Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

What happens when nurse anesthesia education moves beyond the traditional classroom? Recorded at the AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Sharon and guest co-host Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, FAANA, sit down with longtime CRNA educator Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA to explore how virtual classrooms, simulation, podcasts, VR, AI, and new teaching strategies are changing the way future CRNAs learn. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 💻 Virtual learning can expand access without lowering standards. 🤝 Mentorship remains vital—even in a digital classroom. 🧠 Understanding matters more than memorization. 🥽 VR, podcasts, and AI are reshaping CRNA education. 🎓 Great education blends didactic learning with clinical experience.   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

A career in nurse anesthesia does not have to follow one path. For Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA, it certainly did not. His career has included clinical practice, entrepreneurship, business leadership, advocacy, state association leadership, national board service, and eventually the presidency of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. But one of the most interesting parts of his story is that none of it was part of one grand plan. The new AANA President joins Grade 1 View from Annual Congress in Boston to share how his path evolved from bedside nursing and anesthesia into entrepreneurship, advocacy, and national leadership.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🙏 Practice Gratitude: Meaningful work is worth appreciating 🤝 Lead Together: Strong boards move as one 🚀 Think Bigger: CRNA careers can extend beyond clinical care 📣 Get Involved: Advocacy often starts with one experience 🧭 Take the Next Step: Careers do not need a master plan   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

What does nurse anesthesia practice look like in Finland? That question is at the center of this episode of Beyond the Mask, recorded at the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists meeting in Australia. Sharon and guest co-host Kevin Chem sit down with Sari Pyhälä, a Finnish RN specialized in anesthesia and perioperative care, to learn more about how her profession differs from the model many U.S. CRNAs know. Sari explains Finland’s education pathway, the role of on-the-job training, and how nurse anesthetists work within a physician-supervised model while still taking on significant responsibility for preparing, maintaining, and safely transitioning anesthesia care. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🌍 Nurse anesthesia looks different around the world. 🎓 Finland relies heavily on on-the-job anesthesia training. 🤝 Teamwork and mutual respect drive anesthesia care. 🗣️ Workplace challenges cross countries and generations. ❤️ Sari calls nurse anesthesia “a wonderful life.”   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/sari-pyhala/ 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

Think great simulation training requires a massive budget and a high-fidelity mannequin? Jennifer McLeod, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, would disagree. In this episode of Airway Exchange, recorded live at AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Greg sits down with Jennifer to talk about her approach to preparing the next generation of simulation educators. She explains how some of the most effective simulation experiences can be built with simple tools, thoughtful scenarios, and strong debriefing. The central message is simple: simulation can be accessible, practical, and incredibly powerful when educators focus less on technology and more on thoughtful design, reflection, and confidence. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: Debriefing is where much of the real learning happens. Simulation doesn't have to be expensive or highly technical. Psychological safety is essential. Simulation helps build clinical reasoning, not just technical skills. Soft skills matter just as much as medication knowledge.   Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request About our guest: https://www.nku.edu/our-people/profiles/chhs/jennifer-mcleod-dnap-aprn-crna.html  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

What does the future of the AANA and the CRNA profession look like? Recorded live at the 2026 AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with AANA CEO Bill Bruce to discuss an organization and profession experiencing significant growth. With more than 4,700 attendees at the Congress, Bruce outlines the AANA’s newly adopted strategic plan and the three pillars designed to guide its next chapter: develop and own the evidence, define the standards of excellence, and dominate policy. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🎯 AANA has a new strategic direction. 📊 AANA wants to strengthen the research and data needed to demonstrate safety, evaluate care models, support CRNA practice, and make stronger advocacy arguments. 🏛️ Policy remains a major priority. 📱 AANA is investing in new digital resources. 📈 There are strong signs of growth across the CRNA 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