Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

What does it take to lead through one of the most defining battles in CRNA history?

In this Courage to Lead conversation, Larry Hornsby, CRNA, BSN reflects on his presidency during a pivotal and tumultuous era for the AANA at the turn of the century. Facing national policy shifts, physician supervision debates, and an all-out fight with the ASA, Larry shares the behind-the-scenes stories of late-night strategy sessions, fax campaig...

Artificial Intelligence is moving at a rapid pace and it’s already having a big impact in the classroom. Today, we’re going to explore how AI is reshaping nurse anesthesia education. From tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly to advanced simulation and custom-built chatbots, we’ll discuss how educators are using AI to improve lectures, assessment design, and even accreditation work.

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

🤖 AI...

In 2017, Dr. Randy Moore made the leap from the OR and into bigger and bigger leadership roles that challenged him to think beyond patient care. At that time, he thought he was done with clinical practice for good. But, as he explains on today’s show, that assumption was very wrong. Join us to hear about this unique journey, from practicing CRNA to AANA CEO to Chief Anesthetist Officer at NorthStar Anesthesia CEO and then back to p...

Today we’re diving into one of the most fundamental tools you’ll encounter in clinical practice: the ventilator. Mechanical ventilation can seem intimidating at first, but understanding how it works is essential for keeping your patients safe and for making adjustments in real time.

We’ve invited Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA of Ursuline College to the show to help us understand the fundamentals of mechanical ventilation. He sh...

Addiction in healthcare is often hidden in the shadows, but it doesn’t have to end in tragedy. This powerful episode features an intimate discussion about substance use disorder with Luci New, DNP, CRNA, FAANA and Rob Hartman, a CRNA who shares his journey through addiction and recovery. Now nine years sober, Rob reflects on treatment, rebuilding trust with his family, and his return to practice. He also offers a message of hope fo...

In the premiere episode of Airway Exchange, the new series from AANA and Beyond the Mask, hosts Nickie Damico, Greg Collins, Erin Martin, and Louisa Martin introduce themselves and share the vision for the podcast: to empower educators, inspire students, and build community across the nurse anesthesia profession.

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

🎙️ New series laun...

Mental health and substance use have been impacting CRNAs and SRNAs, but we’ve come a long way in recognizing and addressing these challenges thanks to organizations like the Parkdale Center for Professionals.

This episode is a powerful one centered on healing, growth, and the critical role of peer support. We’re excited to welcome Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA, peer advisor Jack Stem, and Bridget Petrillo, MS, APRN, CRNA to reflect on 10...

Most CRNAs graduate, get a job, and settle into the profession. But Dr. Erik Rauch proves there’s another path—one of leadership, advocacy, and endless opportunity.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, Erik joins hosts Kevin and Charity to share his 17-year journey from clinical CRNA to program director, pain management fellow, MBA graduate, AANA Board of Directors, and now Chief Clinical Officer of a CRNA anesthesia management company...

Today’s guest is helping shape the next generations of CRNAs one post, one message, and one connection at a time through his platform, CRNA Mentor. Tyler Anderson, CRNA has ​become ​a ​guiding ​voice ​for ​aspiring ​and ​practicing ​nurse ​anesthetists ​across ​the ​country. In this episode, he shares the story behind the creation of CRNA Mentor, his vision for mentorship in the CRNA community, and how social media is playing a piv...

In the world of financial planning, we often focus on numbers, assets, and strategies, but what about emotions? Just as the concept of "love languages" has helped people understand how to connect with their partners, it can also offer valuable insight into how we approach money management. In this episode, Jeremy and Sharon explain how the five love languages can inform a more compassionate and effective approach to financial plann...

CRNA school is one of the toughest journeys a nurse can take, but success isn’t just about grades and clinical skills. It’s also about wellness, belonging, and support. Today’s guest is a passionate advocate for students in CRNA school and someone you want to listen to if you’ve felt stressed or anxious about the process.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, Olivia sits down with Dr. Jorge Valdes, clinical professor and dean at Florida...

Thoracic anesthesia is one of the most complex and high-stakes specialties in medicine, where the airway may literally be open on the table, and every breath depends on seamless teamwork.

In this episode of Anesthesia Alchemy, Lynn and Garry welcome Dr. Melissa Puskac, a CRNA and thoracic anesthesia expert, to unpack the challenges and breakthroughs that define this field. From carinal resections and sleeve lobectomies to esophagec...

The AANA’s Annual Congress just set a new record—over 4,000 CRNAs and SRNAs came together in Nashville for the largest meeting in the association’s history. In this special episode of Beyond the Mask, Bill Bruce, CEO of the AANA, sat down with us in Nashville to ​share ​what's ​happening ​at ​the ​national ​level ​and ​how ​it ​directly ​impacts ​CRNAs ​across ​the ​country.

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

📈 Recor...

Our guests in this episode are representatives from Woman Within International, an organization dedicated to empowering women through self-discovery and healing. Katey Hurd, president of the Women Within Central USA Board and Linda Stulz, RN, M. ED, join us to explore why many women find themselves overwhelmed and disconnected from their true selves. Today you’ll learn about the organization’s programs that help women set healthy b...

Have you ever wondered what it would take to make the shift from an RN to a CRNA? Would it be manageable? Today we’re sharing our conversation with two talented women who are in the middle of that process right now. Larry and Kevin sat down with Jasmine Dhalla, BSN, BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, TNCC and Damilola Olarenwaju, BSN, RN, CCRN, TNCC at the AANA Congress in Nashville so they could share their powerful journeys as ICU nurses tak...

In a world where men don't usually don't like discussing their feelings, the Mankind Project USA stands as a beacon of hope for men seeking connection and personal growth. In our latest podcast episode, Nathan Ed-wards, CRNA and Boysen Hodgson share their experiences with this transformative organization, which is dedicated to redefining masculinity and fostering a culture of vulnerability and compassion among men.

Here’s some of w...

Office-based anesthesia (OBA) is no longer the “wild west” of healthcare. It’s a thriving, highly specialized branch of anesthesia practice that’s changing the way patients experience surgery. In this episode, Lynn and Garry take you inside the rapidly growing world of OBA, where 10 million procedures a year are now performed outside hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. They explore why patients and providers are embracing thi...

For years, anesthesia providers have relied on subjective assessments to evaluate neuromuscular recovery. These methods, while familiar, often fall short in ensuring patient safety. As evidence mounts regarding the risks associated with residual paralysis, the need for more precise and objective monitoring has never been clearer. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at Quantatative train-of-four (TOF) monitoring with Richie Flower...

For many years, it was rare to see a new CRNA grad get a 1099 opportunity, but that’s been changing over the past decade. This new generation of CRNAs looks at work differently than previous generations and 1099 fits their lifestyle needs much better.

So what do you really need to know if you are choosing between traditional W2 employment and the increasingly popular 1099 pathway? Kevin and Larry welcome on Beyond the Mask hosts Je...