For four days in November, 95 second-year nurse anesthesia residents, approximately 40 third-year residents, 20 anesthesia-related vendors and almost 50 CRNAs gathered together for the GPNA annual simulation symposium. Focused on teaching high-tech or low-occurrence simulations, this symposium’s goal is to further prepare students entering clinical residency in January.

Examples of returning simulations include difficult airway practice, double lumen tubes/bronchial blockers, fiberoptic skills, spinal/epidural placement, arterial lines and central vein access via ultrasound. One of the highlights of the symposium continues to be the Maverick peripheral anesthesia course with scanning of live models, and nerve blocks on prosected cadavers.

New to this year’s symposium were case studies on low-occurrence events such as malignant hyperthermia, pediatric bronchospasm and aspiration on induction. Actors dressed as surgeons, scrub techs, circulators, etc. added authenticity to the skill. Vendors provided introductions into job search subjects such as W2 vs 1099, types of care teams, and interview tips. Students commented on how valuable the experiences were in preparing them for clinical.