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.

One of the biggest mistakes I see aspiring CRNAs make is applying to programs they don’t truly understand. They spend months perfecting their resume, studying for the GRE, and preparing their applications—but they’ve never taken the time to deeply learn about the programs they’re applying to.

This episode is designed to change that.

CRNA program information sessions and open houses are some of the most valuable and most underutilized resources available to applicants. They give you direct access to the people making admissions decisions and provide insight into what programs truly value in their students.

But more importantly—they shift your mindset.

Because CRNA programs aren’t just evaluating whether you’re a good fit for them… You should be evaluating whether the program is the right fit for you.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Canale, AANA Region 9 Director and Program Director at the University of South Florida, one of the largest nurse anesthesia programs in the country.

Together, we take you inside what CRNA program information sessions are really designed to do—and how to use them to your advantage.

We break down:

• Why these sessions matter from a program director’s perspective
• What applicants should actually be paying attention to
• How to evaluate clinical training, program structure, and educational resources
• The importance of understanding cohort statistics and expectations
• Why life logistics: finances, family, and support systems—must be part of your decision
• How to engage with faculty and current students with professionalism and intention
• Common mistakes applicants make during these interactions

We also discuss the University of South Florida’s upcoming open house, what makes their program unique, and what applicants can expect when they attend.

This episode will change the way you approach the application process.

From guessing… to understanding. From applying broadly… to applying strategically.

Because you only get one shot at this—and how you approach the process matters.

Join 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.

The CRNA Mentor Community has grown into one of one of the most inclusive and diverse spaces online for aspiring nurse anesthetists — bringing together students, ICU nurses, SRNAs, CRNAs, CRNA school program faculty, and aspiring CRNAs from around the world.

But joining a professional community and truly leveraging it for growth are two very different things.

In this episode, I walk you through how to intentionally use the CRNA Mentor Community to accelerate your growth on the path to becoming a CRNA.

We discuss:

• Why most online communities create confusion instead of clarity • The culture and mission behind the CRNA Mentor Community • How intentional engagement leads to professional growth • Four practical ways to leverage the community for mentorship, networking, and strategic development • Why proximity to motivated peers, CRNA leaders, and program faculty can transform how you think about this profession

This episode also serves as an orientation for new members and a reset for longtime members — helping establish the expectations, professionalism, and culture that make this community unique.

The goal of CRNA Mentor platform has always been simple: to inspire, motivate, and mentor the next generation of nurse anesthetists.

Community is one of the fastest ways to shape identity and accelerate growth — but only if you engage intentionally.

If you're part of the CRNA Mentor Community, this episode will show you how to use it strategically.

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

Explore additional CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor

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

Many aspiring CRNAs interpret rejection personally.

But admissions committees aren’t making emotional decisions — they’re making predictive ones.

This episode was inspired by and built upon Dr. Mike MacKinnon’s Substack article:

Didn’t Get Accepted to a CRNA Program? Read This First. Part 1: How Admissions Actually Work.

Dr. MacKinnon is a practicing nurse anesthesiologist, educator, national policy leader, FAANA, and Associate Professor and Assistant Director at the National University CRNA program. His article offers one of the clearest, most honest explanations of how admissions committees actually evaluate applicants.

In this episode, we expand on the ideas from his article and unpack what truly separates eligible applicants from competitive ones.

We discuss:

• Why minimum requirements make you eligible — not competitive • The math behind how selective CRNA admissions really are • Why science GPA is such a strong predictor of downstream success • What leadership actually looks like from an admissions committee’s perspective • The role of professional engagement: conferences, shadowing, advocacy • How interviews function as a stress test • The most common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them

At its core, this episode reframes rejection. Admissions committees are asking one central question:

“Based on the documented evidence in front of us, what is the probability this applicant will succeed in a program that does not slow down?”

If you didn’t get accepted this cycle, this episode will help you understand why — and more importantly, what to do next.

I highly encourage you to read Dr. MacKinnon’s full article here: https://open.substack.com/pub/justgas/p/didnt-get-accepted-to-a-crna-program?r=1lbun3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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.

What Is Your Why?

There’s a moment in your CRNA school interview when everything gets quiet.

You’ve talked about your ICU experience. You’ve answered the clinical questions. And then someone leans forward and asks:

“Why do you want to be a CRNA?”

And in that moment, you realize they’re not asking about your resume. They’re asking about who you are — and what drives you.

In this episode of the CRNA Mentor Podcast, we unpack one of the most important and most misunderstood question in your CRNA journey. I break down the difference between surface-level emotion and a deeply rooted “why,” and why answers built purely on burnout, money, or escaping the bedside will never feel compelling — even if they’re honest.

We explore:

• The first roadblock: answering from reaction instead of reflection • Motivation vs. inspiration — and why they are not the same • The “Single Candle Problem” that causes your why to lose depth over time • How storytelling communicates emotional intelligence and clinical maturity • Why immersion in nurse anesthesia builds identity — and identity strengthens your why

This episode will challenge you to stop thinking only about getting accepted… and start thinking about who you’re becoming in this profession.

If you’re an aspiring CRNA refining your application, preparing for interviews, or simply trying to reconnect with the reason you started this journey — this episode is for you.

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

Explore additional CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor

Start your week off right with CRNA Mentor Monday.

This episode is part of our Advocacy Mini-Series leading up to Mid-Year Assembly - but this conversation is about something even more foundational than policy.

It’s about immersion.

In this episode, we explore why attending anesthesia conferences isn’t just something you add to your resume... it’s something that shapes your identity. When you immerse yourself in nurse anesthesia, something shifts. You begin understanding the language of anesthesia. You gain awareness of the forces shaping the profession. You build confidence. You develop perspective. And over time, you stop feeling like someone trying to get in and start thinking like someone who belongs.

That’s identity formation. And identity is what produces advocacy.

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Richard Wilson, the Assistant Program Director at Ursuline College’s Somnia Nurse Anesthesia Program, FAANA, AANA Social Media Ambassador, national speaker, educator, and clinician. Together, we demystify anesthesia conferences for RNs and APRNs.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Is this space really for me?” “What would I even do there?” “Would I feel out of place?”

This episode is for you.

We discuss:

• What it means to “catch the bug” • Why conferences move from optional to essential in your career • The different types of anesthesia conferences — from AANA national meetings to state associations and specialty workshops • How exposure to leadership changes your trajectory • What first-time attendees should expect (what to wear, how to introduce yourself, and common mistakes to avoid) • Why immersion fuels passion — and why you can’t fake passion in a CRNA school interview

If you’re serious about becoming a CRNA, this episode will challenge you to stop spectating and start stepping into the profession.

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

Explore CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor

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