The CRNA Compass Monthly Series
Free Webinar Series Hosted by Discovery Anesthesia
From Fear to Flow
Bridging the Gap Between Anesthesia Anxiety and Clinical Efficiency
Presented by Jen Overton, MSN, CRNA
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM MST / 6:00 PM CST / 7:00 PM EST
Cost: FREE
Format: Live with Q&A
We’ve all been there. You walk into the pre-op bay, introduce yourself, and within sixty seconds, you can tell — this patient isn’t just nervous about their surgery. They’re terrified of you.
It’s more common than most people realize. Research shows that anywhere from 60 to 90 percent of surgical patients experience some level of anesthesia anxiety, and up to one in four will actually delay a needed procedure because of it. And when anxious patients do make it to the OR, it shows up in your case — higher anesthetic requirements, more post-op pain medication, longer recovery times, and lower satisfaction scores across the board.
For most of us, the answer has been the same for decades: give them some Versed and move on. But what if there’s a better way — one that starts long before they ever reach the holding area?
That’s exactly what this session is about.
WHAT WE WILL COVER
Why anesthesia anxiety is so common — and so misunderstood. We’ll look at where patient fear actually comes from: misinformation, oversharing, loss of control, uncertainty, and past experiences. Understanding the root helps us address it more effectively.
What it actually does to your patient — and your case. Perioperative anxiety isn’t just a feelings issue. It activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggers the HPA axis, drives inflammatory responses, and has measurable effects on induction, emergence, recovery time, and postoperative outcomes. We’ll connect the physiology to what you’re already seeing clinically.
Why addressing anxiety before the day of surgery matters. The research is detailed: interventions that happen before the patient walks through the door are more effective than anything we do in the holding area. We’ll look at what the literature says and why the timing window matters so much.
How to actually make it happen in your practice. We’ll walk through practical ways to integrate patient education tools — including WorryFreeAnesthesia.com — into pre-op workflows through surgical offices, pediatrician offices, ChildLife specialists, and beyond. For adult patients and pediatric patients alike.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This session is a great fit for practicing CRNAs and anesthesiologists, pre-op coordinators, surgical office staff, and anyone involved in patient preparation before surgery. If you work with pediatric patients, there’s specific content for you — childhood perioperative anxiety can have lasting behavioral effects well beyond the recovery room, and we’ll talk about what the evidence says and what you can do about it.
Whether you’re in a busy hospital system or a small private practice, you’ll leave with something you can actually use.
Meet Your Presenter
Jen Overton, MSN, CRNA
Founder, WorryFreeAnesthesia.com
Jen Overton has been a CRNA for nearly 20 years, and she’s practiced in just about every setting you can imagine — large urban hospitals under medical direction, solo locum work in private offices, and everywhere in between. That range of experience gives her a grounded, practical perspective that goes well beyond any single practice environment.
She’s also been deeply invested in the profession outside the OR. Jen served in multiple leadership roles with the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists and was elected president in 2014.
A few years ago, Jen started noticing something that bothered her: patients were arriving more afraid of the anesthesia than the surgery itself. So she created WorryFreeAnesthesia.com — a website that gives patients clear, honest, and reassuring information directly from a real anesthesia provider. Through her articles, she helps people understand what to expect, answers the questions they’re too embarrassed to ask, and sends them into surgery feeling like they actually know what’s happening to them.
She built it for patients. But it turns out it makes things a little easier for providers too.
Why Discovery Anesthesia Hosts This Series
As a CRNA-owned education company, we understand that your career success depends on more than clinical skills. Financial literacy, contract savvy, and work-life balance all matter.
Our CRNA Compass Monthly Series reflects our commitment to supporting your whole life—not just your CE requirements. Each month, we bring in expert presenters to address the real challenges CRNAs face beyond the OR.
Stay tuned for our monthly topics!
DISCLAIMER
This webinar is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult your own advisor regarding your specific situation. Barnhart Wealth Management DBA On Point CRNA is an investment adviser registered in Michigan and other jurisdictions where exempt from registration.
hello@discoveryanesthesia.com | 313.474.1285
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CRNA Seminars for Anesthesia Professionals
hello@discoveryanesthesia.com | 313.474.1285
© 2026 Discovery Anesthesia. All Rights Reserved.
Brand + Site Design by Visual Caffeine