Shadowing a CRNA Dos and Don'ts

Shadowing a CRNA is seriously one of the biggest moves you’ll make before applying to school. Like, non-negotiable if you want to know what you’re signing up for. The CRNA Club sees it all the time. Good shadowing? Sets you apart. Bad shadowing? Yikes.

Prepping for Your CRNA Shadow Day

You know that feeling the night before clinical? Staring at the ceiling, regretting your caffeine choices, wondering if you’ll say something dumb? Same energy before your first CRNA shadow day. It’s normal. But here’s the thing. don’t just treat it as another checkbox for your application. It’s your chance to figure out if anesthesia is really your thing. The last thing you want is to be two semesters deep (worst semester ever, honestly) and realize you made a huge mistake.

Get your outfit ready (scrubs, clean, not the ones with coffee stains). Eat something (even if it’s just cold pizza between importants). Bring a notebook. And seriously, breathe. We’ve got a whole podcast on this: Ep 13, “Dos and Don’ts for your CRNA Shadow Day.” Worth a listen on your commute.

Don’t Make It All About Money

Okay, so someone asks, “Why CRNA?” Please, for the love, don’t say “money.” We get it. The pay is good. But if that’s your only reason, trust us. you’ll be miserable by the time you make it to the break room at 3am. You need to dig deeper. Think autonomy, quick thinking, being the person in the room who keeps the patient alive. It’s not just about the paycheck. (We all know someone who got that wrong.)

Still feeling stuck? Hit up that Ep 13 podcast. We break it down with all the awkward stuff we wish someone told us.

Picking Your Moment to Ask Questions

Ever been that student who asks a question right as everyone’s losing their minds in a code? Don’t be that person. ORs are chaos sometimes. You gotta read the room. Wait for the patient to be asleep, the drapes to go up, and the CRNA’s catching up on charting (or scrolling TikTok, no judgment). That’s when you ask the good stuff.

Pro tip: jot down questions in your notebook so you don’t forget. Listen to Ep 51, “Questions to Ask During Your Shadow Day,” if you want help figuring out what (and when) to ask. It’s not rocket science, but it’s easy to mess up if you’re nervous.

Ask About Their Real Life as a CRNA

Want the real tea? Ask about the highs and lows. What’s their favorite thing? What’s awful? (Like, do they hate 24-hour call as much as we do?) Get them talking about the stuff you can’t Google. Because honestly, you need to know if this matches your vibe. Some people love the chaos. Some people want a 9–5. And if you’re curious about other ways to shadow (because, let’s be real, not everyone can get a classic OR day), Ep 76 has some creative options. We didn’t even know some of these counted until a couple years ago.

Be Positive About Your ICU Gig

Look, ICU is wild. And exhausting. But when you’re talking to a CRNA, don’t trash it. Complaining about bedside burnout makes you sound like you’re just trying to escape. Remember, anesthesia school is even tougher. And yeah, the CRNA you shadow might end up on your interview panel. Keep it upbeat. (Fake it if you have to. We’ve all done it.)

Ask About Their School, Not Just Their Job

You’re allowed to get nosy about CRNA programs. Ask them which school they went to, what rotations were like, if the faculty was supportive, or if they’d do it all again. Some will be brutally honest (and that’s what you want). Need more guidance? The CRNA Club’s Learning Library is gold. check out “Shadowing FAQs” and “ANESTHESIA-RELATED EXPERIENCES + GRE.” You can snag a free trial here. No need to figure it all out alone.

For more information, check these trusted resources: AANA.

Our Final Thoughts

Shadowing is not just about looking good for admissions. It’s about finding out if this life (the good and the ugly) fits you. The CRNA Club is here for all of it. Want more next steps? Check out How to Become a CRNA and CRNA School Requirements. And don’t forget your Free Application Checklist. We’ll help you every step. cold pizza, 3am doubts, all of it.