Someone hands you their life for a few hours and you only get one chance to be steady. That’s the reality for Wade Crowley, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) serving patients in Owensboro, Kentucky, and our conversation goes way beyond job titles into what it feels like to carry responsibility when people are scared.
We talk about what makes Owensboro feel like Owensboro: the small town connection, the familiar faces, and the community fabric that shows up in hospital hallways as much as it does at local events. Wade shares how growing up on a Hopkins County farm shaped his work ethic, why a middle school project helped set his career direction early, and what the CRNA path really looks like through nursing school, ICU experience, and high-pressure training.
Then we get honest about the emotional side of anesthesia and leadership. Wade explains how he “reads the room” with patients who fear not waking up, why calm is part of the care, and how faith can show up through respect, listening, and support without forcing a conversation. We also dig into the “duck on water” stress that many healthcare workers hide, the importance of strong support systems, and the everyday practices that help him protect his peace, including planting trees and getting outside.
If you care about patient-centered care, healthcare leadership, faith at work, or real stories from Owensboro, this one will stick with you. Subscribe, leave a review, share the episode with a friend, and tell us: what helps you stay grounded when pressure hits?
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It's been a great episode and I hope you share this with all your Owensboro friends! Thanks for the support and again, if you have questions or guests ideas, send a text!
