This ICU Nurse Is Turning Her CRNA Dream Into Reality

After starting her nursing career during the height of COVID-19, Lea Smith is now balancing pediatric critical care with full-time school to become a CRNA.

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, pediatric CVICU nurse Lea Smith shares how beginning her career during COVID-19 strengthened a longtime goal of becoming a CRNA. We also cover billions in estimated emergency care savings since the No Surprises Act took effect, a Colorado hospital's response after someone disrupted its oxygen supply, and the $10 billion pharmacies lose to expired medications. Plus, explore nursing jobs tailored to your location.

But first.... sometimes it gets awkward!

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Featured Jobs

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Certified Nursing Assistant Career Opportunity, The Quad Cities Rehabilitation Institute

Moline, IL

$16.30 - $25/hourly

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Family Nurse Practitioner, Fast Pace Health

Waynesboro, MS

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Travel NP - Dermatology

Rochester, NY

$100 - $115/hourly

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Nurse Spotlight: Lea Smith RN, BSN, CCRN, CCRN-P

From our spotlight archives: Lea Smith always dreamed of becoming a CRNA, but watching CRNAs step up to support ICU teams during the height of COVID-19 helped make that goal feel real. Now she's working in pediatric critical care while attending CRNA school full-time. Read the full spotlight →

Headlines in Healthcare

Out-of-network emergency spending drops under NSA

A new analysis by HaloMD reveals that total out-of-network emergency medical spending has decreased by 12% to 52% since the No Surprises Act took effect in 2022. This decline represents a savings of $1 billion to $4 billion on emergency care subject to the federal law, which was designed to protect patients from unexpected billing. The findings suggest that focusing solely on arbitration outcomes may overlook the broader cost-reduction impact of the legislation.

Co. hospital bolsters security following oxygen tampering

After an individual disrupted oxygen supplies at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, the facility is enhancing infrastructure protections to ensure continued patient safety. According to CPR News, staff successfully mitigated the threat on September 3 by activating emergency response plans and switching patients to backup supplies. The incident underscores the critical importance of secure medical infrastructure for frontline nursing care.

Pharmacies face $10B in expired drug losses

Outdated medications represent $10 billion in lost revenue for pharmacies, impacting operational efficiency and supply stability. According to a Health Affairs Forefront commentary, current federal law does not require manufacturers to accept these unsaleable drugs. Experts advocate for modernized return policies to help mitigate this significant financial waste.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

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