As more and more CRNAs are trying to find their place in the political setting, Jennifer Banek, CRNA found her own path to serving. In 2020, Banek was elected Coroner in Lake County, Illinois, and she’s currently holding that position alongside her job as a nurse anesthetist. She joins the show today to share her unique story and pull back the curtain on the campaign and election process for those aspiring to run for office in the future.

About our guest: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/450/Coroners-Office

Read more: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 

Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Today's Key Topics: 

2:27 – Welcome in Jennifer

3:28 – What we’re talking about today

4:45 – Her path to politics

10:26 – Getting signatures

13:35 – The campaigning process  

20:25 – How many states did she fundraise from

22:04 – Election and challenges

24:00 – Husband deployed during the election

25:14 – What does Coroner’s Office do?

28:30 – How nurse anesthetist training benefits this position

30:51 – Balancing Coroner and CRNA roles

32:03 – How running for office changed her perspective

35:59 – Her future in politics

37:20 – Final thoughts