Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Grade 1 View – Ep. 6 – Adapting to New Technologies in Education – Takeaways from Attending ADCE 2025

In this episode of Grade 1 View, host Olivia Conn shares her experiences and insights gained from attending AANA’s Assembly of Didactic and Clinical Educators (ADCE) conference and provides her perspective on the importance of student participation. The ADCE might not seem like an event aimed at students, but understanding the educators' perspectives and engaging in discussions can enhance the learning experience for future CRNAs.
Tune in for a robust discussion with Charity and Kevin about topics impacting the future of CRNA education, like the use of AI and animated curricula.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🎤 ADCE Conference Insights:
Importance of SRNAs participating in conferences for a deeper learning experience
🤖 AI in Education:
How AI is enhancing learning through lecture transcriptions and customized exam questions
🎬 Animated Curriculum:
Using animated videos to simplify complex subjects like pharmacology and physics
🧮 Mental Math Deficit:
Discussing the critical need for SRNAs to develop strong mental math skills
 
March 17 Resident Roundtable: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/residents/resident-wellness/
You can register directly here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkdeCrqj8iGNfYbM6hkR20n8MXGEUHUNuJ#/registration
 
Visit the ADCE online: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/assembly-of-didactic-and-clinical-educators/
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/
Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 
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Courage to Lead: Former AANA President Hilda Salomon

We’re back with another Courage to Lead special and we’re honoring the legacy of Hilda Salomon, a pioneering figure in nurse anesthesia and the third president of the AANA. Join us as we look back on her remarkable journey from her early life in Lynn, Massachusetts, to her influential role in shaping the nurse anesthesia specialty.
With special guests and past AANA presidents Sandy and Dick Ouellette, we explore Hilda's contributions, challenges, and the profound impact she had on the profession.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
Her childhood in Massachusetts where she was raised by her grandmother after losing her parents at age 10.
A look back on her nurse training and the decorated career she would go on to have.
Personal stories from interactions with Hilda.
How she was asked to leave after arriving five minutes late to one of her first interviews.
Her role in the founding of the AANA.
What happened while she was in charge and what areas of the profession did he help change?
 
REPLAY: ‘Navigating the 1099 CRNA Landscape in 2025: Insights and Strategies for Success’ webinar replay will be avialable in March - Link coming soon
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The Future of Acute Pain Management – Suzetrigine: A Game Changer?

The world of anesthesia is evolving, and pain management is at the forefront of this transformation. In this episode, we dive into the revolutionary non-opioid analgesic, Suzetrigine, a selective NaV1.8 inhibitor making waves in perioperative and acute pain management. With increasing pressure to reduce opioid dependence while maintaining effective pain control, anesthesia providers must stay ahead of cutting-edge developments. Join us as we break down the pharmacology, safety profile, clinical trial data, and real-world implications of this game-changing drug.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
We’ll talk about dosing in extreme detail because, as anesthesia providers, we know that precision matters.
The drug interactions is a critical consideration and we’ll run through adjustments that need to be made.
We get to the into the physiology and pharmacology implications of Suzetrigine, focusing on what this means for nurse anesthetists.
The pharmacological properties of Suzetrigine and how it functions at a molecular level to modulate pain perception.
The side effects and contraindications.
Scientific trials and comparisons to other analgesics for nurse anesthetists.
 
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The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
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Navigating Healthcare Policy: A New Approach to Organizational Advocacy

We're ​diving ​into ​the ​world ​of ​policy, ​legislation ​and ​regulation ​with ​Nick Blanck, MSN, CRNA, APN-Anesthesia, who is the Executive Director of Legislative Affairs in New Jersey.
Along with guest host Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, FAANA, we’re going to learn more about Nick’s pivotal role in ensuring ​consistency ​and ​clarity ​in ​the ​ever-evolving ​landscape ​of ​healthcare ​policy ​in ​this ​state. His unique approach is shaping the CRNA industry in New Jersey and we want to find ways that states can implement similar models for improved advocacy.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
Crafting the right message is all about having versatile, long-term, consistent messaging.
What advantage does consistent visibility have with political advocacy?
Why a CRNA and a lobbyist have driven his advocacy campaign?
What are some of the biggest lessons he’s learned from success?
What does he envision for the future of the healthcare landscape for CRNAs in your region?
 
About our guest:
Currently serving the New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetists and it members as the Executive Director of Legislative Affairs; and Chairman of their Government Relations Committee. In this capacity he tirelessly advances legislation aimed at removing restrictive barriers to profession of Nurse Anesthesiology. Nicholas spends a tremendous amount of time working with various stakeholder groups, both in New Jersey and across the county, aimed at building a consensus about how best to understand the overall value CRNA's have in healthcare markets. To decision makers and lawmakers in New Jersey, Nicholas is a well-established authority on the scope of practice of New Jersey CRNA's, and well as the regulatory and compliance processes surrounding these professionals.
 
Join our upcoming webinar ‘Navigating the 1099 CRNA Landscape in 2025: Insights and Strategies for Success’ - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_k3i11leGQFOwvixEHUS9Cg?utm_campaign=1099%20CRNA%20Institute&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_nw-WeZT9JBDErnfLekoQnV3lNLRwCdk2IDvoFeMTd90oHNdmqoXo-4nptpTScKkQT_ql6#/registration
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Grade 1 View - Ep. 5 – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Anesthesia

Today we’re going to talk about something that’s very important and needs attention in the nurse anesthesia space, and that’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Hosts Larry and Kevin are joined by Donté Flanagan, DNP, CRNA, FAANA during Black History Month to have a conversation pressing need for diversity in healthcare and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all CRNAs.
Whether ​it's ​mentoring, ​faculty ​development ​programs, ​or ​wellness ​support ​groups ​for ​the ​students ​around ​the ​country ​that ​are ​kind ​of ​isolated ​and ​feel ​alone, Doc explains that he’s been focused ​on helping grow ​the ​profession and continue ​the ​excellence ​that ​we ​have ​inside ​of ​nurse ​anesthesia.
 
Check Out The AANA Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Timeline and Milestones: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DEI.History.pdf
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
How people have helped him through his career and the opportunities he’s been given.
The goals for the Multicultural CRNA Conference and details on a successful inaugural event.
We don’t talk enough about how isolating it can be in these professional spaces.
What tips does he have for folks that want to speak up but don’t want to make things uncomfortable or awkward.
The future of diversity in the anesthesia profession.
About our guest: https://drdonteflanagan.com/
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Where Are We Headed With Healthcare And Providers?

What does a second Trump term mean for the future of healthcare? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Becker, founder and publisher of Becker’s Healthcare, to break down the potential changes, challenges, and opportunities in the evolving healthcare landscape. With major shifts ahead, understanding how policies may shape healthcare access, quality, and costs is more important than ever.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
What significant policy shifts does Scott anticipate during President Trump’s second term?
Why Medicare Advantage has become a complete debacle.
Are we moving to a two-tiered system and what could that look like?
What do all these changes mean for CRNAs?
Is he hearing about any possible solutions for the workforce problem?
 
Check out Becker's Hospital Review: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/ 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
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Ciprofol Chronicles: The New Star in Procedural Sedation

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Ciprofol, a cutting-edge intravenous anesthetic that has been making headlines in both clinical research and operating rooms worldwide. With its innovative formulation and promising safety profile, Ciprofol is poised to transform the landscape of anesthetic practice.
Join us as we explore how this new drug compares to established agents like propofol and what it could mean for the future of procedural sedation and anesthesia.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
What is Ciprofol, and why are nurse anesthetists buzzing about it?
The reduction in dosage isn’t just about using less drug—it has ripple effects.
What about its pharmacokinetics? Does it have the same quick onset and recovery profile that we’ve come to rely on with Propofol?
How does Ciprofol stack up when it comes to adverse events?
We dissect the study—a randomized, double-blind trial conducted in China.
Is Ciprofol the future?
 
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The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
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Seamless Transitions: Improving Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoffs

With ​lives ​on ​the ​line, ​the ​smallest ​misstep ​in ​communication ​can ​have ​critical ​consequences. Patient data gets transferred at the handoff from the preoperative area to the operating room to the postoperative area, but most anesthesia practices have been slow to adopt a standardized approach to sharing this information.
Today’s guest, Pete Montrie, CRNA, DNP, created the AMPLE approach for his DNP project, and he’ll explain how this streamlined process can improve communication and enhance patient safety.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
Why he chose this topic for his DNP at the University of Alabama.
The main issues that the literature identified during these handoffs.
How he developed his project and his plan going in.
The project resulted in a 70% increase in handoffs based on billing data.
Read Pete’s DNP Project: https://ir-api.ua.edu/api/core/bitstreams/fc700ea9-3ec8-44e2-a255-0591ceab4be2/content 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: 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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