Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Today we bring back Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, to provide us with a look back at an important time in the IFNA’s history. Soon after the organizationwas formed, a meeting with the World Health Organization led to Maura McAuliffe, CRNA, Ph.D, FAAN, being appointed the first official researcher. Find out how it all came about as we document what was learned about nurse anethetistsaround the world over the past 30 years.    Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2569    Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf   Today's show schedule:  2:41 – A topic that came up on a recent podcast about nurse anesthetists.   5:11 – What led to IFNA appointing an official researcher in the 90s? 6:34 – Maura McAuliffe, CRNA, Ph.D, FAAN, appointed as the INFA official researcher. 8:24 – Concerns for the IFNA leaders at the time.   9:29 – Why was Dr. McAuliffe the right person for the job? 11:21 – What was found from the first phase of surveys? 14:56 – How many total nurse anesthetists are there? Do we know? 19:21 – Phase 2 findings 25:09 – Why do European countries avoid using nurses in anesthesia? 31:56 – Ouellette wrote a letter to the editor about this European article. 35:51 – The future of the IFNA.

Now more than ever, putting a focus on your wellness needs to be a priority for every CRNA. We all deal with stress and fatigue each day so giving our body a break is important. The good news is you’ll find a lot of resources and help from the professional organizations supporting CRNAs. Let’s find out more about those along with ways to improve wellness, and we’ll do it with NCANA President Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA.    Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-84:-promoting-professional-wellness-with-ncana-president-linda-stone,-dnp,-crna/2560/    About our guest: https://www.ncana.com/ncana-board-of-directors   Get CE Credit here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf    Today's show schedule:  3:02 – Today we’re joined by NCANA President Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA 4:30 – Why is professional wellness important for CRNAs? 5:57 – Challenges in the workplace. 6:53 – Recent studies show burnout is on the rise. 8:41 – The issue of addiction. 9:43 – Coping mechanisms for CRNAs to use. 12:09 – Ways to develop a healthy workplace. 15:36 – Resources available for students dealing with stress.   19:08 – That feeling when leaving a leadership role. 21:52 – Here’s what the AANA offers for resources. 25:14 – Closing thoughts from Linda.  

The next episode in our presidential series brings us a conversation with Dennis Bless, APRN, MS, CRNA, who served as AANA president for 2013-14. His financial background provided the organization with a new perspective and that helped make significant changes that still live on today. We’ll hear about his experiences and talk with him about diversity, compensation, relationship-building, reallocation and more.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2469    Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf   Today's show schedule:  3:32 – Today we’re joined by Dennis Bless, CRNA. He shares his career background. 9:32 - The ASA PR campaign that ran as he was taking office. 13:07 – His role with helping rebuild the relationship between the NBCRNA and AANA 15:43 – AANA also knew they had to be clear that the members were the focus. 17:05 – Towards the end of his presidency, they held a recertification summit to bring all the important parties together. 18:31 – The feeling they had when first hearing about the NBCRNA and testing. 24:33 – There was also a diversity summit during his year. Some background on how that happened. 29:19 – The work he did on CEO compensation and evaluation. 31:56 – How they decided to reallocate money and established new by-laws. 35:18 – What were the most valuable leadership lessons learned during his time as president 36:47 – Dennis leaves this message for new CRNAs coming into the profession. 38:12 – If there was any other profession he could chose, what would it be?

Nearly a century ago, nurse anesthetists took the first steps towards standardizing education and moving towards an approval process. It was a journey that faced many challenges and took various forms before reaching the point where we are today. Betty Horton, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, and Mike Kremer, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, join the show to take us through this history of education and accreditation along with where we’re headed.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2541    Today's show schedule:  3:34 – Another historical episode today with Betty Horton and Mike Kremer 6:06 – Why was their interest in starting an approval process for the schools of nurse anesthesia? 7:55 – What was Helen Lamb’s role in the process? 8:20 – The AANA archives are impressive. 9:08 – What all went into the accreditation process? 11:57 – When did we start approving nurse anesthesia schools and has that changed over time? 16:37 – How has the education changed for SRNAs and CRNAs 18:55 – Nurse anesthetists have lead the way in the nursing industry. 21:39 – Seeking external approval for accreditation. 25:03 – Challenges for accreditation through history. 29:54 – Physicians tried to shut down the schools at one point. 32:57 – What’s the status of nurse anesthesia education now? 36:31 – Closing thoughts from our guests.

CRNAs already have plenty to worry about each day and it’s convenient to put finances to the side. As we’ve seen in 2020, the unexpected can happen at any time so we need to make sure you have a plan for your money. Today we’ll talk about the way CRNAs typically get off-track with their finances but we’ll also give you steps to getting everything in order.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2533    Get CRNA financial planning guidance here: https://www.crnafinancialplanning.com/    Get CE Credit here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf    Today's show schedule:  3:38 – If every job paid the same, which one would Sharon choose? 5:26 – What would Jeremy choose? 8:11 – Quote of the Month: “There’s a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich.” 9:34 – An interview with Tom Brady stuck with Jeremy. 11:21 – Mailbag question: The coronavirus scare has me convinced that the market will keep crashing again and again. I’m ready to move everything to cash right now. Is there any reason to wait? 14:27 – Getting lost in the financial world happens to a lot of CRNA clients.   15:15 – Examples of bad tools people use that lead them astray in retirement planning. 17:36 – The next issue is bad directions.   19:41 – Another reason people make mistakes is a lack of attention.   21:41 – What you need to do to get back on track. 24:40 – Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 27:30 – Develop a plan for where you want to go and how you want to get there. 29:02 – This COVID pandemic might be a bit of a financial wake-up call for CRNAs.

The continued growth of the CRNA profession will rely on the young generation taking charge and leading the way, and that’s exactly what Julie Linton, MSN, CRNA, is doing as the president of the WVANA. Today we’ll talk to her about the drive to be in leadership positions, why it’s important for all CRNAs to be invested, and how she developed her cow-milking skills.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-80-leader-from-the-start-lessons-learned-from-a-state-presidency-with-julie-linton-msn-crna/2527/    Today's show schedule:  3:16 – Our guest today is Julie Linton 3:48 – Background on her career and current roles. 5:18 – She can teach you how to milk a cow 6:37 – Why she feels it’s important to get involved. 8:13 – Is there a disconnect between leadership and CRNAs 11:42 – Money is the great equalizer. 16:53 – What does Julie think about CRNAs that are non-members. 18:10 – Even if you don’t want to be political, paying dues is essential.  19:38 – The story of how she get involved in leadership roles so early. 23:30 – What’s it like serving on one of these leadership boards? 26:10 – What can we do to get the younger professionals more involved? 28:24 – What has your typical day looked like during your presidency? 33:28 – Favorite thing she’s done in a leadership role. 35:33 – Tell us something interesting about you.  39:25 – Sharon has one shameless request before we go.

You can argue that the passage of direct reimbursement in 1986 was one of the most significant lobbying achievements in healthcare. This process took much of the decade and spanned seven AANA presidents, including Dick and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA. We revisit those momentous years and learn more about all the hard work that went into getting direct reimbursement.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-79-the-path-to-direct-reimbursement-with-dick-sandy-ouellette-crna/2523/    Download the CE Credit form here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf    Today's show schedule:  1:44 – We have a couple of our favorites with us today. 3:20 – Let’s get some background on this great lobbying achievement. 5:30 – What happened when the regulators tried to fix this reimbursement problem? 9:10 – The unintended consequences of TEFRA Seven Steps 11:22 – Healthcare costs over $3 trillion today. 11:50 – PPS and DRGs 15:25 – What we brought to legislatures when we first started pushing direct reimbursement. 17:27 – Things can change quickly. 19:38 – Difficulty understanding the numbers. 20:55 – What was the plan for economic survival? 24:25 – Direct Reimbursement created some conflict.    26:17 – Let’s talk the actual road to reimbursement from 1983-89. 31:53 – The passage finally happens and the announcement that followed. 32:45 – It took the effort of all the members to make this happen. 34:03 – What did they do back then without a DC office? 35:42 – It was just as difficult in the years following direct reimbursement. 40:55 – Did you think we’d still be dealing with issues three decades later? 43:25 – A big victory for nursing as a whole. 44:36 – Closing thoughts on how great of a time this is for CRNAs.

Our next guest in the Presidential Leadership Series is Deb Geisler, CRNA, who served as AANA President from 2001-02. Not only did she oversee some significant issues during her year in charge, but she’s also been a part of multiple committees through the years whose decisions have shaped direction of the profession.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2508    Today's show schedule:  2:37 – We’re still in quarantine and talking to Deb Geisler today. 3:15 – A former AANA president and a UNC graduate. 5:13 – Historical overview of the supervision battle with physicians. 8:53 – Here’s what the problem is with this supervision law. 11:53 – The letters that were being written to the legislature about nurse anesthetists. 12:22 – It’s a reimbursement issue.  15:07 – How the SODC began. 20:43 – The other goal for the SODC and how it was funded. 22:27 – The states were given funds in the form of a loan 25:21 – Helping states that were in position to be attacked. 27:12 – How was the dues increase embraced at the time? 31:51 – Being part of that committee is something she’s eternally grateful for. 34:04 – Some history on how regions were formed. 37:17 – She chaired the committee in 2003 to look at regional re-allocation 38:24 – A statistical analysis was done to see if the structure of the regions had anything to do with electability. 39:05 – The committee devised a study and sent it out to members to determine a course of action. 41:49 – From that study, the committee came up with a five region concept. 44:35 – How did people react to the regional suggestion.  46:16 – Sharon has always been a big fan of Deb. 47:33 – The most valuable leadership lessons that she’s learned through her career.

With so much uncertainty in our lives right now, it’s hard enough to figure out what’s going to happen over the next week much less the next year. But that’s what AANA CEO Randy Moore, DNP, MBA, CRNA, has spent a lot of time thinking about to help the organization and its members plan for the next year. Find out what he thinks will happen in the industry and the profession over the next 12 months.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2516    Today's show schedule:  1:03 – Jeremy just got back from a trip to the beach. 1:37 – Our guest today is Randy Moore, DNP, MBA, CRNA CEO of the AANA 2:07 – How this show idea came up. 3:55 – What is view of the impact of unemployment on healthcare delivery and reimbursement. 5:18 – Does this lead us further down the path of a single payer system? 8:16 – Will the reliance on foreign countries for drugs and supplies change? 10:37 – What could the future waves of COVID-19 look like for our country? 14:52 – What effects might we see on CRNAs and members of the AANA. 18:02 – Has there been an increase in the AANA help line during this time? 19:07 – Do you think rural hospital may close as a result of what’s happening? 21:20 – Will big hospitals acquire those hospitals and use them or close them? 22:31 – How does this improve telehealth? 27:58 – Where will elective care go over the next year? 33:48 – Another big winner out of this is commercial payers. 35:48 – CRNAs are in a great position as scope of practice is modernized.

You likely seek financial advice from lots of different sources. And some of those sources will certainly have good intentions, but they’ll often give bad financial advice. Let’s look at some examples and explore the reasons why we have to be very careful from whom we’re taking this important guidance.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2496    Get in touch with Jeremy's financial planning team: https://www.crnafinancialplanning.com/   Today's show schedule:  1:33 – How are we handling quarantine? 3:12 – Looking back on your life, what would you tell yourself 20 years ago that you know now? 5:22 – If you could go back to any age, what would it be? 6:39 – Quote of the week on the quickest way to double your money. 8:36 – Let’s take some listener questions. Mailbag question #1: I retired two years ago with more than million in my IRA, which I thought would be more than enough to give me the lifestyle I want. I’ll probably be fine but I get nervous every time I withdraw from my account because I don’t want to worry about running out. Am I worrying too much? 13:09 – Let’s talk about finance some more and talk about bad advice. 14:17 – Many people get their financial advice from their family. Sharon shares her experience. 17:13 – Why that advice from family might not be good for you. 18:02 – What about advice from friends? 20:48 – Getting financial advice from CPAs 23:26 – Listening to financial experts in the media. 25:02 – Money leads to a lot of arguments in marriage. 25:58 - Stats on the average amount saved by age group. 31:07 - Here’s how much Jeremy’s CRNA clients usually have saved. 31:36 - Here’s what to do if you need to improve your retirement savings. 32:05 - Final words of wisdom from Jeremy.