Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Grade 1 View – Ep. 18 – Pursuing a 1099 CRNA Career

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 Jeremy Stanley, EA, CFP®, AIF® and Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN to talk tax advantages, income potential and career flexibility.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💡 Understanding 1099 vs. W2 employment
💰 Financial implications and earning potential
📈 Maximizing tax benefits as a 1099 CRNA
🎯 Navigating career flexibility and work-life balance
🧰 Essential tools and resources for 1099 success
 
Apply to be on the Grade 1 View Season Two (2026) Host Team!
Applications due November 1, 2025. Applicants must be current CRNA students/residents with a minimum of 12 months remaining in their program.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/g1v-host-application
 
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

When Conventional Maneuvers Fail: A Case Study on the McMurray Enhanced Airway Device

When seconds matter, preparation saves lives. Today’s case study involving a 47-year-old man with severe obesity and obstructive sleep apnea is a great example of that. When a routine EGD resulted in rapid hypoxia shortly after sedation after conventional methods failed, it was the McMurray Enhanced Airway that made all the difference. Sharon shares the experience in this episode and we invited Roxanne McMurray, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA back to the show to talk about how this novel airway tool is changing the game for CRNAs.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💡 The problem: traditional oral airways don’t reach the distal pharynx📉 A real emergency: 47-year-old patient crashes post-sedation💜 How the McMurray Enhanced Airway (MEA) saves the day🛠️ Designed for today’s obese and sleep-apneic patients💰 Life-saving innovation for under $20
 
Revisit our conversation about the McMurray Enhanced Airway: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/a-groundbreaking-product-to-improve-airway-management/4640/
McMurray Enhanced Airway (MEA) video link: https://youtu.be/IU1wF923J18?t=2   
Website: https://www.mcmurraymed.com/ 
AANA Congress Booth with Bell Medical: #642
 
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
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

What You Need to Know About a Potential AANA Bylaw Change

Good governance is proactive, not reactive, and a potential bylaw change could help the AANA move more in that direction. In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Jeremy and Sharon welcome AANA vice president Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA to discuss one of the most important proposals facing the AANA: a new bylaw amendment that would establish a clear, fair process for removing a board member before a crisis demands it. We'll ​walk ​through ​what ​the ​amendment ​proposes, ​the ​rationale ​behind ​it, ​and ​the ​potential ​implications ​for ​the ​AANA ​moving ​forward.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
📜 Why the AANA needs a removal process for board members🛑 Current fallback is a public, divisive member vote🗳️ Proposed policy includes due process and confidentiality⚖️ Grounds for removal: misconduct, nonperformance, conflict of interest🧠 Why a strong board culture—and not just bylaws—matters most
 
Will you be among the Congress attendees tackling some of today's most urgent challenges in nurse anesthesiology?
Join nurse innovator and Hackathon host Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL, along with former AANA president and Beyond the Mask podcast host Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, and 14 expert CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist mentors for an exclusive opportunity to collaborate, compete, and create real-world solutions.
This team-based, high-energy event is free to attend — but space is limited. Only 112 seats are available. Save your seat at aana.com/hackathon.
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
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

Grade 1 View – Ep. 17 – Examining Opioid-Free Anesthesia

In this episode of Grade 1 View, we had the privilege of speaking with Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, a pioneer in the field of opioid-free anesthesia. As the president and founder of the Society of Opioid Free Anesthesia, Tom has dedicated his career to advancing pain management techniques that prioritize patient safety and comfort.
Today he’ll share how his own clinical curiosity led him to abandon intraoperative opioids altogether, and what happened next. From reducing postoperative nausea to improving respiratory safety, this conversation will challenge you to question the status quo and expand your definition of what anesthesia can look like.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💉 What “opioid-free anesthesia” really means
🧠 Why less fentanyl often leads to better outcomes
💊 Key meds used: Ketamine, Precedex, Lidocaine & more
🏥 How to get buy-in from surgeons, admins & care teams
🎓 Resources for students + a free membership offer
 
About our guest: https://goopioidfree.com/
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

Global Anesthesia Outreach In Low-Income Regions

In a world where access to healthcare can vary dramatically, the role of global outreach initiatives has never been more critical. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by nurse anesthesia doctoral student Chris Wheelock to ​discuss ​the ​impact ​of ​global ​outreach ​and ​how ​an ​initiative ​he ​was ​involved ​in ​is ​shaping ​the ​future ​of ​global ​health ​care.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🌍 Only 1 anesthesia provider per 100,000 people in parts of Africa📚 The cost to train a nurse anesthetist
🧠 Why long-term investment beats short-term missions💡 How culture, continuity, and context create better outcomes💸 A new scholarship that connects donors to students and real change
Learn more about Our Heart Your Hands: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/ 
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
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

The R vs. S Enigma: Ketamine Enantiomers and Their Distinct Actions

We dive into the latest research on ketamine's therapeutic potential, including its role in treating ischemic stroke, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and PTSD. You'll hear how scientists are studying its effects on brain regions like the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as its impact on neuroinflammation, fear memory, and neurogenesis.
 
We'll also explore ketamine’s use in anesthesia, its interactions with drugs like oral morphine, and how it's monitored using tools like EEG. From molecular techniques like RT-qPCR and Western blotting to real-world applications—this episode breaks down the science driving ketamine's future in medicine.
 
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🧠 Ketamine’s impact on brain function, cognition, and EEG readings🧬 NMDA receptors, BDNF, cytokines & other molecular targets📉 How ketamine may raise delirium risk in cognitively impaired patients🧪 In vitro studies on ketamine’s anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential📊 Why EEG interpretation—not just BIS numbers—matters for patient safety
 
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
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

Programs to Care for Pregnancy Loss in the OR with Casi Short

CRNAs bring technical precision and expertise to the operating room, but our most powerful impact might be how we show up for our patients during their most vulnerable moments. In this episode, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with Casi Short, a CRNA who developed a compassionate care program for women experiencing pregnancy loss.
Hear how her own fertility struggles and second-trimester losses inspired her to create a supportive program at her hospital for women facing similar grief. This ​is ​a ​story ​of ​heart ​healing ​and ​the ​quiet ​strength ​it ​takes ​to ​stand ​beside ​someone ​in ​their ​darkest ​hour, ​​and ​how ​one ​CRNA ​is ​helping ​transform ​loss ​into ​love ​through ​meaningful ​change.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
👶 The personal losses that led Casi to change the system🏥 How to humanize pregnancy loss care inside the OR🧸 Why a simple comfort bear can make a lasting impact🧠 Addressing staff well-being after traumatic cases❤️ Being courageous enough to “embrace the awkward”
 
🎗 Beyond the Mask is honored to once again sponsor a team for the HALOS Memorial Walk on August 2nd. HALOS is a nonprofit offering hope and healing to families who’ve lost a child, including Sharon when she lost her granddaughter, Emma. This powerful organization is run by parents who truly understand. To join our team or donate, visit the support page here: https://www.givemn.org/story/Boi21g 💛
 
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
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

Grade 1 View – Ep. 16 – Grade 1 View – Ep. 16 – RRNA FAQs – Academic and Clinical Success Strategies

What does wellness really look like for nurse anesthesia residents? Today, Kevin and Charity chat with second-year nurse anesthesia resident Cassie Keefe, co-chair of the AANA Resident Wellness Committee, to answer real questions submitted by residents across the country. From burnout and self-doubt to meal prep and mental health, Cassie, Kevin, and Charity share their strategies for academic and clinical success.  
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧠 Coping with burnout, imposter syndrome, and clinical self-doubt
 🍱 Meal prep tips, grocery shortcuts, and SRNA nutrition hacks
 🩺 Balancing wellness with high expectations in clinical
 📚 Study strategies and the magic of Anki, Apex, and time-blocking
 🫶 How to set boundaries with family & stay connected
 
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