Unlocking CRNA Shadowing: Non-Traditional Paths to CRNA Experience

Having a difficult time finding shadowing opportunities? Unlocking CRNA shadowing opportunities can be challenging, but non-traditional paths do exist to help you gain experience and insight into the profession. The CRNA Club suggests reaching out to state associations and CRNA programs as effective starting points. According to AANA, shadowing is important for applicants to understand the profession's demands. If you're just starting your journey, our guide on How to Become a CRNA breaks down every step you’ll need to take.

Why is Shadowing Essential for CRNA Applicants?

When I was in the early stages of forming my applications for CRNA school, I knew that shadowing would be a important piece of the package. Not only did I want to showcase to potential programs that I was serious about the profession, but I also wanted to make sure this was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! After all, anesthesia school is a huge commitment. 3+ years of your life, hundreds of thousands of dollars… okay okay I’m not here to talk about the demands of CRNA school (that’s for a different post wink) But what I am here to tell you is that gaining shadowing experience IS possible, even if you seemingly have no connections or leads. As I mentioned earlier, I chose not to shadow at the hospital I was working at due to fear of backlash. Another reason I decided against trying to shadow at my hospital was because they did not hire CRNAs. I knew that I wanted to at least start with shadowing a CRNA to give me that familiarity and insight to the exact path I wanted to take before I (if ever) reached out to MDAs. Learn more about the challenges of CRNA school—if you’re curious what schools are really looking for, we actually talked about this on the podcast (Ep 1: "What CRNA Schools are REALLY looking for in an applicant" on Apple Podcasts).

What Are Non-Traditional Methods to Secure CRNA Shadowing Experience?

1. Contact Your State Nurse Anesthesia Association
   A quick Google search for “Nurse Anesthesia Association” should do the trick. I scoured the webpage for information for students and prospective applicants and emailed them via the Contact Us page. They were able to provide me with some information on people and places I could reach out to for shadowing opportunities.
2. Reach Out to CRNA Programs
   There were 2 schools in my state that helped help with shadowing for prospective applicants. This is an excellent route, especially if one of the programs is in your top choices! If you want to compare schools and their requirements, our CRNA School Requirements page is a great resource.
3. Research Local CRNA Practices
   I literally took this to Google! These were far and few to come by given my geographical location, but I reached out to almost all of them. I even found emails on job board postings for CRNAs via Google jobs, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. I also looked on the coveted GasWork.com site to see if they listed any places that were currently hiring CRNAs, and then reached out to those organizations. THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is how I landed my (first) shadowing experience! Instead of cold-calling places, I cold-emailed them, and I still LOL whenever I say this term. Explore CRNA programs to find shadowing opportunities, and don’t forget, we covered things we wish we’d done before applying in Ep 2: "3 things I would have done differently BEFORE applying to CRNA school" on Apple Podcasts.

What Was My Personal Journey to Gaining CRNA Shadowing Experience?

While this list isn’t overly extensive (or exhaustive by any means), these were the steps I took to finally gain some shadowing experience. And I gained 2 additional shadowing days at another facility seeing different types of anesthesia, all from that first day. One of my letters of recommendation to the school I was later accepted to was even from one of the CRNAs I shadowed! If you want to compare programs side by side, our free School Database lets you see requirements at a glance. Use our school comparison tool to find the right CRNA program for you. If you’re curious about the different types of anesthesia and the history of the profession, our CRNA History + Types of Anesthesia lesson in the Learning Library at The CRNA Club is a great place to start.

How Can You Overcome Challenges in Finding CRNA Shadowing?

All this to say that shadowing can be difficult to obtain sometimes, but there are ways, albeit some non-traditional, that can help you on your path. The greatest takeaway from shadowing for me was that it provided GREAT experiences/talking points for my essays/personal statements and interviews. So, get out there, put yourself out there, and start shadowing! If you’re wondering about salary and career outlook, we did a whole episode on this—Ep 4: "CRNAs make HOW MUCH?!" on Apple Podcasts—and you can also check out the Salary lesson in our Learning Library at The CRNA Club. Discover why we love being CRNAs.

For more information, check these trusted resources: American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our Final Thoughts

Finding CRNA shadowing opportunities can feel overwhelming, especially if traditional routes don’t seem accessible. But with creativity and persistence, as well as resources like The CRNA Club, you can carve your own path toward gaining invaluable experience. If you want to learn more about the profession itself, our Profession Overview lesson at The CRNA Club offers a comprehensive introduction. Remember, shadowing not only strengthens your application but also confirms your passion for this rewarding career. Keep pushing forward. you’ve got this!