Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Today we’re going to turn our attention back to the financial side of our CRNA discussions and focus on the issues that can creep into a marriage when it comes to money. That’s something many couples will argue over so we want to make sure you’re addressing the minefields that might test any marriage.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Why it’s important for you to know how your partner feels about money before you get married. Figuring out whether you should combine finances, keep them completely separate, or do some combination of the two.   Determining what your priorities are for life and your career and focusing on how your finances play into that. Being on the same page about debt. Should you consider a prenup before marriage? The steps you need to take with an estate plan after you get married.   Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Sacrifice is part of the job when you’re a nurse. We all understand that comes with the territory. But there’s an even greater level of sacrifice for those who try to be advocates and leaders within the profession. Today we’re joined a gain by guest host Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, FAANA, and Yana Krmic, MSN, CRNA, APRN to discuss the obstacles we’ve all faced throughout our careers. We explore what it means to be a leader in a challenging profession, the personal experiences that define our career trajectories, and the value of finding purpose in the work we do.   Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: Her journey from the Soviet Union to the United States in 1997. Yana’s pathway to leadership and the obstacles she faced as she tried advance her career. The five step process in becoming an advocate. Leaders aren’t always rewarded in our profession and it means we make sacrifices. What causes some CRNAs to be unsupportive of others in the profession. The things from the work we did during COVID. Would Yana have done things differently if she could go back?   Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

We all have the current requirement to take the CPC Assessment for recertification, and many of our colleagues are asking us “How can I prepare?”. In an effort to help get our CRNA nation in the mode of answering questions… Jeremy and Sass are going to start doing occasional question and answer episodes. In this episode they go over respiratory and cardiac physiology questions. This will bring you right back to CRNA school (for better or worse), so have fun!   Here are some of the things we’ll discuss in this episode: A review of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction When increased, which factor increases myocardial oxygen consumption to the greatest degree? Which factors cause a leftward shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve? Which vascular response occurs during hypotension? Which inspiratory muscles are involved with a supplemental inspiratory effect during times of respiratory distress? Which cardiac responses are associated with bradycardia?     About our hosts: https://kpatprogram.org/about-the-school/faculty.html  Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Our guest today has quite the story to tell about advocacy but it’s not the same advocacy we normally discuss on the show. Maureen McCartney Anderson, CRNA has been in-volved with her state association in New Jersey for a number of years and was on the path of advocating for professional rights, but that changed dramatically when her baby was born with handicaps. Now she’s pouring much of her energy into advocating for the special needs children’s population and making a difference in her community with the help of other CRNAs. She realized quickly that some children were being left behind at the playground because they lacked inclusive options for children and adults of all abilities. So she took on the task of advocating for an inclusive playground in her local community of Mansquan, New Jersey. In doing so, they developed a charity called Friends of Manasquan Parks and Recreation to help expand the mission and vision they had for recreation initiatives.  Things really took off when the group ‘CRNA Moms’ got involved and the two-year project was officially completed in December 2022. Today we’ll learn more about Maureen’s advocacy efforts and how the CRNA community rallied around a wonderful cause.   Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: The story of how this mission became a top priority for her after her son were born. How she’s helped educate people on the need for inclusivity. The back-and-forth efforts they went through on design and why they cared so much about making it fun for everyone. The incredible support she received from the CRNA community after reaching out to the CRNA Moms Facebook group. The different fundraising efforts they took on to raise money for this $900,000 project. What’s next for Maureen and the charity?   Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) is rapidly gaining recognition for its effectiveness in alleviating acute and chronic pain, as well as anxiety. When we heard Angel Jaap, CRNA speak about this at the AANA Spring Symposium, we wanted to bring her on to learn more about this alternative therapy. You’ll understand why she wants more nurses to learn this protocol after you hear some of the applications and success stories she shares today.   For those that aren’t familiar with BFA, patients undergo insertion of five auricular semi-permanent (ASP) needles to the following traditional ear acupuncture points bilaterally: Cingulate Gyrus, Thalamus, Omega 2, Point Zero and Shenmen. Angel learned about this over the past few years and has instituted a Pilot program through Whole Health within VISN 4 which allows RNs to perform BFA for veterans thereby increasing veterans access to this safe, effective pain management therapy.   You’ll learn more about that and have a much better understanding of BFA after listening to our conversation during our trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania.   Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: How therapeutic touch works and why it makes you feel the way it does. How BFA was developed and why the VA began incorporating this into patient care. What does a day at work look like for Angel? Angel shares a wonderful success story about treating a veteran and PTSD. The smaller needles used in BFA have been effective for people scared of needles.   Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Caring for surgical patients who have an associated penicillin allergy is relatively common. Should we avoid cefazolin (Ancef) in these patients? In this episode, Jeremy and Sass look at current and past evidence to uncover the truth about the relationship between penicillin and Ancef. This episode will get you thinking about the antibiotics you administer in your anesthesia practice.   Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: An estimated 8-10% of patients have an allergy to penicillin and where did this projection come from? Why many people might think they have a penicillin allergy but test negative. Why are we concerned that medications might cause allergies? What the information and studies tell us. Three cases where a patient had a documented penicillin allergy and received Ancef. The efficacy of the other antibiotics. What a liability study discovered. Our key takeaways from the evidence we have.   About our hosts: https://kpatprogram.org/about-the-school/faculty.html  Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Have you ever been caught off guard when asked to explain who you are or what’s important to you? That's a conundrum our guest Julie Gauderman, MS, DNAP, APRN, CNRA is here to help you navigate. Together with co-host Tracy Castleman, DNP, CRNA, APN-A, FAANA, we dive into the concept of an elevator speech, how to craft it, and why it’s an effective way to confidently represent your profession and control your narrative.   Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: Her story about meeting comedian Jim Gaffigan and how it shows the importance of having that elevator speech ready. The role the elevator speech plays for CRNA in professional settings. Having this prepared can give you confidence and allow you to control the narrative. Is there a bad time for an elevator speech? What do you need to include in your elevator speech and do you need different ones for various situations. Times when elevator speeches didn’t go the way we intended. Where to start if you’re uncomfortable putting an elevator speech together.   About our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-gauderman-b6286182 Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf    

It has been more than a decade since Paul Santoro, CRNA, MS, served as the president of the AANA, but his impact on the organization can still be seen today. In this installment of our Courage to Lead series, we were finally able to catch up with Paul to talk about a busy year at the AANA, which included the new Affordable Care Act, time spent on the elimination of physician supervision under Part A of Medicare, the 50 state service strategy, and much more.   Here are some of the things we’ll discuss in this episode: The time spent on the elimination of physician supervision under Part A of Medicare. His decision to take on a restructuring of the finance department. The idea behind the 50 state service strategy. What he thought the Affordable Care Act would mean on anesthesia and what he thinks looking back now. The Commission on Anesthesia, Economics and Reimbursement Why they worked to improve the health of leadership but also increase the compensation for those that served the AANA. What value did having a CRNA in the D.C. office bring to the organization?   About our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-santoro-55922531/ Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Earlier this week, the AANA presented a new initiative called Rm8 to members in a business meeting with Bill Bruce. As you can imagine, there are a lot of questions so we wanted to go to the source and get as many answers as we could for you. Board members Tracy Young, CRNA, MBA and Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA sat down with us at the AANA Annual Congress in Seattle to explain the new innovation lab and what they hope it provides CRNAs around the country. Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: How this will help diversify the revenue streams for the AANA while also providing financial support for CRNAs. The name is a nod to the formation of the AANA. They break down the different steps of the process to find people and businesses to partner with. How they believe this will help the AANA ramp up advocacy efforts. How does the investment process work and where is the capital coming from? Details on the businesses they’re testing right now.   Learn more about Rm8: https://www.rm8lab.com/ About our guest: https://myblockbuddy.com/instructors/jeffrey-molter-crna-msn-mbs/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-young-158126200/ Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Have you ever managed an airway with both a video-laryngoscope and a flexible intubating (fiberoptic) scope? Wait…what??? Yep, in this episode Jeremy and Sass talk about an evolving airway management technique that utilizes both devices to help secure difficult airways. They call it VIFI!   Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show: What is VIFI and how does it work? What are the advantages to using this technique? Case reports of airway obstruction and airway closure. A case study of successful airway management using video laryngoscope. How do you perform this process?   About our hosts: https://kpatprogram.org/about-the-school/faculty.html  Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com  Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf