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Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs — Health
Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

A podcast for the CRNA industry. Discussing the important issues that happen both in, and beyond, the operating room. With Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN and Jeremy Stanley, EA, CFP, AIF. Innovations & opportunities for CRNAs & APRNs. Visit our website for more great information https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ and to learn how you can get CE Credit as a CRNA just by listening to the podcast. Don’t miss our special series on CRNA History, CRNA Personal Finance & Retirement, Political Conversations, CRNA Career Issues, and our leadership series called Courage To Lead. Check out new episodes of Beyond The Mask every week with distinguished guests from the CRNA community… #anesthesiology #rn #surgery #healthcare #nurseanesthesiologist #crnaschool #nursing #srnalife #nurselife #nursingstudent #ornurse #nurseanesthesia #crnalife #nursepractitioner #medschool #anesthesialife #scrublife #icunurse #hospital #futurecrna #medical #crna #nurse #anesthesia #srna #nurseanesthetist #nurses #surgical #operatingtheatre #medicalstudent #operatingroomnurse #studentnurse #diversitycrna #ccrn #nursepractitioner #APRN #APRNchat #NPchat #midwife #NP

Copyright: © Copyright 2018 All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

The Three Legal Battles That Shaped the CRNA Profession Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

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

Airway Exchange – Ep. 22 – Improving Anesthesia Education Through Item Analysis Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

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

5 Things Every CRNA Should Consider Selling Before Retirement Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

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

Grade 1 View – S2, E14 - Beyond the Salary: Finding Your First CRNA Position Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

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

When Systems Fail: The Fungal Meningitis Outbreak in Mexico Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

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

Airway Exchange – Ep. 21 - The Science Behind Fair Testing with Dr. Yasmine Campbell Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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

AANA Hackathon: Innovation Isn’t Just for Tech Companies Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

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

Grade 1 View – S2, E13 – Navigating Malpractice Insurance: A Must for Future CRNAs Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

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

Stories That Can Heal with Rosa Hart Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

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

Airway Exchange – Ep. 20 – Teaching Resilience in Nurse Anesthesia Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

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

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