Podcasts · Education · Science

Atomic Anesthesia

Rhea Temmermand, PhD, CRNA & Sachi Lord, MSN, CRNA

126 episodes

Welcome to Atomic Anesthesia, the essential podcast for nurse anesthesia residents seeking to master both basic and clinical science education (and RNs looking to become CRNAs, too!). Join us as we break down tough science concepts and demonstrating their practical clinical application in real-world scenarios.

More about the show

Each episode of Atomic Anesthesia is crafted to provide comprehensive explanations of complex scientific principles, tailored specifically for the needs of nurse anesthesia residents or nurses preparing for graduate school. Whether you're grappling with pharmacology, physiology, or any other challenging subject, our expert hosts are here to guide you through every step of the learning process.

But we don't stop there. Atomic Anesthesia goes beyond the classroom, inviting esteemed guests from both the scientific and CRNA communities to share their insights and experiences. From discussions on graduate school training to invaluable tips for navigating the complexities of clinical practice, our diverse range of topics ensures that every episode is packed with valuable knowledge and practical advice.

Whether you're commuting to clinicals, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home, Atomic Anesthesia is the perfect companion for learning on the go. Tune in and empower yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your journey towards becoming a proficient and confident nurse anesthethesiologist.

Episodes page 2 of 3

  1. CRASH, CODE OR CRUISE: IV ANESTHETIC CHOICES THAT CHANGE OUTCOMES [LIVE WEBINAR REPLAY] │ EP76

    · 1 h 22 min · Episode 76

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  2. DOES ANESTHESIA HARM THE BRAIN? A HARD LOOK AT THE DATA │ EP75

    · 22 min · Episode 75

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  3. PROPOFOL REPLACEMENT? CIPEPOFOL AND THE FUTURE OF HIGH-RISK CARDIAC INDUCTION │ EP74

    · 14 min · Episode 74

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  4. ANESTHESIA MACHINE CHECK: A STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH OF YOUR WORKSTATION │ EP73

    · 18 min · Episode 73

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  5. NEW YEAR, NEW PROVIDER: ANESTHESIA RESOLUTIONS FOR 2026 │ EP72

    · 25 min · Episode 72

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  6. KETAMINE UNLOCKED: MECHANISMS, DOSING & CLINICAL PEARLS │ EP71

    · 24 min · Episode 71

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  7. IF I WENT BACK TO CRNA SCHOOL, I'D STUDY LIKE THIS INSTEAD │ EP70

    · 27 min · Episode 70

    Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents…

  8. THE DEXMEDETOMIDINE PLAYBOOK: WHAT STRONG CRNAS NEED TO KNOW │ EP69

    · 19 min · Episode 69

    This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast focuses on dexmedetomidine (Precedex), a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist that provides cooperative, arousable sedation, analgesia, anxiolysis, and sympatholysis with…

  9. FROM TRAUMA BAYS TO BATTLEFIELDS: TRAINING PROVIDERS FOR AUSTERE ENVIRONMENTS │ EP68

    · 40 min · Episode 68

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand speaks with Michael Hoess, CRNA and Lead CRNA for Education at Cooper University Hospital, about the crucial role of CRNAs in austere and…

  10. YOU JUST GOT INTO CRNA SCHOOL...NOW WHAT? │ EP67

    · 25 min · Episode 67

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we’re talking to future nurse anesthetists who’ve just crushed the biggest milestone yet — getting accepted into CRNA school. Between acceptance and day one, there’s…

  11. WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN WORKING WITH CRNA PRECEPTORS │ EP66

    · 45 min · Episode 66

    This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast features guest Cori James, DNP, CRNA, for a candid and practical discussion on what not to do when working with CRNA preceptors. Designed for nurse anesthesia residents,…

  12. PROPOFOL SECRETS YOUR PRECEPTORS EXPECT YOU TO KNOW │ EP65

    · 45 min · Episode 65

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand provides a detailed pharmacology review of propofol, the main IV sedative hypnotic used for induction, maintenance, and procedural sedation in…

  13. ETOMIDATE + ADRENAL SUPPRESSION: IS IT CLINICALLY RELEVANT? │ EP64

    · 16 min · Episode 64

    This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast unpacks the real clinical risk of adrenal suppression after a single dose of etomidate, challenging common debates every anesthesia resident faces. Drawing on the latest…

  14. HOW TO CRUSH YOUR PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA ROTATION │ EP63

    · 16 min · Episode 63

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, pediatric CRNA and educator Dr. Becky Motykiewicz presents a comprehensive guide for nurse anesthesia residents preparing for their pediatric anesthesia rotation. From…

  15. THE EDUCATOR'S TRACK: HOW CRNAs STEP INTO TEACHING W/ DR. HALLIE EVANS │ EP62

    · 46 min · Episode 62

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we talk with Dr. Hallie D. Evans, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, a nationally recognized nurse anesthesia educator and clinician, about what it takes for CRNAs to step into the…

  16. BLOW, BOOZE & BENNIES: ACUTE INTOXICATION & ANESTHESIA | EP61

    · 19 min · Episode 61

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we tackle the complex reality of caring for patients under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a frequent challenge for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs. Covering…

  17. FROM NURSE PRACTITIONER TO CRNA W/ DR. DAVID WARREN │ EP60

    · 41 min · Episode 60

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, we connected with Dr. David Warren, DNP, CRNA, NP to discuss the unique journey of transitioning from nurse practitioner to nurse anesthesiologist. Dr. Warren shares…

  18. PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE & VASCULAR ANESTHESIA (PART 2) │ EP59

    · 29 min · Episode 59

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand is joined by vascular anesthesia expert Rick Heuermann, DNP, MBA, CRNA, to unravel the complex pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disease…

  19. PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE & VASCULAR ANESTHESIA (PART 1) │ EP58

    · 23 min · Episode 58

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, host Dr. Rhea Temmermand is joined by vascular anesthesia expert Rick Heuermann, DNP, MBA, CRNA, to unravel the complex pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disease…

  20. WHY ARE MY EXTUBATIONS SO SLOW? │ EP57

    · 16 min · Episode 57

    In this episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast, nurse anesthesia residents are guided through the pivotal moments of emergence and extubation—recognized as one of the riskiest steps in the operating room. Listeners…

  21. PHARMACOGENETICS: WHY DRUG RESPONSES DIFFER IN A POPULATION OF PEOPLE │ EP56

    · 42 min · Episode 56

    This is a joint episode recorded with Dr. Chloe Gomez of the My Favorite Learner podcast. This episode explores the foundational concepts of pharmacogenetics and its impact on drug responses during anesthesia,…

  22. MULTIMODAL, PREEMPTIVE AND NEXT-GEN ANALGESIA WITH JR PHILLIPS | EP55

    · 20 min · Episode 55

    This episode of the Atomic Anesthesia Podcast explores the emerging role of Suzetrigine, a novel non-opioid NaV1.8 channel inhibitor, in multimodal surgical pain management. Host Rhea and guest JR Phillips, a DNAP…

  23. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 10): BURN PATIENTS | EP 54

    · 29 min · Episode 54

    In the final installment of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series, we explore the unique physiology and management of burn patients, a population that differs significantly from blunt or penetrating trauma. This…

  24. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 9): MASS CASUALTY | EP 53

    · 16 min · Episode 53

    In part 9 of the Trauma Anesthesia Series, we dive into the critical topic of mass casualty events—what defines them, how hospitals respond when resources are overwhelmed, and the principles of patient triage that…

  25. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 8): PREGNANT, PEDIATRIC & GERIATRIC POPULATIONS | EP52

    · 15 min · Episode 52

    Welcome to part 8 of the Trauma & Burn Anesthesia Series. In this episode, we take a broad look at special populations in trauma anesthesia—pregnant, pediatric, and geriatric patients. Each of these groups presents…

  26. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 7): SPINAL CORD INJURY | EP51

    · 24 min · Episode 51

    This episode of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series explores the acute management of spinal cord injury, from mechanisms like motor vehicle accidents and falls to the growing impact on older adults. Key topics…

  27. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 6): TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY | EP50

    · 19 min · Episode 50

    In this episode of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series, we examine traumatic brain injury, the leading cause of trauma-related death in the U.S., affecting over a million people annually and leaving millions with…

  28. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 5): ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT | EP49

    · 25 min · Episode 49

    In this episode of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia Series, we take a deep dive into one of the most critical moments in trauma care: the induction and maintenance of anesthesia in hemodynamically unstable patients. We…

  29. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 4): AIRWAY MANAGEMENT & IV ACCESS | EP48

    · 41 min · Episode 48

    In part 4 of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia series, we turn to the critical steps of securing the airway, establishing reliable vascular access, and safely transitioning the patient from the trauma bay to the operating…

  30. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 3): BLOOD PRODUCTS, VASOPRESSORS & MASSIVE TRANSFUSION | EP47

    · 23 min · Episode 47

    In part 3 of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia series, we focus on blood product administration and fluid resuscitation, exploring how transfusions are tailored to support oxygen delivery, coagulation, and hemodynamic…

  31. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 2): UNDERSTANDING HEMORRHAGE & COAGULOPATHIES | EP46

    · 32 min · Episode 46

    In part 2 of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia series, we discuss hemorrhage management in trauma, covering the causes and treatment of trauma-induced coagulopathies and the significance of essential lab values such as…

  32. TRAUMA ANESTHESIA SERIES (PART 1): ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT & DAMAGE CONTROL SURGERY | EP45

    · 47 min · Episode 45

    In this first installment of the Trauma and Burn Anesthesia series, we dive into the critical foundations of caring for severely injured patients in the perioperative setting. Designed for nurse anesthesiologists and…

  33. TWO LIVES, ONE CRISIS: MATERNAL CARDIAC ARREST UNPACKED | EP 44

    · 16 min · Episode 44

    This episode delivers a high-impact overview of maternal cardiac arrest—a rare but profoundly challenging emergency that demands rapid intervention and seamless multidisciplinary teamwork. Listeners will learn about…

  34. "SNEAK PEEK" COMPETITION - ATOMIC PLATFORM UPDATE | EP43

    · 14 min · Episode 43

    You spoke, we listened. CRNA school is extremely demanding--tight schedules, limited resources, and tough academic and clinical challenges. Not to mention, self-doubt and burnout are all too real. You shouldn't have…

  35. COULD THIS NEW NON-OPIOID COMPLETELY REPLACE FENTANYL? | EP 42

    · 11 min · Episode 42

    Discover the future of pain management on this episode of Atomic Anesthesia as we explore a major breakthrough: the FDA approval of suzetrigine, a first-in-class, nonopioid pain medication. Guided by cutting-edge…

  36. PAIN PATHWAYS [WEBINAR REPLAY] | EP41

    · 1 h 13 min · Episode 41

    In this live webinar, we discuss pain pathways in extreme detail, which is a foundational topic for anyone in anesthesia or in the ICU. We explore the four stages of pain—transduction, transmission, modulation, and…

  37. ANESTHESIA TECHNICIANS AND EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION WITH KERRIE KLEIN | EP40

    · 41 min · Episode 40

    In this episode, with CRNA Kerrie Klein, we discuss the essential but often misunderstood role of certified anesthesia technicians and technologists. We break down the differences between uncertified techs, certified…

  38. EI/EQ AND LEADERSHIP WITH THERESA REED | EP39

    · 53 min · Episode 39

    In this episode, we discuss the crucial role emotional intelligence (EI) plays in the journey of becoming a CRNA. We explore what EI really means—understanding and managing your emotions and those of others—and why…

  39. PEDIATRIC EMERGENCIES WITH DR. MOTYKIEWICZ | EP38

    · 14 min · Episode 38

    In this episode, Pediatric CRNA Dr. Becky Motykiewicz dives into the most critical pediatric anesthesia complications you need to know—whether you're just starting out or already deep into practice. We break down…

  40. MAKING SMART FINANCIAL DECISIONS AFTER CRNA SCHOOL | EP37

    · 27 min · Episode 37

    In this episode, Professor T discusses something at the top of everyone's minds when going to CRNA school - how am I going to pay for this?! We break down the smart, intentional decisions that made this possible—from…

  41. TIPS FOR YOUR CARDIAC ANESTHESIA ROTATION [WEBINAR REPLAY] | EP36

    · 1 h 13 min · Episode 36

    This episode is a replay of a live webinar by cardiac CRNA, Alex Gorman, who gives an excellent presentation on Cardiac Anesthesia. He explores the essentials for managing complex heart cases in the OR. We walk through…

  42. SUGAMMADEX PHARMACOLOGY | EP35

    · 20 min · Episode 35

    In this episode, we dive into the game-changing drug sugammadex—a powerful agent that rapidly reverses neuromuscular blockade caused by rocuronium and vecuronium. We explore its unique mechanism of action,…

  43. RAPID FIRE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS W/ JEREMY HEINER | EP34

    · 49 min · Episode 34

    In this episode featuring Jeremy Heiner (Editor of the Nurse Anesthesia textbook), we dive into rapid-fire differential diagnosis and crisis management, tackling some of the most intense and high-stakes scenarios nurse…

  44. INTRO TO ANESTHESIA PHARMACOLOGY [WEBINAR REPLAY] | EP33

    · 1 h 16 min · Episode 33

    In this episode, we dive deep into the basics of anesthesia pharmacology—perfect for ICU nurses starting CRNA school or senior residents needing a solid refresher. We break down foundational topics like…

  45. COGNITIVE AIDS + CRISIS CHECKLIST IN ANESTHESIA w/ JEREMY HEINER │ EP32

    · 50 min · Episode 32

    In this episode, Rhea Temmermand and Jeremy Heiner (editor of the Nagelhout Nurse Anesthesia textbook) dive deep into the under-discussed but vital topic of cognitive aids and crisis checklists in anesthesia. You'll…

  46. RESIDENT'S CORNER: FALLING BEHIND IN DIDACTICS AND HOW TO CATCH UP │ EP31

    · 38 min · Episode 31

    In this episode of "Resident's Corner," we discuss the universal challenge of falling behind in didactics, particularly in demanding programs like CRNA school. Our anonymous resident shares her personal insights on…

  47. PART 2: TIPS FOR SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN CLINICALS (LIVE WEBINAR REPLAY) │ EP30

    · 31 min · Episode 30

    PART 2/2: In this must-listen episode, Professor Temmermand shares strategies for thriving during clinical rotations. Transitioning from didactics to clinicals can be challenging, so in this live webinar replay, we…

  48. PART 1: TIPS FOR SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN CLINICALS (LIVE WEBINAR REPLAY)│ EP29

    · 48 min · Episode 29

    PART 1/2: In this must-listen episode, Professor Temmermand shares strategies for thriving during clinical rotations. Transitioning from didactics to clinicals can be challenging, so in this live webinar replay, we…

  49. PREPARING FOR THE SEE/NCE EXAM: OVERVIEW & STUDY PLANS │ EP28

    · 34 min · Episode 28

    This episode details a comprehensive study plan designed to help nurse anesthesia residents prepare for the Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) and the National Certification Examination (NCE) for CRNAs. We discuss a…

  50. PEDIATRIC A&P - HINT: THEY'RE NOT TINY ADULTS! │ EP27

    · 9:14 · Episode 27

    In this mini-episode, Dr. Becky Motykiewicz, a pediatric CRNA specializing in cardiac anesthesia, unpacks the fascinating anatomical and physiological differences between pediatric and adult patients that make…

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