Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you with the insights you need to understand the CAA profession.

In Part 4 I am answering the question, "How Much Money Do CAAs Really Make?" Understanding the financial aspects of being a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant is essential for those in the field or considering entering it.

In this episode I discuss:

• Current salary averages ranging from $190,000 to $300,000
• The historical evolution of CAA salaries since the 1970s
• The average student loan debt for CAAs
• Why salaries vary based on location and institution
• Insights from CAA job market expert and founder of BagMask.com Patrick Flaherty, CAA
• Mega Sign-on bonuses and how to navigate

Resources Mentioned:

• BagMask.com Sign-on Bonus article 1 & 2
• BagMask.com Highest Paying CAA Jobs (April, 28 2023)
• AnesthesiaOneSource.com Comparing AA School costs
• @CAALifestyle YouTube finance playlist
• @anesthesia_anonymous IG Financial Transparency
• AspiringCAA.com Historical Salary Trends (July 2024)

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

Reflecting on recent experiences, I share how taking an intentional break has rejuvenated my commitment to living life by my design. From unexpected snow days to exciting new projects like CAA Matters, this episode emphasizes the importance of balance and self-care in both personal and professional realms.

In this episode I talk about:
• Personal update on podcast winter break and family time
• The impact of taking intentional time off
• Navigating disruptions and embracing flexibility
• Introduction of the CAA Matters wellness curriculum
• Exploring my transition from podcasting to teaching
• Anticipation for my upcoming AAAA 2025 conference presentation

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

Get to know Chabely Rodriguez, a trailblazing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and social media influencer. As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, Chabely's story is one of resilience and triumph over adversity. Her story highlights not just the allure of financial stability, but also the profound impact of connecting with underrepresented groups who aspire to follow in her footsteps. From maintaining a healthy work-life balance to setting realistic expectations in content creation, Chabely continues to inspire our CAA community with her authentic sharing.

If you are experiencing DV, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or find more resources HERE

Resources Mentioned:

• Chabely's CNBC Millenial Money video
• Chabely's CNBC Millenial Money article
• Chabely's YouTube CAALifestyle
• CAALifestyle IG
• Chabely's 1st episode: 28-year-old Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant makes over $210K ft. Chabely Rodrigez
• AnesthesiaSal Youtube

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

Curious about what it truly means to be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)? You're in the right place! From nearly two decades of experience, I share a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the CAA profession. Think of me as your older sister or best friend, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials—from what CAAs actually do to how much money we make, no topic is off limits. Whether you're an aspiring AA student or simply exploring a career in medicine, this guide equips you with the insights you need to understand the CAA profession.

In Part 3 I break down some universally misunderstood concepts pertaining to CAA practice regulations such as licensure vs. delegatory authority, medical direction vs. medical supervision, and why CAA state licensure does not automatically guarantee state practice. This is a critical episode no matter where you are in your CAA journey, and one that helped me answer some long considered questions.

Resources Mentioned:

• S3 E46 Transatlantic Tales of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant ft. Mark Leonard, CAA
• S3 E36 [PROCESS] Lindsey Diaz, CAA on fear, anger and her right to practice in New Mexico
• S3 E35 [PROCESS] The Stars Align in Nevada ft. CAAs Stephanie Zunini, Jada Wabanimkee and Joey Parrish
• S4 E56 [PROCESS] Breaking Barriers in The Evergreen State ft. Sarah Brown, CAA
• States Can CAA's Work @anesthesiasal
• ASA statement on medical direction vs. supervision
• ASA statement on anesthesia care team
• AAAA statement on licensure vs. delegatory authority
• Michigan's delegatory authority statute

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

Originally aired December 2022.
I hope this fun 5ish episode leaves you feeling nourished, encouraged and connected to yourself and our community this holiday/4th quarter season. You (still) deserve to feel good behind the drape.

Additional Resources:

• Try out Lindywell at home Pilates for Free
• Meal subscription services I have used before include Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, Sunfresh, Home Chef

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

Join me for a 10-minute meditation, designed to fit into your busy day whether you're on a work break or commuting, learn how to embrace your natural source of resilience.

Meditation begins around 4:33

This isn't just about managing stress; it's about nurturing an inner resilience that's often overlooked. By allowing positive qualities to infiltrate our thoughts and emotions, we reinforce the strength within us, reminding ourselves that resilience is cultivated, not inherited. Take this time to pause and reset, and let this practice be your much-needed break.

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

Discover how Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) can revolutionize their careers with the growing number of locums opportunities. I sit down with Sabrina Strange from LocumTenens.com to break down exactly what "working locums" means for CAAs, and what you need to have in place before considering a locums position.

LocumTenens.com has recently updated their platform to make it more accessible than ever for CAAs eager to explore the locums market. For anyone considering a dynamic career path with unmatched flexibility, this episode is packed with valuable insights and encouragement to explore the burgeoning CAA locums market.

Interested in working locums? Receive 3 free resources to help you get started.

Check out CAA locums opportunities at LocumTenens.com

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist

This is an update to Stephanie Zunini's original PROCESS episode 35 released September 1st, 2023. We catch up with Stephanie more than a year later to discuss the arduous process required to actually practice in a new state after passing a CAA licensure bill. Stephanie's experience in Nevada highlights the emotional and physical toll of this long, slow legislative process. She shares the behind the scenes of why she made the incredibly hard decision to leave her thriving career in Denver to move to a less than perfect set-up in Nevada. With her eyes set on working in Reno, Stephanie's journey is a powerful reminder of the influence one person can have on an entire profession. My hope is that Stephanie's story inspires others to be change makers in their own states.

Listen to the original [PROCESS] episode HERE

Nevada bill AB 270 was signed into law on June 9th, 2023 thereby giving CAAs legal status to practice anesthesia in the state of Nevada. Learn more about the CAA legislative process by watching other CAA legislative testimonials and listen to episodes 35, 36, 56.

Find more information on the Nevada Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants HERE.
Follow NVAAA on IG and give them your congrats!
Stephanie Zunini @ info@nv-aaa.org

Inspired to make change? Donate to the AAAA legislative fund HERE and contact the AAAA Director of Government Affairs Brian Flynn via bflynn@anesthetist.org

You can now text me! Questions/Suggestions

I want to learn more about CAA Matters.
CAA Matters is the 1st comprehensive wellness curriculum for 1st year AA students. I designed CAA Matters to be flexible, relevant, and seamlessly integrated into an already packed first year schedule so you don't have to compromise.

CAA Matters is now enrolling for the '25/'26 Academic year.

Want more?

Stay in the know by subscribing to the Awakened Anesthetist Newsletter-
more resources, exclusive content and ways to connect.


Interested in practicing mindfulness with this CAA community?

• Receive your Free 30 min Webinar Introduction to Mindfulness for CAAs

Let's Chat! Contact me:
awakenedanesthetist@gmail.com
IG @awakenedanesthetist