Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

In a world where access to healthcare can vary dramatically, the role of global outreach initiatives has never been more critical. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by nurse anesthesia doctoral student Chris Wheelock to ​discuss ​the ​impact ​of ​global ​outreach ​and ​how ​an ​initiative ​he ​was ​involved ​in ​is ​shaping ​the ​future ​of ​global ​health ​care. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🌍 Only 1 anesthesia provider per 100,000 people in parts of Africa 📚 The cost to train a nurse anesthetist 🧠 Why long-term investment beats short-term missions 💡 How culture, continuity, and context create better outcomes 💸 A new scholarship that connects donors to students and real change 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 Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

We dive into the latest research on ketamine's therapeutic potential, including its role in treating ischemic stroke, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and PTSD. You'll hear how scientists are studying its effects on brain regions like the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as its impact on neuroinflammation, fear memory, and neurogenesis.   We'll also explore ketamine’s use in anesthesia, its interactions with drugs like oral morphine, and how it's monitored using tools like EEG. From molecular techniques like RT-qPCR and Western blotting to real-world applications—this episode breaks down the science driving ketamine's future in medicine.   Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🧠 Ketamine’s impact on brain function, cognition, and EEG readings 🧬 NMDA receptors, BDNF, cytokines & other molecular targets 📉 How ketamine may raise delirium risk in cognitively impaired patients 🧪 In vitro studies on ketamine’s anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential 📊 Why EEG interpretation—not just BIS numbers—matters for patient safety   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 

CRNAs bring technical precision and expertise to the operating room, but our most powerful impact might be how we show up for our patients during their most vulnerable moments. In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with Casi Short, a CRNA who developed a compassionate care program for women experiencing pregnancy loss. Hear how her own fertility struggles and second-trimester losses inspired her to create a supportive program at her hospital for women facing similar grief. This ​is ​a ​story ​of ​heart ​healing ​and ​the ​quiet ​strength ​it ​takes ​to ​stand ​beside ​someone ​in ​their ​darkest ​hour, ​​and ​how ​one ​CRNA ​is ​helping ​transform ​loss ​into ​love ​through ​meaningful ​change. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 👶 The personal losses that led Casi to change the system 🏥 How to humanize pregnancy loss care inside the OR 🧸 Why a simple comfort bear can make a lasting impact 🧠 Addressing staff well-being after traumatic cases ❤️ Being courageous enough to “embrace the awkward”   🎗 Beyond the Mask is honored to once again sponsor a team for the HALOS Memorial Walk on August 2nd. HALOS is a nonprofit offering hope and healing to families who’ve lost a child, including Sharon when she lost her granddaughter, Emma. This powerful organization is run by parents who truly understand. To join our team or donate, visit the support page here: https://www.givemn.org/story/Boi21g 💛   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 

What does wellness really look like for nurse anesthesia residents? Today, Kevin and Charity chat with second-year nurse anesthesia resident Cassie Keefe, co-chair of the AANA Resident Wellness Committee, to answer real questions submitted by residents across the country. From burnout and self-doubt to meal prep and mental health, Cassie, Kevin, and Charity share their strategies for academic and clinical success.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Coping with burnout, imposter syndrome, and clinical self-doubt  🍱 Meal prep tips, grocery shortcuts, and SRNA nutrition hacks  🩺 Balancing wellness with high expectations in clinical  📚 Study strategies and the magic of Anki, Apex, and time-blocking  🫶 How to set boundaries with family & stay connected   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

Before ​we ​get ​started ​with ​today's ​show, ​we ​want ​to ​take ​a ​moment ​to ​dedicate ​this ​episode ​to ​someone ​very ​special. ​Emma, ​Sharon's ​granddaughter ​and ​the ​daughter ​of ​today's ​guest ​co-​host ​Michelle, ​was ​born ​prematurely ​and ​spent ​her ​short ​life ​in ​the ​NICU. ​She ​passed ​away ​just ​three ​days ​after ​she ​was ​born. ​Today's ​episode ​is released on ​Emma's ​birthday ​and ​we're ​honored ​to ​share ​it ​in ​her ​memory. Our guest today is a mother and former labor and delivery nurse who has become an incredible entrepreneur. Ashley Crafton joins us to share the incredible story behind her startup, Galena Innovations, and the development of the Hannah Cervical Cup, a device designed to help prevent spontaneous preterm birth. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🛠️ How Ashley built a life-saving device from a nurse’s heartbreak ✈️ Stories from war zones: evacuating pregnant women in Afghanistan and Ukraine 🧬 The science of cervical tissue and the Hannah Cup breakthrough 💪 Why nurses and moms are perfect innovators and what holds them back   🎗 Beyond the Mask is honored to once again sponsor a team for the HALOS Memorial Walk on August 2nd. HALOS is a nonprofit offering hope and healing to families who’ve lost a child, including Sharon when she lost her granddaughter, Emma. This powerful organization is run by parents who truly understand. To join our team or donate, visit the support page here: https://www.givemn.org/story/Boi21g 💛   About our guest: https://www.galenainnovations.com/ 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 

The ​nursing ​profession ​has ​always ​been ​a ​cornerstone ​of ​the ​healthcare ​system, ​but ​in ​recent ​years, ​the ​pressure, ​burnout ​and ​emotional ​toll ​have ​reached ​crisis ​levels. That’s why we wanted to spend time with functional health expert Vince Pitstick, founder & CEO of Vidal Coaching, to help bring awareness to the hidden epidemic facing America’s nursing workforce. Vince draws on decades of experience as a coach and advocate for holistic wellness to reveal how chronic stress, broken reimbursement models, immune system overload, and poor nutritional support are pushing nurses to their breaking point. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🧠 The real reasons behind emotional burnout and chronic stress in nurses 💉 Why today’s healthcare model is failing the very people who keep it running 📊 Shocking stats about nurse health, weight gain, and metabolic strain 🌡️ How adrenaline, cortisol, and blood sugar wreak havoc on the body ❄️ The surprising power of cold plunges and breathwork to reset the nervous system   About our guest: https://vidalcoaching.com/who-we-are/vince-pitstick/ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vince_pitstick/?hl=en  Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vince_pitstick    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 

From a 72-hour labor in rural India to the operating room as a nurse anesthesia resident, Taranjeet Rathore’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Along with Olivia and Kevin, Taranjeet, a nurse anesthesia resident at National University, opens up about the moment that inspired his career in healthcare, the cultural barriers he’s worked to overcome, and his mission to represent underserved voices in nurse anesthesiology. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🇮🇳 Taranjeet’s journey from rural India to CRNA resident 👨‍⚕️ Breaking cultural stereotypes as a male Sikh nurse 📱 Using social media as a tool for visibility and mentorship 😰 Managing imposter syndrome in school and online 🌎 Human connection in OB anesthesia and beyond   Connect with Tanjareet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tr57/ 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

It’s bold. It’s fast. And it’s the first of its kind in nurse anesthesiology. Sharon and guest co-host AANA President Jan Setnor welcome back nurse innovator Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL to introduce a groundbreaking addition to the AANA Annual Congress: the first-ever Nurse Anesthesia Hackathon. Rebecca ​has ​always ​challenged ​the ​status ​quo ​and ​this ​year ​she's ​bringing ​that ​energy ​straight ​to ​the ​AANA ​​with ​something ​bold ​and ​exciting. From patient safety to AI to perioperative brain health, the challenges are real, and so is your chance to make a difference. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 💡 What a hackathon is and why it matters in healthcare 🧠 How CRNAs will solve problems like brain health, safety, and AI ethics 🤝 The power of collaboration across different roles and experience levels 📢 Pitching solutions live to expert judges 🚀 Why this could spark careers, companies, and lasting change   Check out Rebecca's Ted Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_love_how_nurses_can_help_drive_healthcare_innovation?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare  Learn more about AANA Annual Congress: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/ 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 

(If you're hearing an episode on Dexmedatomidine and using Apple Podcasts, please delete the file and re-download it so you can hear the proper episode about Implanted Cardiac Devices) ... Today, we're diving into a critical topic in modern healthcare: the perioperative management of patients with implanted electronic devices undergoing noncardiac surgery. With significant advancements in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, are becoming increasingly common in the surgical population. From pre-op assessment and EMI planning to post-op reprogramming, this deep dive breaks down complex protocols into actionable, life-saving steps. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🔌 How electromagnetic interference (EMI) affects pacemakers & ICDs 🧲 When and how to use magnets during surgery 📋 Pre-op device ID, interrogation, and collaboration strategies 🛑 Why post-op reprogramming can’t be overlooked ⚠️ Emergency management tips for device failure or inappropriate therapy 📡 What to know about neurostimulators, VADs, and other devices   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

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted in 2017, introduced sweeping changes to both individual and business tax provisions—many of which have significantly benefited Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). But with key components set to expire at the end of 2025, now is the time to understand what’s at stake and how it might affect your financial picture. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 📜 What the TCJA did — and what’s at risk if it expires 💸 How 1099 CRNAs could lose key deductions 📉 What lower standard deductions and higher tax brackets mean for you 🚐 Why CRNAs are buying RVs (hint: depreciation strategy) ⚖️ Policy trade-offs and the $4.5 trillion price tag for extension   Get customized CRNA financial planning: https://www.crnafinancialplanning.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