What does the future of the AANA and the CRNA profession look like?

Recorded live at the 2026 AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Sharon and Jeremy sit down with AANA CEO Bill Bruce to discuss an organization and profession experiencing significant growth. With more than 4,700 attendees at the Congress, Bruce outlines the AANA’s newly adopted strategic plan and the three pillars designed to guide its next chapter: develop and own the evidence, define the standards of excellence, and dominate policy.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🎯 AANA has a new strategic direction.

📊 AANA wants to strengthen the research and data needed to demonstrate safety, evaluate care models, support CRNA practice, and make stronger advocacy arguments.

🏛️ Policy remains a major priority.

📱 AANA is investing in new digital resources.

📈 There are strong signs of growth across the CRNA profession.

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1

What is the AANA Annual Congress actually like for student and resident attendees? The Grade 1 View team takes listeners inside the 2026 meeting in Boston to discuss the sessions, speakers, networking, student events, and unexpected moments that stood out most. Levi, Kelsey, Mackenzie, and Nicolas wrap up a weekend of recording episodes from the Broadcast Booth with this episode that reflects on their experiences, with a pop in from two surprise guests.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎓 Student Perspective: Congress offers real-world professional exposure

🤝 Build Connections: Networking can create lifelong relationships

💪 Find Resilience: Community helps students reset and recharge

🌎 See the Profession: Nurse anesthesia extends far beyond clinicals

🚀 Get Involved: Leadership and advocacy opportunities start early

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Deep sedation often leaves anesthesia providers working in the space between simple oxygen delivery and a fully advanced airway. That gap can mean poor capnography, inefficient oxygen delivery, frequent airway maneuvers, and plenty of improvised solutions.

In this episode, the show’s first anesthesiologist, Dr. Rene Gonzalez, joins Sharon and Jeremy to discuss the Aeris Airway, the study behind it, and how purpose-built airway tools could help providers take a more proactive approach to patient support.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🫁 Close the Gap: Deep sedation often requires more support than standard oxygen devices can provide

📊 Improve Monitoring: Better positioning of the capnography sampling port may produce more useful CO2 data

💨 Deliver Oxygen Smarter: Device design can affect laminar versus turbulent oxygen flow

⚠️ Reduce Workarounds: Modifying equipment can add workload, inconsistency, and potential liability

🤝 Work as a Team: CRNAs and anesthesiologists can improve care by sharing knowledge and adopting better tools together

Steps to request your free AERIS Airway sample:

1. Visit https://airwayinnovations.com/ 2. In the upper-right-hand corner of the homepage, click “Request a Free Sample” and complete the sample request form 3. An AERIS Airway sample kit will ship within one business day

Download the Aeris Airway brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nxqSBMlbNhsdgiw6ylFXrr6VvSimD9Km/view?usp=drivesdk

Read Dr. Rene Gonzalez’s study: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AERIS-Airway-AA-Practice.pdf

Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/

Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1