Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Nurse practitioners play such an important role in healthcare so let’s learn more about the profession. The CEO and president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners join us on this episode to share their accomplishments, challenges, and goals to improve the industry and empower their nurses. Did you know the CEO of the Nurse Practitioners used to work for the AANA? Come join us for a great conversation.  Here's what we have on this episode:  1:46 – Welcome in our guests Sophia Thomas and David Hebert 3:06 – What is a nurse practitioner? 4:44 – Tell us more about your organization, AANP 5:47 – Sophia explains how the AANP is structured. 6:44 – David talks about his role at AANP and a little about the role of nurse practitioners. 8:41 – Why lobbying is so important in this line of work. 9:27 – The AANP has really increased their PR and media efforts in recent years. 11:31 – What are the challenges facing nurse practitioners today? 12:29 – David explains why nurse practitioners should be able to work independently. 14:23 – 28 states still require some sort of collaborations and that makes it difficult on NPs. 17:15 – It’s important for everyone in the profession to understand the issues and then get involved politically. 20:02 – Sharon talks about her goals to get nurses involved in the formulation side of the profession. 22:57 – We want to empower nurses to do more than just work and go home.   23:46 – Quality and cost of healthcare is important to consumers, but so is convenience. These are things that nurse practitioners can provide.    27:01 – A unified voice in the profession is very important and that’s the goal of the AANP. 28:26 – How does your credentialing work? 30:40 – What is David most proud of in his role at the AANP? 31:51 – David shares his history with AANA and what he remembers about that role. 34:18 – Some final thoughts from Sophia on the history of the profession.   To get the full show notes and additional resources from Beyond the Mask, click here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2108

We always talk about the importance of community within the CRNA profession so let’s take it a step further by discussing how and why you should get involved. There are varying levels of involvement, as we’ll get into, but Joe Rodriguez will help us understand what your participation means to the industry.   ***CE CREDIT ALERT: Did you know you can get continuing education credit from the AANA for listening to this episode? Go to https://knowledgenetwork.aana.com/home to get the details and get your credit today! And see a list of other episodes that qualify for CE credit here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/series-ce-credit   Show Notes: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/the-importance-of-getting-involved-with-joe-rodriguez-crna/2079/   Today's rundown: 2:20 – Introducing our guest today, Joe Rodriguez. 3:08 – His topic today is ‘getting involved.’ Here’s why it’s important. 4:07 – Participating in community at work versus neighborhood is a little different for Joe. 5:09 – Have you always been like this or did you develop this interest in getting involved?   7:25 – Should everyone be as engaged as Joe? What’s the happy medium? 9:18 – How many CRNAs total compared to AANA members? 11:16 – What is the average CRNA career worth? 12:17 – Do you remember MI 68? Their story shows why it’s important to be engaged. 13:00 – Sometimes people just need to be asked. 14:23 – Why Joe is so passionate about all these regulatory issues. 15:37 – How do you overcome an opponent that’s better funded? 19:12 – Highlighting the progress that Joe has seen through the years. 21:27 – How do you balance your time to get so much accomplished? 23:43 – If he wasn’t a CRNA, Joe would be a lawyer.                            26:30 – What advice would you give people to get them involved? And specifically for people at different stages of their career – early, middle, late.

As CRNAs, we don’t have a lot of experience dealing with the media or being in front of the camera. We’re used to working behind closed doors and out of the spotlight. But there are times whem we’re called upon to be a spokesperson for a place or an event. That’s why we brought on a public relations specialist to give us tips and techniques that make us feel like the experts we are. Today's rundown:  1:38 – Chris Bettin is our guest today.   2:21 – Some background on Chris 2:48 – Chris about to head off on a new endeavor in PR. 3:27 – Why we’re talking about spokesperson training today.     4:23 – How do you deal with the media and why it’s so important for CRNAs. 5:07 – Every CRNA is a candidate to be interviewed. 6:05 – Scenarios where CRNAs might be called on to be interviewed. 7:21 – What you need to understand about reporters. 8:18 – The biggest fears we have in an interview. 10:15 – Things that Sharon has learned from Chris. 11:35 – The message you’re trying to deliver is critical so don’t wing it. 13:47 – Have a built-in answer ready to give you time to gather yourself. 15:47 – Three techniques for navigating an interview: flagging, hooking and bridging. 20:47 – How can you control your nerves in front of the media?           21:39 – Do’s and Don’ts of spokesperson training.               23:20 – Any other techniques you want to share with us? 24:28 – More on Chris’ new company, Crossdot Communications. Get the show notes and additional resources here: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com

Lynn Macksey, CRNA, has been an expert witness on more than 50 cases and she’s bringing that knowledge to the show to help us understand the legal side to the profession. She’ll share what she’s learned through the years that will help you protect yourself and keep your name out of a case.   Today's rundown:  1:47 – Lynn Macksey is here with us today to talk medical legal implications in anesthesia. 2:18 – Some background on Lynn. 2:32 – How she decided to make the transition into anesthesia after 20+ years in ICU. 4:43 – Why this topic today is so important.    5:29 – Keeping yourself from being named in a case is so important. 5:59 – What are closed claims? 8:14 – Lawsuits now include everyone that has control. 10:08 – What are the reasons for surgical or anesthesia related lawsuits?   13:07 – The four elements of a medical malpractice case that must be present for negligence. 14:54 – What specific cases have you been involved in that might have changed your practice? 18:13 – A story about a former Saturday Night Live cast member.   21:02 – We learn so much from our mistakes. 23:37 – What range of money is involved in these types of cases? 25:48 – Final thoughts from Lynn on this topic. Get the full show notes and additional resources by clicking here. 

Our first installment of the presidential leadership series begins with a conversation with former AANA president Terry Wicks. His decorated career includes this year leading the organization in 2006-07, and we’ll go back with him to discuss the highlights, the challenges, and what he still remembers about the experience. You’ll enjoy some great stories along the way. The rundown for today's episode:  1:53 – Welcoming Terry Wicks to the show. 2:19 – Introducing the Presidential Leadership Series we’ll be doing. 3:26 – Sharon has a story about Terry she wants to share first. 5:02 – Terry talks about the new endeavor he’s taking on at UNC-Greensboro.   6:14 – Highlights from his year as president of the AANA from 2006-07 8:52 – There were some challenges as well.    10:28 – We want to do this series to teach people about the history of the industry and those that have impacted CRNAs.   11:45 – The accessibility of leaders has been so rewarding. 13:17 – What Terry enjoyed best about being the AANA president.   14:40 – What the travel is really like for an AANA president.   16:32 – Another unforgettable story that Terry will always remember.   18:14 – What advice would you give an incoming AANA president? 20:20 – What ways did your experiences shape your participation in the AANA after you left office? 22:30 – Helping people deal with substance abuse has become a passion.   23:46 – What advice would you share with new CRNAs? 25:09 – Is there another profession you’d like to be a part of if you had your choice? 26:50 – Some parting words from Terry.   Get the full show notes and additional resources by clicking here. 

The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists is celebrating 30 years as an organization in 2019 and we had the chance to spend some time with four current board members and one past president. During this episode, we had the chance to talk about the IFNA’s history, its mission, where it hopes to go in the future, and much more. Check out the full show notes by clicking here.----more---- Today's rundown:  1:54 – Introducing today’s topic on the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists          2:09 – Welcome in our IFNA guests to the show. 2:28 – Some history on IFNA and how it formed from Sandy Oullette 5:15 – President Jackie Rowles introduces today’s panel: 1st VP Ingrid Andersson, Treasurer Zorica Kardos, and Executive Committee member Gye Seon Jeong 5:58 – Andersson shares the value of IFNA to her Swedish national organization.   7:16 – Similar practices between US and Sweden. 9:15 – Gye Seon Jeong on her experience with IFNA in Korea  14:10 – How many nurse anesthetists in Korea? 15:40 – Zorica Kardis from Slovenia joins the show to share her experiences. 16:40 – The challenges of being the treasurer of an international organization. 18:43 – The number of CRNAs in Slovenia and how their practice compares to the US. 20:05 – How the IFNA supports the growth within individual countries.   21:15 – 107 countries reported nurses provide nurse anesthesia and we have 43 country members. 21:48 – What IFNA is doing to grow and expand the organization.   22:55 – What are the greatest accomplishments of the IFNA? 26:33 – Where is the focus for the IFNA in the future? 28:49 – Each guests shares their best memory of IFNA 43:54 – Sandy Oullette shares a funny story. 46:27 – Jacky shares some closing comments on IFNA.

Whether you’re looking for that first CRNA job or you're a veteran in the industry, the interview process can be stressful. It’s easy to question yourself and your preparation. That’s why we wanted to bring on a guest from one of the country’s top medical centers to give you an inside look at the interview process and share tips to help you land your next job. Visit the Beyond The Mask Podcast website... ----more---- Show Notes: 2:17 – Introducing our guest Laura Ardizzone 5:46 – What we’re talking about today: CRNA job interviews 7:10 – What are some of the skills and strategies of the interviewer? 9:16 – Be confident that your future employer has seen your social media posts. 10:00 – Some companies/hospitals utilize software to cull social media feeds. 11:28 – Social media works both ways and employers are often reviewed by candidates. 12:52 – CRNAs are in high demand right now.  13:46 – Resources that can help you prepare for an interview. 15:00 – What types of questions are off-limits? 15:50 – Jeremy shares a funny interview story. 17:02 – A surprising thing that candidates have told Laura. 18:58 – How long does a typical interview last? 19:42 – A question that Laura commonly likes to ask to gauge the interview direction. 20:32 – Should CRNA’s ask about time off during an interview? 21:45 – How should you dress for an interview? 22:36 – How and when should a candidate follow up after an interview? 24:30 – What if you haven’t heard back for a while? 25:40 – Have you ever hired someone that turned out to be completely different than expected? 26:25 – Final words of wisdom from Laura.

There’s some concern in educational circles that the history of nurse anesthesia has lost importance during the evolution of the profession. We want to dive into that topic today and explore the history, accomplishments, and milestones with two experts on the subject. Sandra Ouellette and Evan Koch will provide historical insight and some wonderful information on this episode. Check out the full show notes by clicking here.----more---- Today's rundown:  1:38 – Introducing Sandra Ouellette, one of our guests today. 3:50 – A little background on Ouellette’s career and recent honor. 5:16 – Introducing our second guest Evan Koch and his background. 6:16 – Our main topic today: relevance of nurse anesthesia history in evolution of profession. 6:46 – What are some of the common themes found throughout history? 9:05 – Surgeons can be a CRNA’s greatest asset. 9:26 – Surgeon Evarts Graham’s impact on the history of the industry. 11:18 – Humbug in anesthesia at the outset of discovery. 12:47 – Ouellette on some of the history that’s been edited through the years. 14:01 – Where you can find a lot of great information on anesthesia history. 14:47 – The role that educators have played in our history. 15:54 – Helen Lamb’s impact. 17:00 – Educators have faced various threats and obstacles through the years. 19:30 – Contributions that CRNA’s have made on anesthesia. 22:19 – Has the discussion of professional identity been around for a while? The debate surrounding the title Nurse Anesthesiologist. 28:23 – It’s important to know and understand the history of nurse anesthesia. 30:51 – What’s the difference between DNPs vs PhD? 34:38 – When did history get taken out of the nurse anesthesia curriculum? 39:17 – History of the CRNA journal and other achievements. 42:13 – Closing thoughts from both guests.

Peripheral nerve blocks are a growing type of regional anesthesia and there’s an app out there that serves as a reference guide for CRNAs. We brought on Block Buddy co-founders Scott Urigel and Jeff Molter to find out how the idea was developed and how it’s benefiting the industry. Check out the full show notes for this episode by clicking here. ----more---- Today's rundown:  1:38 – To Block or Not to Block: That is the question 2:00 – Introducing our guests: Scott Urigel and Jeff Molter. 2:26 – Who are our guests today? 4:05 – How difficult was it to develop the Block Buddy app? 6:39 – How long did the process take? 8:57 – The app has evolved quite a bit since it was first published. 9:37 – How are CRNAs utilizing blocks now? 10:30 – What we’ve been seeing from large anesthesia companies in Ohio. 12:12 – There’s always a learning curve and peripheral nerve blocks are no different. 13:53 – When we first started doing it, we thought it was the worst idea. 15:18 – Some locations nationwide have limitations on blocks in our practice. 17:03 – Block Buddy is hosting its own conferences and programs now. 20:30 – Is there a financial opportunity for CRNAs? 22:08 – How can a CRNA that learns this skill go out and benefit from it? 24:38 – Congratulating Scott for a great award he just won. 25:17 – Jeff won Ohio CRNA of the Year.

Protecting yourself should be a priority for every CRNA and often times it’s easy to think that you’re already covered. But there are many options to consider with malpractice insurance, from the policy type to the company that you purchase the policy through. John Fetcho, Director of AANA Insurance Services, joins us to these differences and clear up any misconceptions we might have. See the full show notes on our website here.----more---- Take a look at the rundown for this episode: 1:40 – Welcome John Fetcho – Director of AANA Insurance Services 2:47 – Why is this topic of malpractice insurance so important? 4:50 – You want to understand who is insuring you and what coverage you have. 7:16 – Occurrence coverage vs claims made 10:45 – The two types of insurance companies: Admitted and Non-Admitted 14:30 – When CRNA is involved in a claim, 100% of the time there are legal expenses. 15:28 – How can you find ratings for insurance companies? 17:51 – Insurance policies aren’t created equally. There are significant differences. 20:39 – Are moonlighting policies still available? 21:42 – A real-life story about a how a supplemental policy could have made a huge difference. 24:26 – How the policy premiums different state to state. 30:00 – AANA is there as a resource for members. 31:11 – AANA premiums for CRNAs have gone down 33% since they began.