Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

One of the most valuable parts of IFNA is learning how providers around the world approach the same mission, delivering safe, high-quality anesthesia care to patients. Today, Sharon and guest co-host Kevin Chem welcome Norwegian nurse anesthetist, professor, and researcher Ann-Chatrin Linqvist Leonardsen for a fascinating look at anesthesia practice in Norway.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🇳🇴 Norwegian nurse anesthetists can independently manage anesthesia for ASA I and II patients under defined standards.

🎓 Norway's education pathway allows practice before completing a full master's degree, a policy Ann wants changed.

🏥 Anesthesiologists collaborate on higher-risk cases, but their involvement varies by setting.

⚖️ Professional recognition and scope-of-practice restrictions remain major challenges in Norway.

🌍 IFNA promotes stronger education standards and professional recognition for nurse anesthetists worldwide.

Donate to Our Hears Your Hands: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

realize. From airway reactivity and wound-healing concerns to unknown additives and changing drug trends, clinicians may be dealing with far more than nicotine.

In this episode, Beth Wilkes, DNAP, CRNA, CHSE, explains why CRNAs need to rethink how they screen patients and assess vaping history. The goal is to recognize emerging risks earlier and make the preoperative conversation more specific, useful, and clinically relevant.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

💨 Ask About Vaping: Smoking questions alone are not enough

🫁 Expect Airway Risk: Respiratory complications may increase

🧪 Know What’s Inside: Vapes can contain many substances

📋 Improve Screening: Frequency and duration matter

⚠️ Watch Emerging Trends: New drug-laced products are appearing

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode of Grade 1 View, hosts Kelsey and Levi welcome Chrissy Massaro, CRNA, MSN and Kate Freedman, CRNA, MSN from Confident Care Academy to talk about what they wish they knew before clinicals and share guidance on how to best prepare. Whether ​you're ​heading ​into ​your ​first ​pediatric ​case ​or ​walking ​into ​a ​cardiac ​room ​wondering ​what ​you ​should ​know ​beforehand, ​knowing what to expect ​can ​make ​a ​huge ​difference ​in ​your ​confidence ​and ​clinical ​experience.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🫁 Know the pediatric airway and review weight-based drug dosing before clinicals.

❤️ Master cardiac physiology and pharmacology to anticipate hemodynamic changes.

👀 Watch the surgery, not just the monitors, to understand what's happening.

🎯 Prioritize patient management over perfect procedures and move on from missed skills.

🤝 Build confidence through preparation, communication, and a willingness to learn.

Visit Confident Care Academy: https://www.confidentcareacademy.app/c/start-here

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Clinical preceptors do far more than supervise students in the operating room. They help learners connect classroom knowledge to real patient care, develop clinical judgment, build confidence, and learn what professional practice actually looks like.

In this episode, Amy Yerdon, DNP, MNA, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA shares practical ways to make that teaching more intentional without sacrificing patient safety or learner autonomy. We hope this conversation can help preceptors communicate more clearly, give better feedback, and create the kind of clinical learning experience that can shape a CRNA for an entire career.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎯 Set Expectations Early: Define goals before the case begins

🧠 Teach to Their Level: Adjust support as competence grows

🗣️ Make Feedback Specific: Help learners understand how to improve

👐 Give Back Autonomy: Step in when needed, then step out

🪞 Encourage Reflection: Let students evaluate themselves first

Check out the clinical preceptor training videos: https://ifna.org/educational-videos/ 

About our guest: https://wcna2026.com/speakers/dr-amy-yerdon/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Moving from clinical anesthesia to the classroom sounds like a natural next step. But what happens when the workload becomes so overwhelming that you consider walking away?

Becky Motykiewicz, DNAP, CRNA returns to Airway Exchange to share her true experience as a full-time CRNA educator at Drexel University in year one. Along with hosts Nickie and Louisa,  Becky offers a candid look at the realities of academic life, including the reason why she almost quit after just nine months. You’ll hear about the mentors who helped her through, what she's changing in year two, and why she would still make the transition all over again.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎓 Teaching CRNAs is different from clinical practice—not easier.

😓 Even passionate educators can reach a breaking point.

🤝 Mentorship can make or break the transition.

⏰ Boundaries are essential for preventing burnout.

📈 Progress matters more than perfect lectures.

About our guest: https://drexel.edu/cnhp/faculty/profiles/MotykiewiczBecky/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Ultrasound has changed the way anesthesia providers assess patients, perform regional techniques, and make decisions at the bedside. But for CRNAs who trained before these tools became commonplace, adding those skills can feel intimidating.

In this episode of Beyond the Mask, recorded at the IFNA Congress in Australia, Christian Falyar, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA joins us to talk about how point-of-care ultrasound and regional anesthesia are becoming increasingly important parts of full-scope CRNA practice.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🔍 Start With POCUS: Build ultrasound comfort before advanced procedures

🧠 Understand the Anatomy: Technique follows strong foundational knowledge

💉 Practice the Needling: Hands-on repetition builds procedural confidence

🤝 Find a Mentor: Workshops alone cannot replace guided practice

📈 Don’t Settle: Full-scope practice requires continued growth

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

AI is already changing healthcare, but that does not mean every answer it gives should be trusted. For CRNAs, the challenge is learning how to use these tools without compromising patient privacy, critical thinking, or clinical judgment.

In this episode, Kirsten Meister, DNP, CRNA offers a practical framework for using AI with healthy skepticism and purpose. With the rise of AI, it’s important that CRNAs become informed users of the technology so they can help shape how it enters anesthesia practice rather than simply reacting to it later.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🤖 Use AI With Skepticism: Helpful does not always mean accurate

🧠 Clinical Judgment Wins: The machine should never replace the clinician

📝 Prompt With Precision: Better instructions produce better results

⚖️ Watch for Bias: Bad data can create bad recommendations

🛫 Use the AIRWAY Framework: Evaluate AI before relying on it

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode recorded at AANA Congress in Boston, Levi and Mackenzie explore the military CRNA careers of Jan Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC, and Greg Collins, DNP, CRNA. Both guests have experience providing anesthesia in deployed environments, and they open up about what military service taught them about practicing under pressure and serving as part of a larger mission. For any future CRNAs considering a military path, this conversation will help provide you with a clearer picture of the opportunities, responsibilities, and personal growth that can come with that choice.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎖️ Service Shapes Leadership: Military training builds confidence and discipline

🩺 Autonomy Becomes Essential: Downrange CRNAs may be the only anesthesia provider

🧰 Adaptability Matters: Limited resources force creative clinical thinking

📚 Training Goes Beyond Anesthesia: Military education develops broader skills

🧭 Know Your Path: Understand commitments before signing anything

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Experienced clinicians often develop techniques that work and that can make change difficult. But “we’ve always done it this way” can also keep better tools and safer workflows from getting a fair look. In this episode, Scott Imus, EdD, MSN, CRNA and Wendy Monrad, MSN, CRNA discuss deep sedation, airway management, ETCO₂ monitoring, and how the Aeris Airway helped replace years of improvised workarounds with a more consistent approach.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🛠️ Stop MacGyvering: Better tools can replace improvised setups

📈 Better Monitoring: Reliable ETCO₂ can improve sedation management

💨 Lower Flow: Oxygen can be delivered more efficiently

🧠 Challenge Habits: Familiar techniques aren’t always the best

🎓 Teach It Early: New clinicians can build better habits from day one

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Scholarship can feel like one more impossible responsibility for busy nurse anesthesia educators, but it often begins with something much simpler: a question. Why are we doing it this way? Is there a better approach? What are we seeing that the literature has not explained yet?

In this episode, hosts Louisa and Nickie welcome on Jenni Ross Majumdar, PhD, CRNA to make scholarship feel more approachable by showing how curiosity can grow into meaningful work. The larger goal is to help CRNA educators see research not as an extra burden, but as a practical way to strengthen education, improve practice, and expand their impact beyond the classroom or operating room.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🔬 Start With Questions: Everyday observations can become meaningful research

⏰ Protect the Time: Scholarship cannot live at the bottom of the list

📝 Publish Before Grants: Build evidence that you can finish and disseminate

🤝 Research Is Collaborative: Strong teams make scholarship more sustainable

📚 Share What You Learn: Dissemination expands impact beyond your own practice

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

About our guest: https://jennimajumdar.com/scholarship 

Visit the Nurse Anesthesia Research Collective: https://nurseanesthesiaresearch.org/ 

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

What does the nurse anesthesia profession look like outside the United States? At the IFNA Congress in Australia, Sharon and guest co-host Kevin Chem sit down with Toñi Ballesteros Barrado for a firsthand look at practice in Spain. Their conversation reveals a model of care that keeps nurse anesthetists closely connected to patients throughout the surgical experience.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🇪🇸 Spanish Practice: Roles span perioperative care

🎓 Training Path: Education lacks national standardization

🩺 Patient Continuum: Care extends before and after surgery

🤝 Team Model: Nurses and physicians collaborate closely

📣 Professional Recognition: Greater formal recognition remains needed

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

About our guest: https://wcna2026.com/speakers/antonia-ballesteros-barrado/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Beyond the Ether is the new clinical series from Beyond the Mask, bringing together four experienced CRNAs to talk about the science, judgment, technology, and real-world decision-making behind anesthesia practice.

In this first episode, Laura Ardizzone, MS, MBA, DNP, CRNA, Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, and Daniel King, DNP, MNA, APRN, CRNA, CPPS, CNE, introduce themselves, share the mentors and experiences that shaped their careers, and look ahead to AI, pharmacogenomics, ultrasound, perioperative optimization, and the constantly evolving future of anesthesia.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🩺 Meet the Hosts: Four CRNAs bring decades of clinical and leadership experience

🧠 Experience Matters: Mentors and lived practice shape clinical judgment

🤖 Technology Is Changing Fast: AI and big data may transform individualized care

🔬 Practice Keeps Evolving: Ultrasound, EMRs, and new systems have already rewritten anesthesia

🚀 Stay Adaptable: What works today may be obsolete sooner than expected

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Nurse anesthesia school can be demanding, isolating, and humbling, but it does not have to be experienced alone. The Nurse Anesthesiology Resident Association (NARA) is an organization run by residents for residents, and we had the opportunity to sit down with President Dazjia Green and Vice President Omar Durand at the Annual Congress in Boston.

We’ll hear how ​NARA ​serves ​the ​resident ​community and ​what ​our guests ​have ​learned ​from ​balancing ​school, ​leadership,​and ​life. They also share what resident life really feels like, how quickly confidence can swing in clinical, and why building a national community matters for the future of the profession.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🤝 Find Your Community: Residents need people who understand the experience

🎓 Build Leadership Early: NARA offers roles beyond simple membership

🌎 Expand the Network: The organization wants to grow nationwide

💰 Support Residents: Scholarships, giveaways, and events create tangible value

🩺 Normalize the Struggle: Clinical highs and lows happen to everyone

Learn more about the NARA: https://www.naraanesthesia.org/home

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

One ​of ​our ​traditions ​at ​Beyond ​the ​Mask ​is​ sitting ​down ​with ​the ​new ​AANA ​President ​​to ​talk ​about ​the ​year​ ahead, their ​vision ​for ​the ​association, ​and ​the ​challenges ​and​ opportunities ​facing ​our ​profession. This year we had the chance to sit down with Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA at the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Annual Convention as he steps into the role at an important time for nurse anesthesiology.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎯 Three Pillars: Evidence, clinical excellence, and policy drive the strategy

🏠 Professional Home: AANA wants to serve CRNAs across every career stage

📣 Member Engagement: Early-career retention remains a major focus

🩺 Anesthesia Answers: New public-facing education supports patients and CRNA visibility

📈 Build Momentum: Strategic focus and unity are central to the year ahead

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Significant perioperative loss can affect CRNAs deeply, even when there was no error and nothing could have been done differently. Yet many clinicians are never taught what those emotions may look like or how to process them.

This episode of Airway Exchange explores the emotional impact of significant perioperative loss on CRNAs and why nurse anesthesia programs need to prepare students for those experiences before they happen. Crystal Hunnicutt, DNAP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, CHSE, CWP, the Vice Chair of the AANA Health and Wellness Committee, and Jennifer Stewart-Glenn, PhD, MSN, FNP discuss their qualitative research, including themes of guilt, responsibility, isolation, self-blame, and loss of confidence, and what educators can do to create more supportive, trauma-informed responses.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🧠 Name the Experience: Perioperative loss can create profound emotional distress

⚖️ Guilt Without Fault: Clinicians may feel responsible even when no error occurred

🤝 Break the Isolation: Feeling alone was a major theme in the research

🎓 Prepare Students Early: Programs should address loss before it happens

💬 Listen, Don’t Fix: Support begins with validation, not problem-solving

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

What happens when nurse anesthesia education moves beyond the traditional classroom?

Recorded at the AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Sharon and guest co-host Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, FAANA, sit down with longtime CRNA educator Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA to explore how virtual classrooms, simulation, podcasts, VR, AI, and new teaching strategies are changing the way future CRNAs learn.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

💻 Virtual learning can expand access without lowering standards.

🤝 Mentorship remains vital—even in a digital classroom.

🧠 Understanding matters more than memorization.

🥽 VR, podcasts, and AI are reshaping CRNA education.

🎓 Great education blends didactic learning with clinical experience.

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

A career in nurse anesthesia does not have to follow one path. For Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA, it certainly did not. His career has included clinical practice, entrepreneurship, business leadership, advocacy, state association leadership, national board service, and eventually the presidency of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. But one of the most interesting parts of his story is that none of it was part of one grand plan.

The new AANA President joins Grade 1 View from Annual Congress in Boston to share how his path evolved from bedside nursing and anesthesia into entrepreneurship, advocacy, and national leadership. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🙏 Practice Gratitude: Meaningful work is worth appreciating

🤝 Lead Together: Strong boards move as one

🚀 Think Bigger: CRNA careers can extend beyond clinical care

📣 Get Involved: Advocacy often starts with one experience

🧭 Take the Next Step: Careers do not need a master plan

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

What does nurse anesthesia practice look like in Finland?

That question is at the center of this episode of Beyond the Mask, recorded at the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists meeting in Australia. Sharon and guest co-host Kevin Chem sit down with Sari Pyhälä, a Finnish RN specialized in anesthesia and perioperative care, to learn more about how her profession differs from the model many U.S. CRNAs know.

Sari explains Finland’s education pathway, the role of on-the-job training, and how nurse anesthetists work within a physician-supervised model while still taking on significant responsibility for preparing, maintaining, and safely transitioning anesthesia care.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🌍 Nurse anesthesia looks different around the world.

🎓 Finland relies heavily on on-the-job anesthesia training.

🤝 Teamwork and mutual respect drive anesthesia care.

🗣️ Workplace challenges cross countries and generations.

❤️ Sari calls nurse anesthesia “a wonderful life.”

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

About our guest: https://wcna2026.com/speakers/sari-pyhala/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Think great simulation training requires a massive budget and a high-fidelity mannequin? Jennifer McLeod, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, would disagree.

In this episode of Airway Exchange, recorded live at AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Greg sits down with Jennifer to talk about her approach to preparing the next generation of simulation educators. She explains how some of the most effective simulation experiences can be built with simple tools, thoughtful scenarios, and strong debriefing.

The central message is simple: simulation can be accessible, practical, and incredibly powerful when educators focus less on technology and more on thoughtful design, reflection, and confidence.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

• Debriefing is where much of the real learning happens.
• Simulation doesn't have to be expensive or highly technical.
• Psychological safety is essential.
• Simulation helps build clinical reasoning, not just technical skills.
• Soft skills matter just as much as medication knowledge.

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

About our guest: https://www.nku.edu/our-people/profiles/chhs/jennifer-mcleod-dnap-aprn-crna.html 

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

What does the future of the AANA and the CRNA profession look like?

Recorded live at the 2026 AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with AANA CEO Bill Bruce to discuss an organization and profession experiencing significant growth. With more than 4,700 attendees at the Congress, Bruce outlines the AANA’s newly adopted strategic plan and the three pillars designed to guide its next chapter: develop and own the evidence, define the standards of excellence, and dominate policy.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎯 AANA has a new strategic direction.

📊 AANA wants to strengthen the research and data needed to demonstrate safety, evaluate care models, support CRNA practice, and make stronger advocacy arguments.

🏛️ Policy remains a major priority.

📱 AANA is investing in new digital resources.

📈 There are strong signs of growth across the CRNA profession.

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

What is the AANA Annual Congress actually like for student and resident attendees? The Grade 1 View team takes listeners inside the 2026 meeting in Boston to discuss the sessions, speakers, networking, student events, and unexpected moments that stood out most. Levi, Kelsey, Mackenzie, and Nicolas wrap up a weekend of recording episodes from the Broadcast Booth with this episode that reflects on their experiences, with a pop in from two surprise guests.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎓 Student Perspective: Congress offers real-world professional exposure

🤝 Build Connections: Networking can create lifelong relationships

💪 Find Resilience: Community helps students reset and recharge

🌎 See the Profession: Nurse anesthesia extends far beyond clinicals

🚀 Get Involved: Leadership and advocacy opportunities start early

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Deep sedation often leaves anesthesia providers working in the space between simple oxygen delivery and a fully advanced airway. That gap can mean poor capnography, inefficient oxygen delivery, frequent airway maneuvers, and plenty of improvised solutions.

In this episode, the show’s first anesthesiologist, Dr. Rene Gonzalez, joins Sharon and Jeremy to discuss the Aeris Airway, the study behind it, and how purpose-built airway tools could help providers take a more proactive approach to patient support.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🫁 Close the Gap: Deep sedation often requires more support than standard oxygen devices can provide

📊 Improve Monitoring: Better positioning of the capnography sampling port may produce more useful CO2 data

💨 Deliver Oxygen Smarter: Device design can affect laminar versus turbulent oxygen flow

⚠️ Reduce Workarounds: Modifying equipment can add workload, inconsistency, and potential liability

🤝 Work as a Team: CRNAs and anesthesiologists can improve care by sharing knowledge and adopting better tools together

Steps to request your free AERIS Airway sample:

1. Visit https://airwayinnovations.com/ 2. In the upper-right-hand corner of the homepage, click “Request a Free Sample” and complete the sample request form 3. An AERIS Airway sample kit will ship within one business day

Download the Aeris Airway brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nxqSBMlbNhsdgiw6ylFXrr6VvSimD9Km/view?usp=drivesdk 

Read Dr. Rene Gonzalez’s study: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AERIS-Airway-AA-Practice.pdf

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

What separates a strong nurse anesthesia applicant from someone who simply looks impressive on paper?

In this episode of Airway Exchange, Erin and Louisa sit down with Leah Gordon, DNP, APRN, CRNA, program director and assistant professor in the Nurse Anesthesiology Program at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and author of The Provider Mindset: A Complete Guide to Becoming a Competitive Nurse Anesthesiology Applicant. Together, they explore what educators are really looking for during the admissions process and why GPA, ICU experience, shadowing hours, and a polished interview only tell part of the story.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🧠 Think like a provider

⚖️ Aptitude + attitude matter

🎓 GPA doesn't tell the whole story

🗣️ Don't over-rehearse the interview. 

💪 Grit matters after admission. 

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

Check out Leah’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Provider-Mindset-Competitive-Anesthesiology-Applicant/dp/B0HBH41K68/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IF2OB7CQT8N8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0utxwlqY0puqcQw3fJ3ueg.v5xgea8qbj8MhV32XnnMzPgvkmfRcI3LGUo9demDEdc&dib_tag=se&keywords=leah+gordon+crna&qid=1787008810&sprefix=leah+gordon+crna%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1 

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Recorded live from the IFNA World Congress in Australia, Sharon and special co-host Kevin Chem sat down with Associate Professor Susannah Sherlock to offer a rare look inside hospital-based hyperbaric medicine and its connection to anesthesia, critical care, surgery, wound healing, and long-term cancer recovery.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🫁 Oxygen Under Pressure: Hyperbaric therapy uses gas laws and physiology to stimulate healing

🎗️ Cancer Recovery: Many patients are treated for delayed radiation injuries

🦶 Limb Salvage: Coordinated care may prevent or reduce the extent of amputation

👂 Hearing Restoration: Early treatment can improve sudden sensorineural hearing loss

⚠️ Safety Matters: Regulated hospital care is very different from wellness-center hyperbarics

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN has spent decades practicing, advocating, leading, mentoring, and telling the stories of nurse anesthesia. But behind the titles is a career shaped by formative mentors, difficult clinical days, unexpected opportunities, and a strong sense of responsibility to the profession.

Nicolas and Kelsey have a great conversation with Sharon, not just a former AANA president and longtime voice in nurse anesthesia, but also a CRNA shaped by mentors, advocacy, hard clinical lessons, and a deep belief in giving back to the profession. She shares the stories behind her career, the people who helped build her confidence, what students can learn from difficult days, and why preserving the history of nurse anesthesia has become such an important part of her legacy.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🩺 Early Calling: Sharon knew she wanted to be a nurse from childhood and found anesthesia soon after

🧠 Learn From Everyone: Students have a unique opportunity to borrow the best habits from every CRNA they work with

💪 Hard Days Matter: Difficult clinical experiences often become the lessons you remember most

🤝 Mentors Leave Marks: A few words of encouragement can shape an entire career

🏛️ Know the History: Understanding where the profession came from helps future CRNAs understand where it can go

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Mike O’Dell, CRNA never planned on becoming a quilting entrepreneur, but a love of art, a willingness to experiment, and a push from the right mentor changed everything. What started as a handmade quilt pattern eventually became Legit Kits, a growing business that brought him all the way to Shark Tank.

In this episode, Mike shares the twists, risks, failures, and lessons behind that journey while explaining why CRNA training gave him the confidence to pursue something completely outside anesthesia. His story is a reminder of what can happen when curiosity turns into action.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎨 Creativity Matters: A lifelong interest in art eventually became the foundation for a business

🧠 Ignorance Can Help: Being a beginner forced Mike to build a system that other beginners could understand

🦈 Take the Shot: A casual Shark Tank application eventually led to a national television appearance

📈 Start Small: Legit Kits began with roughly $2,000 and grew by testing the idea before making bigger bets

🚀 Do the Thing: Progress came from acting, learning, adjusting, and refusing to wait for perfect conditions

Watch the Shark Tank appearance: https://youtu.be/1D_Zxseg0FU 

Watch the YouTube music video: https://youtu.be/a5dCJezwX0I?si=ELR74lT_st-C5HDw 

Check out Legit Kits: www.legitkits.com 

Check out the book ‘Landlord Away Your Student Loan Debt’: https://a.co/d/07afgW7X 

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Many nurse anesthesia students enter their programs with an interest in teaching, but that interest can fade without formal guidance or hands-on opportunities. The Minneapolis School of Anesthesia is addressing that gap through a student faculty mentorship track designed to prepare future educators before graduation.

In this episode, Nickie and Louisa are joined by faculty members Travis Laffoon, DNP, CRNA, APRN, Megan Kakela, DNP, CRNA, APRN, Jordan Popp, DNP, CRNA, APRN, and Grace Bedu, DNP, CRNA, APRN to discuss how the program combines mentorship, clinical release time, exam development, simulation teaching, and exposure to the realities of academic life. Their experience offers a practical model for strengthening the nurse anesthesia faculty pipeline.

Here's what you'll hear in this episode:

🎓 Start Early: Develop future educators while they are still students

🤝 Intentional Mentorship: Pair interested SRNAs with invested faculty members

📝 Teaching Preparation: Include lectures, item writing, assessment, and simulation

⏰ Protected Time: Clinical release makes meaningful participation possible

🌱 Faculty Pipeline: Graduates can return as prepared faculty or adjunct instructors

Learn more about the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia: https://www.nurseanesthesia.org/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Adam Flowe, MSN, CRNA returns to Beyond the Mask for a follow-up conversation on onco-anesthesia, cancer research, and the rapidly changing tools that may shape the future of care. After stepping away from a longtime leadership role at Duke and moving into a smaller practice setting, Adam reflects on career change, identity, and the importance of staying open to growth.

The conversation then turns to one of the biggest unresolved questions in anesthesia: does the anesthetic technique used during cancer surgery affect long-term cancer outcomes? Adam discusses why several major research studies were expected to provide clarity, how funding cuts have stalled key randomized controlled trials, and why providers are still left with more questions than answers.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🤖 AI Revolution: Transforming anesthesia and patient care

🧬 Cancer Research: Understanding the impact of funding cuts

📈 Emerging Trends: Why cancer rates are rising in younger adults

💉 Smarter Medicine: Personalizing anesthesia with artificial intelligence

📚 Lifelong Learning: Preparing for the future of healthcare

Check out the first part of this Onco-Anesthesia conversation with Adam: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/the-connection-between-cancer-anesthesia-with-adam-flowe/5356/

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

One of the biggest events in our profession is coming up in a few weeks, and the AANA Annual Congress in Boston will provide countless opportunities for RNs and future CRNAs. With educational sessions, networking opportunities, career resources, workshops, and special events happening throughout the week, having a plan can make a major difference.

With ​so ​much ​going on ​throughout ​the ​week, ​we ​thought ​it ​would ​be ​a ​perfect ​time ​to ​bring ​on ​some ​people ​who ​make ​all ​of ​this ​happen. So today Levi sits down with Hallie Evans, DNP, CRNA - AANA Senior Director of Education and Professional Development, Julie Rossberger, AANA Manager of Member Engagement and Experience, and Becky Frese, AANA Professional Practice Specialist to highlight the programming created specifically for RNs and nurse anesthesia residents.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🗺️ Curated Tracks: Follow programming designed for RNs and residents

🤝 Build Connections: Meet peers, leaders, faculty, and future employers

🎤 Interview Practice: RNs can receive direct feedback from CRNA faculty

🧠 Resident Support: Explore wellness, career, and transition resources

🎉 Congress Experience: Make time for education, networking, and community

Know Before You Go: RN Edition

Navigating Congress 2026: Your Guide to Making the Most of the Experience

Date: 8/18/26

Time: 6 pm – 7 pm CST

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YleziCZaSqagv7GI5hOPQA

2026 Annual Congress Homepage: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/

Full Congress Schedule: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/live-schedule/

Resident Highlights: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/residents/

Know Before You Go: RRNA Edition

Congress 2026 for Residents: Your Guide to Learning, Networking, and Success

Date: 8/17/2026

Time: 6 pm – 7 pm CST

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YleziCZaSqagv7GI5hOPQA

Learn more about AANA Annual Congress: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/ 

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy welcome President and CEO of Aurnova University Linda Caccamo, CRNA, DNP, MS, MBA, MHA, to discuss why advanced business education is becoming an increasingly valuable asset for healthcare professionals. With more than 30 years of clinical anesthesia experience, Linda understands what it takes to create academic programs that meet today’s workforce needs and we’ll explore all areas of that in this conversation.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎓 Leadership Development: Why clinical expertise isn't always enough

💼 Business Education: How MBAs and MHAs open new opportunities

🤖 AI in Healthcare: Preparing for the next wave of innovation

🚀 Career Growth: Expanding your influence beyond patient care

🤝 Mentorship Matters: Standing on the shoulders of those before us

Check out ’10 Leadership Roles That Open Up With Your MHA in 2026’: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MHA-10-Careers-2606.pdf

Learn more about Aurnova University: https://aurnova.com/

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

How much does the clinical learning environment shape the future of nurse anesthesia?

In this episode of Airway Exchange, Greg and Erin welcome Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA to discuss his groundbreaking research on incivility among CRNA preceptors. Together, they examine groundbreaking research showing that more than three-quarters of nurse anesthesia residents reported experiencing some form of incivility during training, while exploring why these situations occur and what educators, preceptors, and clinical leaders can do to improve the experience for everyone involved.

Rather than simply identifying the problem, this conversation focuses on practical solutions.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🏥 OR Culture: Understanding incivility in clinical education

📊 New Research: What 300+ survey responses revealed

🧠 Resilience vs. Wellness: Preparing students for difficult environments

🤝 Preceptor Training: Equipping mentors for success

📈 Leadership Impact: Why healthy cultures improve recruitment and retention 

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Recorded live from the IFNA World Congress in Australia, Sharon and special co-host Kevin Chem welcome Richard Henker, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, whose work with the World Health Organization and the G4 Alliance is helping reshape global anesthesia through data. We’ll explore ​how ​the ​Operative ​and ​Encounter ​Registry ​serves ​as ​a ​simple ​point ​of ​care ​tool ​that ​allows ​anesthesia ​providers ​to ​capture ​essential ​surgical ​and ​anesthesia ​data, ​making ​our ​care ​visible ​in ​ways ​it ​hasn't ​been ​before.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🌍 Global Advocacy – Using data to influence healthcare policy worldwide

📊 The Operative Encounter Registry – Making anesthesia care measurable

🏥 Improving Access – Why data matters for expanding surgical care

👩‍⚕️ The Role of CRNAs – Supporting safe anesthesia in underserved regions

🤝 Building the Future – Collaboration with WHO, IFNA, and G4 Alliance

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

About our guest: https://wcna2026.com/speakers/dr-richard-henker/

Learn more about the Operative Encounter Registry: https://theg4alliance.org/oer-cop/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Every nurse anesthesia student loses sleep over clinicals, wondering whether they’re prepared enough to keep up. The truth? Everyone struggles in the beginning, even the students who seem to have it all together.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, Mackenzie leads the discussion with Levi and Nicolas to share honest stories from their first months in clinicals. They’ll open up about embarrassing mistakes and imposter syndrome, while providing lessons on stress management and learning to laugh at yourself, this conversation is a reassuring reminder that becoming a CRNA is a journey—not a test of perfection. If you're about to start clinicals, this is the conversation you'll wish you heard on day one.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

😬 First-Day Nerves: Walking into the OR for the first time

💉 Clinical Mistakes: The embarrassing moments everyone experiences

🧠 Mental Resilience: Coping with criticism and difficult days

🤝 Finding Great Mentors: The impact of supportive preceptors

❤️ Perspective & Growth: Why mistakes are part of becoming a CRNA

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

In this episode of Beyond the Mask, former AANA presidents Sandy Ouellette, CRNA and Dick Ouellette, CRNA join Sharon and Jeremy explore the only three amicus briefs ever filed by the AANA (and its predecessor, NANA). From the 1934 Dagmar Nelson case to the antitrust battles of the 1980s, they explain how these legal efforts defended CRNA practice, challenged misinformation, and laid the foundation for the profession's continued autonomy. It's an essential history lesson for every nurse anesthetist and a reminder that today's opportunities were earned through decades of advocacy.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

⚖️ Three Historic Briefs – The only amicus briefs ever filed by the AANA

👩‍⚕️ Dagmar Nelson's Legacy – The case that secured CRNAs' legal right to administer anesthesia

🏛️ Antitrust Battles – Protecting fair competition and CRNA practice

📚 Lessons from History – Why every CRNA should know these stories

🤝 Advocacy Matters – How legal action continues to shape the profession

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Item analysis can sound intimidating, especially for educators who were trained as clinicians first and teachers second. But when used well, it can become one of the most valuable tools for improving assessments, clarifying instruction, and supporting student success.

In this episode of Airway Exchange, hosts Erin and Louisa welcome in Valerie Diaz, DNP, CRNA, PMHNP-BC, APRN, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, CAPT (Ret), USN and Pedro Hernandez, DNP, CRNA, APRN to break down the importance of item analysis, a topic they presented at AANA’s EDGE event earlier this year.

Just as CRNAs constantly refine their clinical practice, educators should continually evaluate, reflect, and improve the tools they use to assess learning. Better assessments lead to better education. Better education ultimately leads to better patient care.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

📊 Item Analysis: Using data to improve assessments

🎯 Better Questions: Writing exams that truly measure learning

👩‍🏫 Teaching Growth: Letting assessment data shape instruction

📚 Student Success: Building trust through fair evaluations

🔍 Continuous Improvement: Becoming a stronger educator every semester

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Retirement for CRNAs is much more than just reaching a savings goal. It's about deciding what kind of life you want to live, and that often means asking difficult questions about your home, your possessions, your finances, and even your identity. While popular retirement advice often focuses on what to sell before you retire, the better question is whether those things still support the life you're trying to build.

In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon turns the microphone around and interviews Jeremy, a Certified Financial Planner®, about a viral retirement video that has generated millions of views. Together, they explore whether the financial advice in this video makes sense in real life. Through stories from CRNAs they've worked with over the years, we'll provide some practical guidance for creating a retirement that's intentional, fulfilling, and uniquely your own.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🏡 The Right Home – Should you downsize before retirement?

👨‍👩‍👧 Helping Adult Children – Knowing when generosity becomes a financial burden

🚐 Expensive Toys – When boats, RVs, and vacation homes stop bringing joy

🚗 Lifestyle Choices – Do retirees really need two cars?

🎯 Retiring To Something – Why purpose matters as much as your portfolio

Watch the video we referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IltvyKpy8Z4 

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Graduation is in sight, boards are on the horizon, and one of the biggest decisions of your career is quickly approaching: choosing your first CRNA job. With demand at an all-time high and opportunities across the country, it's easy to focus on salary alone, but the best career decisions involve much more than compensation.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, hosts Kelsey and Levi welcome Mackenzie Munoz, Director of Partner Success at MedGeo and Tonya Hamlin, Regional Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search to discuss how SRNAs/RRNAs can confidently navigate the job search process. Both of these companies partner with the AANA to run the MOTION platform so they’ll be able to provide invaluable insight into the many factors SRNAs will evaluate when picking that first CRNA job.

Join us for the chance to discover how to effectively navigate your job search and make informed decisions that align with your career aspirations.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🗺️ Using MOTION – Why it's more than a traditional job board

📋 Evaluating Offers – Looking beyond salary when comparing positions

📞 Understanding Call – The questions every SRNA/RRNA should ask

🤝 Interview Success – Common mistakes and negotiation strategies

🏡 Finding the Right Fit – Balancing career goals with lifestyle priorities

Access the AANA Motion Platform: https://www.aana.com/motion-crna-career-platform/ 

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Recorded live from the IFNA World Congress in Australia, we sat down with physician and Dr. Jonathan Chejfec of the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Anesthesiology to examine one of the most significant patient safety events in recent anesthesia history. Together, they explore how healthcare can move from blame to learning, why human factors matter, and what organizations everywhere can do to build safer systems before tragedy occurs.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🌍 The Mexico Outbreak – Understanding what happened and why it mattered

⚠️ Systems vs. Individuals – Why catastrophic failures rarely stem from one mistake

🧰 Unsafe Workarounds – How everyday adaptations became normalized

✈️ Lessons from Aviation – Building proactive safety cultures

🤝 The Patient Perspective – Why those affected should help redesign healthcare systems

About our guest: https://wcna2026.com/speakers/dr-jonathan-chejfec/

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode of Airway Exchange, Erin and Greg sit down with Yasmine Campbell, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, a clinical associate professor at Florida International University and member of the AANA Education Committee. The episode discusses strategies for writing better exams, the growing role of AI, and creating meaningful professional development opportunities for CRNA faculty.

​Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

📊 Item Analysis – Using data to improve exams and fairness

🎓 Board Preparation – Helping students succeed on the NCE

🧠 Test-Taking Skills – Building confidence beyond content knowledge

🤖 AI in Education – Opportunities, concerns, and responsible use

👩‍🏫 Faculty Development – Strengthening the future of CRNA education

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Healthcare innovation is often associated with software developers, startup founders, and technology companies. But what if some of the most important solutions to healthcare's biggest challenges are sitting inside operating rooms, classrooms, and clinical settings every day? CRNAs and nurses see problems firsthand, yet they are rarely invited into the rooms where solutions are created.

In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy welcome nurse entrepreneur Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL and AANA Senior Innovation Specialist Cherissa Jackson to discuss the upcoming AANA Hackathon at the AANA Annual Congress. This event creates a space for clinicians, educators, students, and innovators to collaborate and develop solutions for the daily challenges CRNAs see firsthand.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

💡 Innovation Mindset – Learning to think beyond the status quo

🤝 Collaboration – Solving problems through teamwork

🚀 Hackathon Experience – What participants can expect

🎤 Finding Your Voice – Empowering CRNAs to lead change

🏥 Future Solutions – Improving healthcare through innovation

Reserve your spot at the 2026 AANA Hackathon: https://share.hsforms.com/1IVEbc-ymRGejiLnE8eRmuw4rpz6?utm_campaign=Congress26&utm_source=aana_com&utm_medium=congress_events_page

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Today we’re tackling something that every single SRNA needs to understand before signing their very first employment contract, and that’s protecting our livelihood once we graduate.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, hosts Mackenzie and Nicolas sit down with Bryan Doyle, ME, RPLU, Acting Vice President of AANA Insurance Services and Lisa Kiska, RPLU+, Supervisor, Underwriting & Customer Service at AANA Insurance Services to break down the essentials of malpractice insurance to better prepare every SRNA for the realities of the workplace.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🛡️ Malpractice Basics – What every SRNA should understand

📄 Contract Pitfalls – Hidden insurance clauses to watch for

💰 Tail Coverage – The expensive surprise many providers miss

⚖️ Claims & Lawsuits – What happens when you're named

🏥 1099 vs W2 – How insurance responsibilities change

Get a Malpractice Estimate from AANA Insurance Services: https://malpracticeinsurance.aana.com/get-estimate/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Nurses are consistently ranked as the most trusted profession in America. So why aren't more nurses helping shape the conversations that influence healthcare policy, patient education, technology, and innovation?

In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon and guest co-host Laura Ardizzone, MS, MBA, DNP, CRNA welcome Stroke Certified Registered Nurse, podcaster, author, and healthcare communicator Rosa Hart for a conversation about the power of storytelling, communication, and advocacy in modern healthcare.

Drawing from her experiences in stroke care, podcasting, and healthcare media, Rosa explains why nurses possess a unique ability to translate complex medical information into meaningful conversations that patients and families can understand. She shares how witnessing remarkable stroke recoveries inspired her passion for education and discusses how communication may be one of the most overlooked clinical skills in healthcare.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🗣️ Nurses have a unique ability to translate complex healthcare information.

🧠 Most strokes are preventable through better health management and blood pressure control.

🎙️ Storytelling and media can educate far more people than one-on-one interactions alone.

💡 Healthcare professionals shouldn't wait for permission to share their expertise.

🚀 Small voices can create big change when focused on solving problems.

About our guest: https://nurserosaspeaks.com/

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

CRNA education has never been more demanding.

As nurse anesthesia programs have evolved into rigorous 36-month doctoral programs, educators are seeing increasing levels of stress, anxiety, burnout, and mental health challenges among students.

So how can faculty better support students while maintaining the high standards required of the profession?

In this episode of Airway Exchange, hosts Nickie and Erin welcome Gerard Hogan, DNSc., APRN-BC, CRNA, FAANA, LtCol, USAF (ret.), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, educator, and researcher, for an important conversation about resilience in nurse anesthesia education. Dr. Hogan discusses his research on resilience among nurse anesthesia residents and explains why resilience is a skill that can be taught, strengthened, and developed over time.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🧠 Resilience is a skill that can be taught and strengthened.

💬 Students should never be afraid to ask for help.

🌱 Small habits like mindfulness and reflection build resilience over time.

🤝 Faculty play a critical role in creating supportive learning environments.

⚖️ High standards and compassion can coexist in CRNA education.

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

About our guest: https://pc.fsu.edu/person/gerard-hogan-dnsc-aprn-bc-crna-faana-ltcol-usaf-ret

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Every healthcare professional carries a story.

Some are inspiring. Some are heartbreaking. Some quietly shape who we become as clinicians, educators, leaders, and people.

But what happens when those stories are never told?

In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon and guest co-host Laura L. Ardizzone, MS, MBA, DNP, CRNA welcome nurse educator, author, and storyteller Mary Ellen Miller, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC for a powerful conversation about narrative medicine, reflective writing, grief, healing, and the courage it takes to share personal experiences with the world.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🩺 Narrative medicine reminds us that listening to patients' stories is just as important as clinical expertise.

✍️ Reflective writing and journaling can help healthcare professionals process difficult experiences and avoid carrying them alone.

❤️ Many forms of grief often go unrecognized and unspoken.

🚀 Sharing your story takes courage, but perseverance through rejection can create meaningful impact for people facing similar challenges.

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Get a copy of Secret Sorrow: https://nongrandparent.com/

About our guest co-host: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/laura-ardizzone

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

June is Pride Month, and on this episode of Grade 1 View, Levi and Kelsey sit down with John Gianitsis, MSNA, CRNA and Carlota Izaguirre, DNP, CRNA and from the Nurse Anesthesiology Pride Foundation (NAPF) to discuss representation, belonging, mental health, and community within the nurse anesthesia profession. We’ll also explore the organization's evolution from GALA to NAPF and the important role it plays in supporting LGBTQ+ CRNAs, students, and allies.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏳️‍🌈 Representation matters. Patients and providers benefit when healthcare teams reflect diverse communities.

🤝 Community can be a powerful antidote to isolation, especially during CRNA training and early practice.

🧠 Mental health support, mentorship, and meaningful relationships are essential for long-term success.

💬 Inclusive patient care often comes down to simple acts of respect, communication, and advocacy.

🎓 NAPF continues to support future CRNAs through scholarships, networking opportunities, and professional development.

About our guest: https://www.crnapride.com/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Could you imagine working in a rural location where access is truly a lifeline for people? Today’s guest is April Erickson, DNP, CRNA, an ​Alaska ​based ​nurse ​anesthesiologist ​and ​anesthesia ​medical ​director ​with ​more ​than ​15 ​years ​of ​experience ​in ​rural ​independent ​practice.

Sharon and guest host Jackie Rowles, DNP, MBA, MA, CRNA, ANP-BC, NSPM-C, FNAP, FAANA, FAAN, sit down with April to discuss frontier medicine, independent practice, leadership, and what it truly means to provide care where access is critical but not guaranteed.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🚁 Weather and geography can delay patient transport for days

🐻 Providers manage unique trauma cases including bear attacks and fishing injuries

⚖️ Leadership and advocacy are essential for protecting independent practice

🧠 Solo practice demands constant vigilance and multiple contingency plans

🌍 Frontier medicine requires creativity, resilience, and broad clinical expertise

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

What if CRNA school interviews have been measuring the wrong things all along?

In this episode of Airway Exchange, Vicente Gonzalez, DNP, CRNA and Ann Miller, DNP, CRNA, faculty from Florida International University, break down their groundbreaking new admissions interview process designed to assess what traditional interviews often miss: resilience, adaptability, teamwork, critical thinking, and emotional regulation.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🧠 Traditional CRNA interviews often reward rehearsed answers—not authentic ability

🎯 The new process focuses on resilience, critical thinking, and adaptability

🤝 Teamwork and communication are assessed in live group scenarios

⚖️ Structured rubrics help reduce interviewer bias

💉 CCRN-level knowledge is used instead of anesthesia-specific trick questions

Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram

Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Most CRNAs have never heard the name Florence Boswell.

But maybe they should have.

In this fascinating historical episode of Beyond the Mask, former AANA president Debra Malina, CRNA, MBA, DNSc, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, uncover the remarkable story of Florence Boswell, a nurse anesthetist, aviation pioneer, charter member of the National Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and one of the earliest women pilots in America.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🏛️ She signed the original NANA charter in 1931

🧠 Boswell trained under anesthesia pioneer Agatha Hodgins

🌍 She became one of the earliest instrument-rated female pilots in the world

🚁 Florence founded her own aviation company in Ohio

👩‍⚕️ Early nurse anesthetists often faced major professional and societal barriers

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

What really happens after CRNA school ends?

In this episode of Grade 1 View, former host Kevin Chem, DNP, CRNA returns to the show nearly a year into practice to talk honestly about the transition from SRNA to CRNA, from the stress of boards and credentialing to the emotional reality of walking into the OR independently for the first time.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📚 Consistency and repetition matter more than using multiple study resources

🏥 The first few months as a CRNA come with real growing pains

🤝 Strong workplace culture and mentorship matter more than people realize

🌍 CRNAs are making a growing impact globally through IFNA initiatives

🎓 Graduation is not the finish line—professional growth continues afterward

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

What happens when anesthesia providers from around the world come together in one place?

In this special recap episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon is joined by Erin Foley, DNAP, MSNA, CRNA, FAANA, and TxANA Vice President Jennifer Andersen, MSNA, CRNA to look back on their experience attending the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) Congress in Australia. Find out what we learned, what surprised us, and why these meetings matter so much to our profession.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🏛️ Many countries are still fighting for recognition and autonomy

🎓 The U.S. remains a global leader in nurse anesthesia education and practice

🤝 International collaboration strengthens advocacy and leadership efforts

💉 Providers worldwide face different challenges but share common goals

📈 Many countries are working toward higher education standards and expanded scope

Learn more about the IFNA World Congresses: https://ifna.site/etusivu/congresses/

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1