In this episode, we take a deep dive into navigating the AANA Mid-Year Assembly—specifically designed to help RNs and APRNs understand how to approach the conference with clarity, confidence, and intention. This episode is part of the Advocacy Mini-Series, and it's the most important one yet!

If you’re attending Mid-Year Assembly, it can feel overwhelming—a full schedule, unfamiliar terminology, and the question: Where do I even start?

To break this down, I’m joined by Matthew Thackston, the Senior Director of Congressional Affairs for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Matt plays a critical role in leading federal advocacy efforts for CRNAs on Capitol Hill and has been recognized as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists for his impact in shaping healthcare policy.

Together, we walk through the structure of Mid-Year Assembly—from orientation and foundational sessions to strategy and execution—so you know exactly what presentations to attend and how each day builds toward Capitol Hill.

We also demystify what it’s like to step into a Capitol Hill meeting for the first time—what to expect, how to prepare, and how to confidently represent the nurse anesthesia profession.

This episode is designed to help you move from simply attending… to fully engaging.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear understanding of which sessions matter most and why
• Insight into how advocacy shapes the future of our profession
• Practical guidance for preparing for Capitol Hill Day
• And the mindset needed to show up with confidence

CRNA Mentor exists to help you navigate this journey with clarity, confidence, and intention—and this episode is your roadmap to doing exactly that at Mid-Year Assembly.

If you’re serious about understanding the profession at a deeper level, this is where that process begins.

Thank you for tuning in. If this episode helps you prepare for Mid-Year Assembly, share it with someone attending with you.

Join us in the CRNA Mentor Community: https://facebook.com/groups/crnamentorcommunity

Check out my other CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor

New episodes drop every Monday—start your week off right with CRNA Mentor Monday.

In this episode, we go inside CRNA school—what it actually looks like, what it demands of you, and how to make the most of the experience once you’ve been accepted.

I’m joined by Madisyn Granoski, a Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist at the University of Scranton, Student Trustee with PANA, and someone who has fully immersed herself in the profession early in her training. This conversation is centered around a simple idea: getting accepted is not the finish line—it’s just the beginning.

We talk through her transition from the ICU into anesthesia training, the mindset shifts required early on, and what surprised her most when starting the program. You’ll hear what day-to-day life actually looks like as a SRNA, how she balances clinical, didactic, and personal responsibilities, and the challenges that come with training at this level.

We also dive into her experience attending the AANA Mid-Year Assembly and her role as a Student Trustee with PANA—why involvement in state and national organizations matters, how it shapes your perspective of the profession, and why advocacy is something you should be thinking about earlier than you might expect.

This episode is about pulling back the curtain on what aspiring CRNAs don’t always see: – What actually matters once you’re in school – What applicants tend to over-focus on – And how to start becoming someone who truly belongs in this profession

If you’re on the path to CRNA school, this episode will help you better understand what’s ahead—and how to approach it with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Join us in the CRNA Mentor Community: https://facebook.com/groups/crnamentorcommunity

Check out my other CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor

New episodes drop every Monday—start your week off right with CRNA Mentor Monday.

In this episode of the CRNA Mentor Podcast, we’re diving into the RN/APRN Meet & Greet at the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Mid-Year Assembly—and more importantly, how to navigate this experience with confidence.

If you’re planning to attend Mid-Year Assembly as a nurse or aspiring CRNA, it’s completely normal to feel uncertain walking into a conference centered around advocacy. Questions like Where do I go? Who do I talk to? Do I even belong here? are more common than you think—and they’re exactly why this Meet & Greet was created.

In this episode, I walk you through how the RN/APRN Meet & Greet came to life, what you can expect if you attend, and how to approach the conference in a way that removes the guesswork. We’ll talk about the unique environment of Mid-Year Assembly, the role of advocacy in our profession, and why immersing yourself in this space can completely change your perspective as an aspiring CRNA.

You’ll also hear about the incredible lineup of speakers joining this year’s Meet & Greet, including program directors, current residents, and leaders in nurse anesthesia—all coming together to help you better understand the profession and your place within it.

My goal with this episode—and with the Meet & Greet itself—is simple: to help you feel welcomed, supported, and prepared.

This isn’t about showing up and trying to figure everything out on your own.

It’s about giving you a starting point, helping you build connections, and making sure you walk into this experience with clarity instead of uncertainty.

We’ll also discuss:

• What makes Mid-Year Assembly different from other conferences
• How to network—even if you’re introverted
• The “Meeting Before the Meeting” and how to connect before you arrive
• How to get the most out of your time in Washington, D.C.

This episode is part of the CRNA Mentor Advocacy Mini-Series—designed to help you understand the importance of advocacy in nurse anesthesia.

The following CRNA Mentor Podcast episodes are part of the Advocacy Mini-Series:

• 3: Why History Matters in Nurse Anesthesia
• 4: Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act & Its Impact on Nurse Anesthesia Education
• 5: Catch the Bug: Why Immersing Yourself in Nurse Anesthesia Changes Everything
• 10: RN/APRN Meet & Greet: How to Navigate the AANA Mid-Year Assembly with Confidence

If you’re attending Mid-Year Assembly—or even considering it—this is where you start.

Sign up here for Mid-Year Assembly https://www.aana.com/premier-event/mid-year-assembly/attend/

Join us in the CRNA Mentor Community: https://facebook.com/groups/crnamentorcommunity

Check out additional CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor

New episodes drop every Monday—start your week with clarity, confidence, and intention.