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As more CRNAs continue practicing well into their 60s and 70s, it raises a critical and complex question: how do we balance respect for experience with the need to protect patient safety? As healthcare evolves, so does the understanding of how aging affects performance in high stakes environments like the operating room. Today we’re going to have an open and honest conversation with longtime educator and CRNA Judy Thompson about cognitive health testing protocols and the path forward for those at the peak of their careers.
With over 35 years of leadership in nurse anesthesia education, Judy brings both professional insight and personal experience to the discussion. We’ll tackle everything from mandatory retirement age debates, discrimination concerns, and the value (and pitfalls) of cognitive testing, to what healthcare systems—and CRNAs themselves—can do to navigate this sensitive issue fairly.
Hopefully you find this episode is not only informative but also thought-provoking, as it challenges the norms and encourages a dialogue about the future of anesthesia.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧠 Cognitive testing in late-career CRNAs: fairness or discrimination?
🏥 Patient safety vs. provider autonomy—how do we find the balance?
📉 Aging impacts everyone differently; there’s no one-size-fits-all solution
🛠️ Simulation and early baselines could be part of a better approach
👩⚕️ Aging CRNAs bring wisdom—but also face scrutiny and bias
Catch Sharon Live at the 53rd Annual Refresher Course for Nurse Anesthetists!
Join Sharon this November 14–16, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Walt Disney World Village, Florida, for the Frank Moya Continuing Education Program’s annual conference. She’ll be delivering four insightful talks as part of the guest faculty lineup.
Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and recharge—with some Disney magic on the side!
Click here for more details and to register
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"Many older people have a wealth of experience on their side as opposed to somebody younger."
- Judy Thompson, CRNA
