back on her impressive career and learn what challenges were facing the AANA in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-112-courage-to-lead-two-term-aana-president-peggy-mcfadden-crna-bs/2775/ Get the CE certificate here:...

While there’s plenty we want to forget about 2020, there was also a bit of history we want to spotlight. Sydney Davis, CRNA, and Taylor Rehfeldt, CRNA, became the first two CRNAs to be elected to a state legislature during the November 3 general election in South Dakota. Join us as we celebrate their story, find out why they pursued office, and learn about the issues they’re focusing on. Read more and get additional resources here:...

In recent years, we’ve watched women rise to levels of power previously never seen. While it’s been an amazing evolution to watch, there’s still plenty of inequality in the world. Today we’ll take a look at the top issues in our country as it relates to women and discuss the pivotal roles women have played over the years. Kimberly Gordon, CRNA, and Judge April Wood join Sharon and Jeremy for a roundtable discussion. Read more and get additional resources here:...

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 of your money. Read more and get additional resources here:...

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 of Nancy Bruton-Maree and Sandy Ouellette to do it. Plus, we’ll have a special montage at the...

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. Read more and get additional resources here:...

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 future of the profession. Read more and get additional resources here:...

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 recently became a Minnesota State Senator in 2020. Listen as she shares her experience, the role...