In this episode of The Device Girls Podcast, hosts Sarah Kruse and Haley Gibson sit down with Olivia Reeves (CRNA) for a hilarious, real, and slightly unhinged (in the best way) conversation about life in healthcare, burnout, and how she accidentally became a TikTok favorite while working in anesthesia.

Olivia shares what it’s really like being a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)—from ICU trauma and mental health challenges to the “instant gratification” moments that make anesthesia such a unique career. We also get into the behind-the-scenes of healthcare in America, insurance-driven decision-making, and why so many nurses experience burnout (and what actually helps).

If you’re curious about CRNA school, anesthesia, ICU nursing, medical device sales, or you’re a healthcare worker who needs a laugh… this one’s for you.

🎧 Episode highlights

✅ CRNA vs ICU nursing: the mental load difference

✅ Burnout in healthcare + why changing environments can help

✅ Going 1099 as a CRNA + creating better work-life balance

✅ Being recognized at work from social media (and when it’s not the time 😅)

✅ The truth about influencer work and why it’s more demanding than people think

✅ The best-kept secret of anesthesia… and why it shouldn’t be a secret

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – “Don’t tell people about CRNA or it’ll get saturated” (Olivia’s response)

00:56 – This-or-that icebreaker (wildebeest vs unicorn + Mustang takes the win)

09:39 – Who Olivia was before CRNA

13:28 – Favorite parts of being a CRNA and favorite specialties

17:52 – Being recognized at work and social media stigma in healthcare

25:29 – What changed Olivia’s relationship with healthcare (insurance and systems)

28:23 – Burnout in healthcare and what actually helps

32:26 – Most meaningful patient moments and trauma bonding with coworkers

36:00 – Protecting mental health in high-stress medical careers

39:49 – Advice for CRNA school and shadowing tips

42:23 – How Olivia became an “accidental TikTok star”

👩‍⚕️ About our guest: Olivia Reeves, CRNA

Olivia Reeves is a CRNA with 10+ years in anesthesia, a mom of three, and the creator behind Dibba Dab of Chaos—known for her blunt honesty, humor, and healthcare content.

Olivia Reeves

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_o.crew/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_o.crew

🎙️ Connect with The Device Girls

The Device Girls

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedevicegirls/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedevicegirls

Sarah Kruse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahekruse/

Haley Gibson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyygibssonfit/

Views expressed are our own.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a healthcare friend who needs to feel seen.

💬 Question for you: Have you ever dealt with burnout in healthcare (or med device)? What helped you?

CRNA, Anesthesia, Nurse Anesthetist, ICU Nurse, Healthcare Burnout, Women In Medicine, Medical Sales, Med Device, MedTok, The Device Girls