Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

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
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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

The Power of Failure and Its Impact on a Growth Mindset with Dr. Stephen Pilot

In a profession built on precision and high stakes, mistakes often come with shame, silence, and self-doubt. Failure is something every clinician experiences but almost no one talks about it. What if those moments are actually key to becoming a better provider?
In this episode, Stephen Pilot, DNP, CRNA, APN explains how embracing failure can transform both clinical performance and personal growth.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💥 Failure Is Inevitable
🧠 Growth vs Fixed Mindset
🤝 Psychological Safety Matters
🔍 Reflection Drives Growth
❤️ You’re Not Alone
 
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 15 – Sim Wars: A New Way to Teach with Dr. Shayne Hauglum

What if learning could be both highly effective and a genuinely fun experience? In this episode, we explore an innovative approach to CRNA education that blends simulation, competition, and teamwork to create deeper engagement and better outcomes for students.
AANA Chief Science & Practice Officer Shayne Hauglum, PhD, CRNA, APRN, joins the show to share how “Sim Wars” is reshaping the way students learn by focusing on communication, leadership, and team dynamics instead of just technical skills. 
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🎮 Learning Through Competition: Gamified simulations can boost engagement and retention
🤝 Team Dynamics Matter: Communication and teamwork often matter more than technical skill
📊 Measure What Matters: Innovation without evaluation limits long-term impact
🧠 Stress Is Real: Today’s students face intense pressure
🚀 Future-Focused Training: Preparing students for real-world collaboration is critical
 
About our guest: https://www.aana.com/about-us/leadership/aana-executive-team/
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

How GLP-1 Medications Are Changing Anesthesia Practice

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity for diabetes treatment and weight loss, but their rapid rise is creating new considerations for anesthesia providers. As more patients arrive for procedures while taking these medications, CRNAs and anesthesia teams must navigate evolving guidelines, potential aspiration risks, and uncertainty about perioperative management.
In this episode, Amy Reed, Ph.D, CRNA returns to discuss the latest research and recommendations surrounding GLP-1 receptor agonists in anesthesia practice.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💊 GLP-1 medications aren’t new but their popularity is
⚠️ Aspiration risk is still the primary anesthesia concern
📋 Guidelines are evolving and sometimes conflicting
🔍 Point-of-care gastric ultrasound is gaining traction
📊 More research is still needed
 
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