Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

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
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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

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

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
 

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

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

Today we’re taking listeners beyond technical skill and into one of the most critical yet often overlooked competencies in the operating room: emotional intelligence. In a profession defined by precision, timing, and high-stakes decision-making, the ability to understand and manage emotions can be just as vital as mastering airway management or pharmacology.
Joining the conversation is Brian Barry, who brings a powerful perspective on how emotional intelligence shapes not only individual performance but also team dynamics, leadership effectiveness, and ultimately patient outcomes. 
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🧠 EQ drives performance more than IQ 
⚠️ Low EQ can impact patient outcomes 
🔥 Stress amplifies emotional reactions 
🗣️ How you communicate matters more than what you say 
🔄 Emotional intelligence is learnable
 
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

The transition from classroom to clinical rotations can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking as expectations, personalities, and environments vary from day to day. Knowing what to expect can help ease the anxiety and better prepare you for this critical period of training.  Today, all of our hosts are back together to break down what clinicals actually look like from the student perspective.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
⏰ Show up early and prepared 
🧠 Know your patient inside and out 
🤝 Attitude matters more than skill early on
💥 You will make mistakes and that’s expected 
🧩 Every preceptor is different 
 
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