Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy welcome President and CEO of Aurnova University Linda Caccamo, CRNA, DNP, MS, MBA, MHA, to discuss why advanced business education is becoming an increasingly valuable asset for healthcare professionals. With more than 30 years of clinical anesthesia experience, Linda understands what it takes to create academic programs that meet today’s workforce needs and we’ll explore all areas of that in this conversation.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🎓 Leadership Development: Why clinical expertise isn't always enough
💼 Business Education: How MBAs and MHAs open new opportunities
🤖 AI in Healthcare: Preparing for the next wave of innovation
🚀 Career Growth: Expanding your influence beyond patient care
🤝 Mentorship Matters: Standing on the shoulders of those before us
 
Check out ’10 Leadership Roles That Open Up With Your MHA in 2026’: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MHA-10-Careers-2606.pdf
 
Learn more about Aurnova University: https://aurnova.com/
 
Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

How much does the clinical learning environment shape the future of nurse anesthesia?
In this episode of Airway Exchange, Greg and Erin welcome Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA to discuss his groundbreaking research on incivility among CRNA preceptors. Together, they examine groundbreaking research showing that more than three-quarters of nurse anesthesia residents reported experiencing some form of incivility during training, while exploring why these situations occur and what educators, preceptors, and clinical leaders can do to improve the experience for everyone involved.
Rather than simply identifying the problem, this conversation focuses on practical solutions.
 
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🏥 OR Culture: Understanding incivility in clinical education
📊 New Research: What 300+ survey responses revealed
🧠 Resilience vs. Wellness: Preparing students for difficult environments
🤝 Preceptor Training: Equipping mentors for success
📈 Leadership Impact: Why healthy cultures improve recruitment and retention 
 
Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram
Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
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

Recorded live from the IFNA World Congress in Australia, Sharon and special co-host Kevin Chem welcome Richard Henker, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, whose work with the World Health Organization and the G4 Alliance is helping reshape global anesthesia through data. We’ll explore ​how ​the ​Operative ​and ​Encounter ​Registry ​serves ​as ​a ​simple ​point ​of ​care ​tool ​that ​allows ​anesthesia ​providers ​to ​capture ​essential ​surgical ​and ​anesthesia ​data, ​making ​our ​care ​visible ​in ​ways ​it ​hasn't ​been ​before.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🌍 Global Advocacy – Using data to influence healthcare policy worldwide
📊 The Operative Encounter Registry – Making anesthesia care measurable
🏥 Improving Access – Why data matters for expanding surgical care
👩‍⚕️ The Role of CRNAs – Supporting safe anesthesia in underserved regions
🤝 Building the Future – Collaboration with WHO, IFNA, and G4 Alliance
 
Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/
About our guest: https://wcna2026.com/speakers/dr-richard-henker/
Learn more about the Operative Encounter Registry: https://theg4alliance.org/oer-cop/
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Every nurse anesthesia student loses sleep over clinicals, wondering whether they’re prepared enough to keep up. The truth? Everyone struggles in the beginning, even the students who seem to have it all together.
In this episode of Grade 1 View, Mackenzie leads the discussion with Levi and Nicolas to share honest stories from their first months in clinicals. They’ll open up about embarrassing mistakes and imposter syndrome, while providing lessons on stress management and learning to laugh at yourself, this conversation is a reassuring reminder that becoming a CRNA is a journey—not a test of perfection. If you're about to start clinicals, this is the conversation you'll wish you heard on day one.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
😬 First-Day Nerves: Walking into the OR for the first time
💉 Clinical Mistakes: The embarrassing moments everyone experiences
🧠 Mental Resilience: Coping with criticism and difficult days
🤝 Finding Great Mentors: The impact of supportive preceptors
❤️ Perspective & Growth: Why mistakes are part of becoming a CRNA
 
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

In this episode of Beyond the Mask, former AANA presidents Sandy Ouellette, CRNA and Dick Ouellette, CRNA join Sharon and Jeremy explore the only three amicus briefs ever filed by the AANA (and its predecessor, NANA). From the 1934 Dagmar Nelson case to the antitrust battles of the 1980s, they explain how these legal efforts defended CRNA practice, challenged misinformation, and laid the foundation for the profession's continued autonomy. It's an essential history lesson for every nurse anesthetist and a reminder that today's opportunities were earned through decades of advocacy.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
⚖️ Three Historic Briefs – The only amicus briefs ever filed by the AANA
👩‍⚕️ Dagmar Nelson's Legacy – The case that secured CRNAs' legal right to administer anesthesia
🏛️ Antitrust Battles – Protecting fair competition and CRNA practice
📚 Lessons from History – Why every CRNA should know these stories
🤝 Advocacy Matters – How legal action continues to shape the profession
 
Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Item analysis can sound intimidating, especially for educators who were trained as clinicians first and teachers second. But when used well, it can become one of the most valuable tools for improving assessments, clarifying instruction, and supporting student success.
In this episode of Airway Exchange, hosts Erin and Louisa welcome in Valerie Diaz, DNP, CRNA, PMHNP-BC, APRN, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, CAPT (Ret), USN and Pedro Hernandez, DNP, CRNA, APRN to break down the importance of item analysis, a topic they presented at AANA’s EDGE event earlier this year.
Just as CRNAs constantly refine their clinical practice, educators should continually evaluate, reflect, and improve the tools they use to assess learning. Better assessments lead to better education. Better education ultimately leads to better patient care.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
📊 Item Analysis: Using data to improve assessments
🎯 Better Questions: Writing exams that truly measure learning
👩‍🏫 Teaching Growth: Letting assessment data shape instruction
📚 Student Success: Building trust through fair evaluations
🔍 Continuous Improvement: Becoming a stronger educator every semester
 
Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram
Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
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

Retirement for CRNAs is much more than just reaching a savings goal. It's about deciding what kind of life you want to live, and that often means asking difficult questions about your home, your possessions, your finances, and even your identity. While popular retirement advice often focuses on what to sell before you retire, the better question is whether those things still support the life you're trying to build.
In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Sharon turns the microphone around and interviews Jeremy, a Certified Financial Planner®, about a viral retirement video that has generated millions of views. Together, they explore whether the financial advice in this video makes sense in real life. Through stories from CRNAs they've worked with over the years, we'll provide some practical guidance for creating a retirement that's intentional, fulfilling, and uniquely your own.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🏡 The Right Home – Should you downsize before retirement?
👨‍👩‍👧 Helping Adult Children – Knowing when generosity becomes a financial burden
🚐 Expensive Toys – When boats, RVs, and vacation homes stop bringing joy
🚗 Lifestyle Choices – Do retirees really need two cars?
🎯 Retiring To Something – Why purpose matters as much as your portfolio
 
Watch the video we referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IltvyKpy8Z4 
Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Graduation is in sight, boards are on the horizon, and one of the biggest decisions of your career is quickly approaching: choosing your first CRNA job. With demand at an all-time high and opportunities across the country, it's easy to focus on salary alone, but the best career decisions involve much more than compensation.
In this episode of Grade 1 View, hosts Kelsey and Levi welcome Mackenzie Munoz, Director of Partner Success at MedGeo and Tonya Hamlin, Regional Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search to discuss how SRNAs/RRNAs can confidently navigate the job search process. Both of these companies partner with the AANA to run the MOTION platform so they’ll be able to provide invaluable insight into the many factors SRNAs will evaluate when picking that first CRNA job.
Join us for the chance to discover how to effectively navigate your job search and make informed decisions that align with your career aspirations.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🗺️ Using MOTION – Why it's more than a traditional job board
📋 Evaluating Offers – Looking beyond salary when comparing positions
📞 Understanding Call – The questions every SRNA/RRNA should ask
🤝 Interview Success – Common mistakes and negotiation strategies
🏡 Finding the Right Fit – Balancing career goals with lifestyle priorities
 
Access the AANA Motion Platform: https://www.aana.com/motion-crna-career-platform/ 
 
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