Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

The political and legal landscape of nurse anesthesia is constantly shifting for CRNAs and the threats to our autonomy are real. But so are the opportunities, and that’s why we wanted Elizabeth Bamgbose, PhD, CRNA to join us for this conversation.  She’s a CRNA, educator, practice owner, and a fierce political advocate, and we’re going to break down everything CRNAs must understand about scope of practice, opt-out rules, bylaws, credentialing, and how power structures shape your daily practice more than most realize. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🏛️ Know Your Regulators - State Nurse Practice Acts, Boards of Nursing, and CMS rules all affect scope — and don’t always agree. 📜 Bylaws = Your Real Power - Institutional bylaws can override practical independence, even in opt-out states. 🗳️ Opt-Out Isn’t a Free Pass - Federal opt-out removes supervision defaults but hospitals can still require supervision internally. 🧭 Political Literacy Matters - CRNAs who avoid politics still live inside political decisions. Knowing the system protects your practice. 🤝 Use Your Practice Division - Your state practice division and lobbyists are crucial allies when your institution or regulators push back.   About our guest: https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/elizabeth-blu-bamgbose/ Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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 Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

The “Big Beautiful Bill” has created some concerns in the nurse anesthesia community, especially for future CRNAs who were left wondering what it means for their education, their financial reality, and the future of the profession. In this special episode of Grade 1 View, Greg Collins, DNP, CRNA and Michelle Canale, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA join Olivia and Kevin to break down what the Department of Education’s proposed borrowing caps really mean. They explain why the issue goes far beyond degree nomenclature, why CRNA education is so costly to deliver, and how the new limits could create barriers for students who simply cannot work during training. This latest legislation is just another reminder that advocacy for our profession is as important as ever. Current and future CRNAs need to be proactive in voicing their concerns and participating in advocacy efforts, and the AANA is there to help provide updates and actionable steps to help you stay informed and involved. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💸 The Real Issue: Borrowing Caps 🏥 CRNAs Are Trained Like Physicians 🧑‍⚕️ A Workforce Crisis Is Already Here 📣 Advocacy Will Decide the Outcome 🌱 The Profession Is Still Worth It   Check out Greg on the Airway Exchange Podcast: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/airwayexchange/ Learn more about the AANA Board of Directors: https://www.aana.com/about-us/leadership/board-of-directors/ 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

Direct laryngoscopy vs. video laryngoscopy — which one should be the standard? In this lively and highly practical clinical debate, Sharon and Jeremy are joined by CRNA leaders Laura Ardizzone, MS, MBA, DNP, CRNA and Karen Maresch, DNAP, CRNA to explore the evidence, training differences, outcomes, technology trends, and real-world experiences behind DL and VL. We’re going to dig into everything from first-pass success rates and airway injuries to teaching techniques, skill deterioration, and why newer providers often learn differently than seasoned clinicians. Is one truly better than the other? We’ll weigh both sides to try to answer that question today. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🔍 DL vs. VL Basics – The core differences and why clinicians care. 👀 Training & Teaching – How VL improves education and real-time coaching. 🩺 Safety & First-Pass Success – Why VL boosts outcomes, especially in difficult airways. 🧠 Skill Retention – Why DL skills fade without practice — and VL isn’t immune either. 🤖 The Future: Tech & AI – How imaging, documentation, and decision support will reshape airway management.   Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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 Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Faculty members are the backbone of every nurse anesthesia program, yet their own wellness is often overlooked. Over the next month, we’re shining the spotlight on wellness, and the first of three episodes features two special nurse anesthesia educator guests. Today, hosts Louisa Martin, PhD, CRNA and Erin Martin, APRN, CRNA, DNP sit down with Leigh Taylor, DNP, MS, CRNA and Crystal Hunnicutt, DNAP, CRNA, two leaders of the AANA Wellness Committee, to discuss the real challenges facing CRNA educators today. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🩺 Faculty Wellness Is in Crisis - Strained staffing, expanded workloads, and unrealistic expectations are driving educator burnout. 🧠 Personal Stories That Sparked a Mission - Lee and Crystal share the losses and turning points that pulled them into wellness advocacy. 🧱 Boundaries Aren’t Optional - Why answering emails at 10 p.m., hiding stress, and “pushing through” is harming faculty culture. 🤝 Mentorship & Support Matter - Healthy programs have transparent communication, aligned workloads, and peer support. 🎓 AANA Wellness Microcredential - A powerful resource — and free for SRNAs — that builds campus-wide wellness awareness.   Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request   Wellness Resources: https://www.aana.com/membership/here-for-you/health-and-wellness/wellness-educational-resources/   Wellness Microcredential: https://ce.aana.com/proficiency/?_ga=2.96896415.1682082360.1724073777-1237658414.1717446176&_gac=1.216577636.1720721506.Cj0KCQjwhb60BhClARIsABGGtw-yYL9Nezmf5Td3FLBFijteNi6yQRbclD1ZvVrXcxRj4meAw1ULW2UaArOVEALw_wcB&_gl=1*obh08c*_ga*MTg1NTE3NDkwMi4xNzUxNTYwMzg1*_ga_N61713VJEF*czE3NjQ2NDQ3MDgkbzg2JGcxJHQxNzY0NjQ0NzY1JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..*_ga_EWGE3RE233*czE3NjQ2NDQ3MDgkbzcwJGcxJHQxNzY0NjQ0NzY1JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..   Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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

This Thanksgiving, Beyond the Mask celebrates gratitude, giving, and the CRNAs who make a difference every day. Joining us for this special episode is John Yauger, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, the new CEO of the AANA Foundation, to discuss how the Foundation is shaping the future of nurse anesthesia through research, scholarships, and community support. It’s an opportunity to shine a light on one of the cornerstones of our profession and reflect on everything they’re doing to continue helping push the anesthesia profession forward. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🦃 Thanksgiving Reflections: Gratitude for the CRNA community and the power of giving back. 💉 Meet John Yauger: The new CEO of the AANA Foundation shares his journey from combat CRNA to servant leader. 🏛️ The Foundation’s Three Pillars: Philanthropy, research, and scholarly development explained. 🤝 The CRNA Connection: How donations directly fund scholarships, research, and professional growth. 🧱 Building Legacy: Inside the Friends for Life program and lasting ways to give.   Learn more about the AANA Executive Team: https://www.aana.com/about-us/leadership/aana-executive-team/   Learn more about the AANA Foundation: https://www.aana.com/aana-foundation/   Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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 Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Ageism might not be the first ‘ism’ that comes to mind in healthcare, but it’s one that affects every provider eventually. Today’s guest, Cynthia Farina, DNP, CRNA, RN, CNE, is an educator who has devoted much of her life to advocating for wellness, inclusion, and professional longevity. She joins Kevin and Charity to break down the subtle ways age bias shows up in anesthesia—from assumptions about “slowing down” to underestimating younger providers—and how both ends of the spectrum can experience its effects. Dr. Farina was recently part of an AANA webinar titled Respect Across the Lifespan: Tackling Ageism in Anesthesia, and her message today is clear: if you’re lucky, you’ll age too—so build a profession that welcomes wisdom, not just youth. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 👩‍⚕️ Ageism cuts both ways – Bias can affect both older and younger clinicians. 🧠 Beware of meta-stereotyping – Don’t internalize limiting beliefs about aging or learning. 🗣️ Language matters – Avoid infantilizing patients. Use names and respect. 🔄 Inclusion across generations – Collaboration and mentorship strengthen the CRNA community. 💪 Grace and adaptability – Aging brings change, but not irrelevance—keep learning and leading.   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

Private equity is reshaping healthcare—but at what cost? In this eye-opening episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon and Jeremy welcome back Daniel King, DNP, MNA, CRNA, CPPS, CNE and Jennifer Banek, MSN, MHA, CRNA for a candid conversation about how private equity ownership affects anesthesia and beyond. They explain how investor-driven models prioritize profit over patient care, share real-world stories of unsafe conditions and staff cutbacks, and reveal how financial engineering often leaves hospitals saddled with debt. Keep in mind, not all private equity is bad or creates the problems we discuss in this episode. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🚩 Red flags – Leadership churn, “efficiency” buzzwords, inflated wages, and bounced checks. 🩺 Patient safety at risk – Missing equipment, delayed prosthetics, and reduced staffing. ⚖️ Legal & financial fallout – Collapsed malpractice carriers left clinicians exposed. 📢 Advocacy matters – Transparency, documentation, and community awareness drive change.   Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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 Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate  Support Team Emma Kate: https://grouprev.com/haloswalk2024-shannon-shannon-brekken

In this episode of Airway Exchange, the team explores the transition from clinician to educator and the role mentorship plays in the process. Becky Motykiewicz, DNAP, CRNA joins Nickie Damico, Erin Martin, and Greg Collins to discuss what drew her to teaching, how mentorship shaped her journey, and the emotional realities that come with stepping into academia. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 👩‍🏫 Mentorship matters — a simple tap on the shoulder can change a career. 🌱 Identity shift is real — moving from expert clinician to novice educator brings imposter syndrome. 🧠 You don’t have to be perfect — your first lecture won’t be your best, and that’s okay. 💬 Students are the reward — watching their confidence grow is what keeps educators going. 💼 Work–life balance takes intention — boundaries, breaks, and movement are essential. 🩺 Keep your clinical practice — maintaining skills supports credibility and satisfaction.   Didactic Educator Micro-Credential Information: https://crnaeducationedge.aana.com/Public/Catalog/Details.aspx?id=mEigQMFxphlUI%2fEvoRx8Fg%3d%3d&returnurl=%2fUsers%2fUserOnlineCourse.aspx%3fLearningActivityID%3dmEigQMFxphlUI%252fEvoRx8Fg%253d%253d  Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request   Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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 it take to deliver anesthesia in a hospital with no ventilator, scarce medication, and power that cuts out mid-surgery? Today we’re joined by Dr. Mark Newton, pediatric anesthesiologist and longtime medical missionary, Mary Mungai, one of Kenya’s first licensed nurse anesthetists and a leader in anesthesia education across East Africa; and Jackie Rowles, IFNA President and founder of Our Hearts Your Hands will take ​you ​far ​beyond ​the ​walls ​of ​the ​US ​Hospitals ​and ​surgery ​centers ​into ​low ​income ​countries ​where ​nurse ​anesthetists ​are ​delivering ​care ​under ​some ​of ​the ​most ​resource-limited ​and ​demanding ​conditions ​in ​the ​world.   Together, they share extraordinary stories of resilience, courage, and compassion — from training the first nurse anesthetists in Kenya to bringing safe anesthesia to war-torn regions like South Sudan and Somaliland. It’s a look at how education, mentorship, and global partnerships are transforming access to safe surgical care — one provider, one patient, and one country at a time. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🌍 Global Perspective: An inside look at CRNAs serving in Africa’s most resource-limited hospitals. 🇰🇪 Kenya’s First Nurse Anesthetist: Mary Mungai’s story of building training programs from the ground up. 💉 Training the Trainers: How education multiplies impact across borders. ⚕️ The Supply Crisis: Performing surgery without halothane, oxygen, or IV fluids. 🤝 Collaboration Over Competition: How CRNAs and physicians work side by side to save lives. 💖 A Global Call to Action: “We didn’t choose where we were born — but we can choose to help.”   Learn more about Our Heart Your Hands: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/  Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 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 Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

This week we’re shining a light on the critical role that CRNAs play in rural healthcare, especially in honor of National Rural Health Month (November). Hosts Kevin and Olivia are joined by two dedicated CRNAs, Pete Hext and Hayden Hayes, who share their personal experiences and the unique challenges they face while providing anesthesia care in rural Texas. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌾 CRNAs provide over 80% of anesthesia care in rural America, often as the only provider for miles. 💉 Independence and collaboration are key — every case requires adaptability and calm under pressure. 🚑 Real-life stories reveal the high-stakes moments that test skill and composure in small-town hospitals. 🤝 Long-term patient relationships create trust, community connection, and professional pride. 🧠 Key advice: Stay humble, stay safe, and let your anesthesia do the talking.   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