On This Episode:
What does nurse anesthesia practice look like in Finland?
That question is at the center of this episode of Beyond the Mask, recorded at the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists meeting in Australia. Sharon and guest co-host Kevin Chem sit down with Sari Pyhälä, a Finnish RN specialized in anesthesia and perioperative care, to learn more about how her profession differs from the model many U.S. CRNAs know.
Sari explains Finland’s education pathway, the role of on-the-job training, and how nurse anesthetists work within a physician-supervised model while still taking on significant responsibility for preparing, maintaining, and safely transitioning anesthesia care.
This episode is also a reminder that no matter where you practice, many of the same conversations keep coming up: professional respect, generational differences, workplace culture, and the future of the profession
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🌍 Nurse anesthesia looks different around the world.
🎓 Finland relies heavily on on-the-job anesthesia training.
🤝 Teamwork and mutual respect drive anesthesia care.
🗣️ Workplace challenges cross countries and generations.
❤️ Sari calls nurse anesthesia “a wonderful life.”
Important Links:
“I want to encourage younger colleagues to take this path because this has been a wonderful life.”
