Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

The Device That Could Change Airway Management Forever

Airway management hasn’t changed much in decades but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. As more procedures move into outpatient settings and deep sedation becomes more common, the need for better oxygen delivery and reliable monitoring has never been more important.
That’s where the Aeris Airways device comes in. It’s a simple but powerful innovation designed to enhance standard airway tools, and we’re diving into it with Cody Birch, CRNA and Airways Innovations Co-Founder, and Diana Lugo Imus, DNAP, CRNA.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🫁 Improved oxygen delivery at the glottis
📊 Accurate end-tidal CO2 monitoring matters
⚠️ Traditional setups can be inconsistent
🛠️ Simpler workflow reduces stress in the OR
🔍 Better data leads to better decisions
 
Learn more: https://airwayinnovations.com/
To request samples: https://airwayinnovations.com/contact
 
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
Earn MAC Dev Credit: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Kratom in the OR – The Hidden Herbal Challenge

The perioperative environment is increasingly shaped by factors that extend beyond traditional pharmacology, requiring anesthesia providers to stay alert to emerging and often underrecognized influences on patient care. One such factor is the growing use of kratom, a plant-derived substance that patients frequently perceive as harmless due to its “natural” origins. However, as highlighted in today’s show, this assumption can lead to critical gaps in disclosure, leaving clinicians unaware of a substance that may significantly alter anesthetic management and patient outcomes.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🌿 Kratom acts as both a stimulant and opioid-like substance
⚠️ “Natural” does not mean safe or predictable
🧪 Potency and composition vary widely between products
😴 Patients may present with opioid tolerance or sedation
😵 Withdrawal can mimic pain, agitation, or delirium
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Earn MAC Dev Credit: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Grade 1 View – S2, E9 – Why CRNA Advocacy Matters More Than You Think

Most SRNAs are focused on boards, clinicals, and landing their first job, but there’s another side of the profession that can shape your salary, autonomy, and long-term career more than you realize.
In this episode of Grade 1 View, AANA President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, breaks down why advocacy is essential for everyone anesthesia professional. From student loan caps and full practice authority to Medicare reimbursement and access to care, Jeff helps us connect the dots between policy decisions and your future as a CRNA.
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Mid-Year Assembly, what actually happens on Capitol Hill, and how students can start getting involved earlier than ever before.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🏛️ Advocacy directly impacts CRNA autonomy, pay, and job opportunities
🧠 Starting advocacy early gives you a long-term advantage
🤝 Relationships with legislators are built over time—not one meeting
⚖️ CRNAs play a critical role in expanding patient access to care
📊 Mid-Year Assembly prepares providers to speak directly with lawmakers
 
Learn more about Mid-Year Assembly: https://www.aana.com/premier-event/mid-year-assembly/
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

Can Cosmetic Procedures Complicate Anesthesia?

Aesthetic treatments like Botox and dermal fillers are more common than ever, but they may be creating hidden risks in the operating room. While these procedures are often viewed as routine cosmetic enhancements, they can alter facial anatomy, mask muscle responses, and complicate airway management in ways many providers don’t expect.
 
Krystin Jones, a third-year student in Duke University’s Anesthesia Program, joins the show today to discuss how these growing trends are impacting anesthesia care and what CRNAs need to watch for. Awareness, better questioning, and preparation are critical to keeping patients safe when aesthetics meet anesthesia, and today’s conversation will better equip CRNAs for this new challenge.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💉 Aesthetic procedures can alter airway assessment
⚠️ Botox may interfere with neuromuscular monitoring
🧠 Appearances can be misleading in anesthesia
❓ Patients often don’t disclose cosmetic procedures
🛠️ Better pre-op questions improve patient safety
 
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
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
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Airway Exchange – Ep 16 – Elevating CRNA Board Prep Through AI Innovation

For CRNA students, everything can come down to one moment: the board exam. But is it fair to measure years of training, clinical experience, and growth with a single high-stakes test? In this episode, Joshua Olson DNP, CRNA, CRNA educator, and co-creator of the Ollivate app, joins Erin and Louisa to discuss board prep and the use of artificial intelligence in CRNA education.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🧠 Real learning happens through struggle and repetition
🤖 AI can enhance learning but not replace it
📚 Evidence-based strategies improve long-term retention
⚖️ Balance between performance, pressure, and growth matters
 
Check out the Ollivate App: https://ollivate.com/
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

Should CRNAs Follow Financial Advice from Influential People?

There’s no shortage of financial advice available today, and much of it sounds confident, compelling, and even logical. But one of the biggest mistakes CRNAs can make is assuming that widely shared advice automatically applies to your situation.
The truth is, personal finance is exactly that: personal.
In this episode, Jeremy and Sharon dive into some of the most popular financial advice circulating today, from Robert Kiyosaki’s investment strategies to Dave Ramsey’s retirement withdrawals. They break down the risks, the myths, and the assumptions that these pundits often overlook and discuss what really works for most people.
 
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💡 Not all financial advice applies to your situation
⚠️ Extreme strategies (high leverage, 8% withdrawals, all-cash reserves) can backfire
🧠 Personal finance is more about behavior than knowledge
🏠 Renting vs buying depends on math AND emotions
📊 The best financial plan is personalized—not copied
 
Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/
Ready to Start Planning? Visit CRNA Financial Planning Online: https://www.crnafinancialplanning.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
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

At the Edge of Control: Death, Dying, and the Anesthesia Provider

In this episode, Lynn and Garry explore the clinical, ethical, and deeply human realities of death and dying in anesthesia. From the illusion of control to the complexities of end-of-life decision-making, they reflect on what it means to care for patients when cure is no longer possible. More importantly, they examine how these moments shape us as providers challenging our assumptions, deepening our empathy, and redefining what it means to offer meaningful care.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💔 Death is a part of life, but it’s often avoided in medical conversations
🩺 Compassionate communication can reduce anxiety for families and providers
🔄 Providers carry a “silent burden” when it comes to patient outcomes
🔒 Emotional distress can lead to burnout without proper support systems
💬 The Ask, Tell, Ask framework improves communication about end-of-life care
 
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
Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

Grade 1 View – S2, E8 – Choosing with Purpose: DNP Projects & the Future of Sustainable Anesthesia

Choosing a DNP project can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re early in your program and still figuring out your clinical interests. Many students think they need to create something groundbreaking, but the reality is much more practical. The key isn’t reinventing the wheel, it’s finding a topic that’s meaningful, manageable, and backed by existing research.
In this episode, the team breaks down the DNP process with Kelsey’s DNP partner and fellow resident Greer Lesnieski, BSN, SRNA, from narrowing down your topic to building a strong PICO question and finding the right resources.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📚 Build on existing research rather than trying to reinvent the wheel
🎯 Pick a topic that actually interests you (you’ll live with it for years)
🔍 The PICO framework helps narrow your focus
🌱 Small clinical changes (like low-flow anesthesia) can have big impact
🤝 Use trusted resources (AANA, APSF) to guide your topic
 
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