Candidate for Director, 2025 - 2027

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Elizabeth Wellspeak, MSN, CRNA

Fast Facts About Elizabeth

  • Lives in the Capital Educational District
  • Works at Albany Medical Center
  • 3.5 years as a CRNA in New York

 Elizabeth is currently a CRNA at Albany Medical Center where she is involved in both the general anesthesia and obstetric anesthesia teams. She completed her Masters in Science at Albany Medical College. She received her BSN from Buffalo University and her Associates in Nursing from Maria College. She is involved in NYSANA in many ways including working with the DEI team and PR committee. She has a son, Jack and a large family in the capital region that she loves dearly.

What are the biggest challenges facing the profession? 

The biggest challenges facing the profession are our inability to work at our full scope of practice and our state's refusal to treat us as APRNs. Also, there are a lot of barriers to getting important learning experiences during our training as SRNAs and to keeping our educational experiences up to date when we become CRNAS. As students and professionals we shouldn't have to fight to learn and grow in our profession. As long as we are not recognized in this state we will continue to face these barriers.

What experiences, ideas, connection or resources do you have that would allow you to help with those challenges?

I was what some may call a late bloomer. I became an RN when I was 30 and a CRNA when I was 38. This allowed me to work in many types of industries and to learn how to work with many different kinds of people as I found my way to this amazing profession. I continue to educate myself on the challenges we face and on who can help us get to where we need to be. I attend meetings and continue to meet new people that can assist in helping us reach our professional goals.

Name one skill or strength you possess that is unmatched by your colleagues or peers

I am not afraid to ask uncomfortable or difficult questions when necessary. I will always speak my mind in a professional manner, but also listen to the other side of a situation to work with others to push our profession in the right direction.

What do you love about being a CRNA? What drew you to the profession?

I love helping my patients feel comfortable and taking away their pain. It's so satisfying to know that I can help make someone's day better.

Please provide at least one idea you believe will engage or involve members to advance NYSANA’s mission.

I think we can engage members through creating fun networking opportunities. I have had some of the best conversations about our profession on the golf course, while throwing axes, or learning a new skill. People become more engaged when they are having fun and you create bonds in those moments that stay with you for a long time.