Grade 1 View – S2, E3 – Culturally Competent Care and the Importance of Representation

On This Episode:

Representation in nurse anesthesia is about access, excellence, and belonging. It’s the responsibility of every CRNA to help shape the future of the profession in a way that affords opportunity and access to anyone who wants to pursue that goal. In this episode, hosts Nicolas and Kelsey are joined by two influential leaders in nurse anesthesia advocacy, Lena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA, FAAN and Vincent Ford, DNAP, CRNA, to talk candidly about diversity, mentorship, and responsibility.

Dr. Gould and Dr. Ford share deeply personal journeys into nurse anesthesia, including late career pivots, life experiences outside of healthcare, and the mentors who shaped their paths. Our discussion tackles structural barriers in admissions and how representation improves patient care, education, and professional culture.

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

🎓 Why representation in textbooks, faculty, and leadership matters

🧠 Mentorship as the bridge between access and opportunity

🌍 Diversity of thought and experience drives better decisions at the institutional level.

🏫 Barriers in admissions and the push for holistic review

🌱 Paying it forward and shaping the next generation of CRNAs

“Representation isn’t about lowering standards—it’s about expanding excellence.”

Grade 1 View – S2, E16 – Opportunities for Future CRNAs at AANA Annual Congress

Aug 4, 2026

One of the biggest events in our profession is coming up in a few weeks, and the AANA Annual Congress in Boston will provide countless opportunities for RNs and future CRNAs.

Grade 1 View – S2, E15 – Surviving Clinicals: Lessons from Future CRNAs

Jul 21, 2026

Every nurse anesthesia student loses sleep over clinicals, wondering whether they’re prepared enough to keep up. The truth? Everyone struggles in the beginning, even the students who seem to have it…

Grade 1 View – S2, E14 – Beyond the Salary: Finding Your First CRNA Position

Jul 7, 2026

With demand at an all-time high and opportunities across the country, it’s easy to focus on salary alone, but the best career decisions involve much more than compensation.

Grade 1 View – S2, E13 – Navigating Malpractice Insurance: A Must for Future CRNAs

Jun 23, 2026

Today we’re tackling something that every single SRNA needs to understand before signing their very first employment contract, and that’s protecting our livelihood once we graduate.

Grade 1 View – S2, E12 – Building Community, Belonging, and Pride in Nurse Anesthesiology

Jun 9, 2026

June is Pride Month, and on this episode of Grade 1 View, Levi and Kelsey sit down with John Gianitsis, MSNA, CRNA and Carlota Izaguirre, DNP, CRNA and from the Nurse Anesthesiology Pride Foundation (…

Grade 1 View – S2, E11 – The Truth About Your First Year as a CRNA

May 26, 2026

In this episode of Grade 1 View, former host Kevin Chem, DNP, CRNA returns to the show nearly a year into practice to talk honestly about the transition from SRNA to CRNA.

Grade 1 View – S2, E3 – Culturally Competent Care and the Importance of Representation

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Grade 1 View / Previous Episodes

Grade 1 View – S2, E16 – Opportunities for Future CRNAs at AANA Annual Congress

Grade 1 View – S2, E15 – Surviving Clinicals: Lessons from Future CRNAs

Grade 1 View – S2, E14 – Beyond the Salary: Finding Your First CRNA Position

Grade 1 View – S2, E13 – Navigating Malpractice Insurance: A Must for Future CRNAs

Grade 1 View – S2, E12 – Building Community, Belonging, and Pride in Nurse Anesthesiology

Grade 1 View – S2, E11 – The Truth About Your First Year as a CRNA

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