Resident Wellness

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Welcome to Resident Wellness: Supporting You on the Journey to Becoming a CRNA/Nurse Anesthesiologist

Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) is a rigorous and transformative journey. One that consistently demands your best mentally, emotionally, and physically. As a Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetist (RRNA), you’re not just learning new clinical skills; you’re navigating complex transitions, heightened expectations, and moments of uncertainty. At AANA, we recognize the unique challenges residents face and are committed to walking alongside you every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking peer support, expert guidance, or wellness resources tailored just for you, this page offers a centralized hub for tools to help you prioritize your well-being. Thriving as a resident means caring for yourself as fiercely as you care for others.

Residents – Prioritize Your Well-being with Your Peers!

Resident Roundtable

RRNAs often face unique stressors as they transition from experienced nurses to students acquiring the advanced skills required to become CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. Navigating this journey can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Resident Roundtable sessions offer a welcoming, judgment-free space for RRNAs to connect with peers who share similar challenges. Guided by representatives from the AANA Wellness Committee and the Indiana Professionals Recovery Program, each session explores themes related to mental and physical well-being. Participants can engage in open discussions, breakout groups, and access curated wellness resources. Held quarterly, these sessions aim to reduce isolation, foster community, and equip you with tools for thriving throughout your training.

2027 Resident Roundtable

We’re excited to introduce your 2027 Resident Roundtable hosts! These dedicated nurse anesthesia residents and AANA Wellness Committee representatives are looking forward to bringing you another year of meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and opportunities to connect with fellow residents.

  • Jaelen (Jae) Guerrant, RN – Third-year Nurse Anesthesia Resident at Old Dominion University.
  • Loraynne Wilmer, RN – Third-year Nurse Anesthesia Resident at Thomas Jefferson University.
  • Daniel Ostie, BSN – First-year Nurse Anesthesia Resident at Columbia University.

Mark Your Calendars: 2027 Resident Roundtable Sessions

Our hosts are busy planning another exciting year of Resident Roundtables! From navigating life’s challenges during training to tackling important wellness topics, these sessions offer a space to connect, share perspectives, and learn from one another.

  • January 18, 2027, 7 pm CT
    Life Doesn’t Have a Pause Button: Navigating School, Family & Everything in Between
    Register here.
  • March 29, 2027, 7 pm CT
    The Conversation We Avoid: Substance Use Disorder in Nurse Anesthesiology
    Register here.
  • May 17, 2027, 7 pm CT
    Topic Coming Soon.
    Register here.
  • July 12, 2027, 7 pm CT
    Topic Coming Soon.
    Register here.

Your Voice. Your Topics. Your Roundtable.

What would you like to talk about? Whether it’s navigating clinical challenges, managing stress, balancing school and personal life, or something entirely different, we want to hear from you!

Help shape future Resident Roundtables by sharing the topics that matter most to you. Our anonymous survey will remain open throughout the year, so you can submit new ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
Share Your Ideas: Resident Roundtable 2027

RRNA Wellness Resources

AANA Wellness

Wellness Podcasts

Resident and CRNA Run Podcasts:

  • Grade 1 View – The podcast FOR future CRNAs, BY future CRNAs.
    • Hosted by a team of first-, second-, and third-years, Grade 1 View explores a variety of issues relevant to aspiring CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, from work-life balance to exam prep and more!
  • Beyond the Mask: CRNA-run podcast discussing anesthesia topics.
  • Core Anesthesia: CRNA-run podcast discussing anesthesia topics.
  • Provider Wellness Podcast: CRNA-run podcast discussing health and wellness from the broad to the specific.
  • The Mindful SRNA/RRNA Podcast: CRNA-run podcast providing guidance, mentorship, and high-end coaching principles designed to empower you on your path to CRNA excellence.
  • CRNA School Prep Academy Podcast: Specific to RRNAs with a CRNA mentor as the host.
  • Anesthesia Guidebook: CRNA-specific topics to wellness.

Other Wellness Podcasts:

  • Radio Headspace: Join every weekday morning to pause and reflect.
  • TED Health: Smart daily habits to new medical breakthroughs every weekday.
  • Tiny Leaps, Big Changes: Personal development podcast focused on exploring the day-to-day behaviors that determine the results we gain in our lives.

Financial Wellness Resources

Time Management and Burnout Prevention Tools

Videos

Wellness Articles

AANA Journal

Other Articles

Wellness Contacts

Becky Frese
AANA Professional Practice Specialist

Staff Liaisons to the Wellness Committee

(847) 655-1138, wellness@aana.com.

Resident Roundtable Testimonials

The Resident Roundtable is a by RRNAs, for RRNAs open and judgment-free online peer-to-peer support sessions related to anything about the RRNA experience. Sessions are held throughout the year. Registration opens about a month before the event. For more information, contact wellness@aana.com.

“I attended my first Resident Roundtable session and found it both informative and reassuring. To hear RRNAs across the nation asking the same questions and expressing the same concerns I have, made me feel less alone. I really appreciate the AANA supporting the health & wellness of RRNAs. It means a lot that I am entering into a career that cares about my well-being as a human, not just my performance as an RRNA/CRNA.” – 1st-year RRNA

“Thank you for the Resident Roundtable last night via Zoom. It was very much needed for the journey I am on. I took away many gems to hold with me as I transition from LEAP to a full-fledged RRNA this year.”

“Thank you for your presentation! I start clinical tomorrow and am very nervous. A few things you said helped me put things into perspective though so thank you!“

“I really enjoyed the session. It’s good to hear about other students’ experiences and I was able to have a few books to listen to during ‘me time’. Thanks for all that you do.”

“I am in the first year of school (3rd quarter). I will start clinicals in the summer. I attended your Resident Roundtable session last night. I found it VERY helpful. Especially because it seems like the CRNA school experience will become less collective and more parallel to my peers as we enter clinicals. I try to take this experience one day at a time but any time I think about clinicals I get pretty anxious.“

#Residents #Wellness