17: This Is How Future CRNA Leaders Are Built - Advocacy, Mentorship & Early Involvement

This episode of the CRNA Mentor Podcast is focused on one of the most overlooked aspects of professional growth in nurse anesthesia: getting involved early. In this conversation, I sit down with Jake Bonnema, CRNA - Chair of the AANA Political Action Committee and board member for the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - to discuss how mentorship, advocacy, and organizational involvement completely changed the trajectory of his career while he was still a nurse anesthesia resident. We explore why so many nurse anesthesia residents and new CRNAs mistakenly believe they are “too new” to contribute, the mindset shift that occurs when transitioning from RN to CRNA, and why advocacy is essential to protecting and advancing the future of our profession. Jake also shares how early mentorship opportunities at Mid-Year Assembly led him into leadership roles at both the state and national level only a few years after graduation. This episode is ultimately about identity, leadership, and realizing that you do not need decades of experience before you begin making an impact in nurse anesthesia. Topics Discussed: • Getting involved early as a SRNA and new CRNA • The importance of mentorship in nurse anesthesia • Advocacy and political involvement as a CRNA • Why younger voices matter in nurse anesthesia • Leadership development within the CRNA profession Join the CRNA Mentor Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crnamentorcommunity   Check out my CRNA Mentor resources: https://stan.store/CRNAmentor   Tune in to CRNA Mentor Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crna-mentor/id1871988091 New episodes drop every Monday — start your week off right with CRNA Mentor Monday!