CRNA Advisors Library
At CRNA Advisors, we make it our mission to provide expert knowledge affecting CRNAs and other investors today. Putting you at the forefront of the financial industry, the blog posts found here give in-depth information to help you make wise financial decisions.
Consider all these posts “CRNA Knowledge and Insight.”
Click the button below to download the Certification of Completion to get Class B CE Credit after listening to our podcasts
The Growing Threat of Inflation on CRNAs
As a dedicated and motivated CRNA, you have spent your entire career being an advocate for your patients in the operating room. You’ve put in countless hours, either as a W-2 employee or as a locum contractor, in a fast-paced career that can eventually afford you the freedom to retire comfortably.
Ep. 135: Closed Claims Involving CRNAs and SRNAs
No matter how closely you follow standard of care, mistakes can be made in the operating room. CRNAs often get named in claims, even if they did everything right, so it’s important to be aware of how this happens. Marjorie Everson, PhD, CRNA, has been studying closed claims and there are plenty of findings that she hopes can help CRNAs and SRNAs in the future.
Ep. 133: Geographic Information Used to Identify Veteran Suicide Risk
The rate of suicides among our veteran population continues to rise and the number is probably higher than most people realize. The good news is people are leveraging incredible new data to improve support and care for those that need it most. Kevin Driscoll, DNP, MSN, CRNA, is the only CRNA certified in these geographic information systems (GIS) and he joins us today to share his passion for data, how it’s being used to serve veterans, and the other possibilities that could come from GIS.
Ep. 132: The Silent Epidemic in Healthcare
There’s a relatively new concept in the healthcare industry that many of its professionals are facing and might not even realize it. The ‘Second Victim’ phenomenon hasn’t always been well-known but more and more people are acknowledging this silent epidemic that frontline workers like CRNAs are dealing with every day. Robyn Finney, APRN, CRNA, DNAP has created a peer support program called HELP – Healing Emotional Lives of Peers – that is working diligently to improve the lives of anesthesia providers, and she joins the show today to help us better understand this phenomenon and how it’s affecting our industry.
Six Tips For Optimizing Your Locum CRNA Experience
Freedom! It is one of the main reasons CRNAs cite for becoming independent contractors. They want the freedom to achieve a better work/life balance, opportunity for growth and travel, plus scheduling flexibility.
Ep. 129: 6 Months To Live: A Patient’s Views on Healthcare Policy
You won’t find many people on this planet that have a story to tell like Nick Zerwas. Born with congenital heart defect, Zerwas has been given six months to live on six separate occasions but he’s still here living life to the fullest. Who better to get an opinion on healthcare policy changes than someone like Zerwas, who has also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives? Join us as we hear his amazing story of beating the odds and how he’s overcoming his greatest fear of wasting precious time by trying to make a difference.
Ep. 127: A CRNA’s Experience Being Deployed to Afghanistan
Most people buy an expensive car or go on an outlandish spending spree when they’re in their late-40s, but Michael Rieker, CRNA, DNP, FAAN, isn’t like most people. Instead of doing any of those other things, he used his talent and skills in nurse anesthesia to join the Army Reserve, which led to him serving in Afghanistan. Today he’ll tell us about that experience and how it’s helped him in his current role at Wake Forest University.
What Retirement Lifestyle Will You Choose?
With all that’s going on today, many CRNAs are reconsidering what’s truly important in life. Over the past year, the pandemic has impacted so many aspects of our everyday lives, and as a result, we are seeing more and more CRNAs choose to retire early.
Ep. 122: How Goldie Brangman, CRNA, Broke Barriers Throughout Her Life
Goldie Brangman, CRNA, might be known best for becoming the AANA’s first African-American president, but there’s so much more to know about her life and career. Today we wanted to celebrate everything she accomplished, including helping save Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s life, and we do so with the help of Nancy Bruton-Maree, CRNA, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA.
Ep. 121: Begin Your Path to a CRNA Non-Surgical Pain Management Practice
There’s a growing need for pain management solutions in our country and it could be the next great opportunity for CRNAs. Cheryl Schosky, DNAP, MSN, CRNA, is one of only 89 CRNAs in the country with a non-surgical pain management certification and will share everything she’s learned about the practice and why she believes it needs to become an educational track for future CRNAs.
Ep. 120: The Secret Middle East Mission CRNAs Took Part In
It’s like a story right out of a Hollywood blockbuster. One that involves predawn flights, heavy military ammunitions, and a Crown Prince from the United Arab Emirates. Most importantly, it’s a secret mission involving CRNAs. Join us as we get the first-hand account of this 2017 covert operation from Lt. Col Laura Wiggins, CRNA, who was a part of this flight into Yemen.
Ep. 118: A CRNA’s Light In the Darkness featuring Steve James, CRNA
The loss of a child can be the greatest weight a parent can carry through life, but Steve James, CRNA, and his wife turned a tragedy into a world-changing mission. Today we’ll learn all about this remarkable journey from Alabama to Kenya and how CRNAs are making a major difference halfway around the globe.
Ep. 117: How Dr. Lena Gould is Improving Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia
When you look at areas of the nurse anesthesia profession that need improvement, diversity would be near the top of that list. Thanks to Dr. Lena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAAN, there’s a mentorship program in place that is helping facilitate entry into the profession for people of color. Today we’ll spotlight that work that’s being done, share Dr. Gould’s incredible journey to this point, and discuss ways to keep increasing diversity in the operating room.
Ep. 116: Importance of Mentoring in CRNA Leadership Development
For more than 20 years, the AANA Mentorship Program has played an integral role in the development of young CRNAs thanks to both the mentors and mentees that have committed to the annual event. Tracy Castleman, CRNA, has been deeply involved in the mentoring process so we asked her to join us to talk about the program, why it’s important for CRNAs to get involved, and what young professionals can expect to get out of this experience.
Ep. 115: Summit Your Everest – A CRNA’s Story of Peaks, Valleys, and World Records
If you’re in the need for inspiration, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better story than the one that Jeanne Stawiecki, CRNA, will tell on this episode. Thanks to the power of positive and determined thinking, she went from smoking two packs of cigarettes each day to setting two Guinness World Records for marathon running and mountain climbing. It’s an incredibly powerful and emotional story and one you don’t want to miss.
Ep. 114: Crucibles of Leadership with AANA CEO Dr. Randall Moore
Being the lead of an organization like the AANA takes a special set of leadership skills, but reaching that point doesn’t come without obstacles like uncertainty and doubt. Join us as we talk with AANA CEO Randy Moore, DNP, MBA, CRNA, about his journey to his leadership role and how he’s handled periods of self-doubt along the way.
Life In A 50-50 World: What Financial Impact Will it Have On CRNAs?
Another Inauguration Day has passed, and while it was historic, as always, it also felt different this time. Certainly, the country remains split on where we’re headed. One party is optimistic for the future, while the other is concerned about what’s to come.
How To Financially Prepare for 2021 and Beyond
When we celebrated New Year’s Eve a year ago, who could have guessed that 2020 would have gone the way it has? It’s worth taking a look back at the year to review the financial challenges that CRNAs have faced and consider these six strategies to put ourselves in a more secure position moving forward.
The CRNA’s Quick Reference Guide To Working As An Independent Contractor
Becoming a CRNA independent contractor can be complicated, but very lucrative. Every day, our experts help freelance CRNAs from all across the country make sure they are taking advantage of all the opportunities that 1099 can bring. Whether you're a seasoned 1099 veteran or just starting out, our experienced team can review your situation to make sure you aren't missing out on some of the benefits of being a CRNA freelancer.
How COVID-19 Has Affected The Economy And CRNA Retirements
For many years, the CRNA profession has been a relatively stable and financially secure career path, but the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in countless ways all across the globe this year. As a result, many CRNAs have experienced reduced hours, furloughs, salary cuts and/or employer retirement plan changes.