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CRNA APPLICATION STRATEGY

How to Shadow a CRNA Before Applying to CRNA School

How to Shadow a CRNA Before Applying to CRNA School

Shadowing a CRNA helps you understand the role, ask better interview questions, and show admissions committees that you know what the profession actually looks like beyond bedside ICU nursing.

Shadowing a CRNA helps you understand the role, ask better interview questions, and show admissions committees that you know what the profession actually looks like beyond bedside ICU nursing.

Short answer

To shadow a CRNA, start by asking your ICU leadership, anesthesia department, hospital education office, or local CRNA school contacts. Keep the request professional, explain that you are an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school, and ask about the hospital’s shadowing, HIPAA, and onboarding requirements before showing up.

To shadow a CRNA, start by asking your ICU leadership, anesthesia department, hospital education office, or local CRNA school contacts. Keep the request professional, explain that you are an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school, and ask about the hospital’s shadowing, HIPAA, and onboarding requirements before showing up.

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The fastest way to find a CRNA to shadow

1. Start inside your hospital

Ask your ICU manager, charge nurses, anesthesia techs, educators, or intensivists whether the anesthesia department allows nurse shadowing. Internal requests are often easier because you already work in the system.

2. Ask for the official process

Do not just ask a CRNA if you can follow them. Hospitals may require approval, confidentiality paperwork, immunization records, badge access, or student-observer clearance before you enter the OR.

3. Keep your request specific

Say who you are, where you work, that you are preparing for CRNA school, and that you are looking for one shift or several hours of observation. A narrow request is easier to approve than a vague open-ended ask.

4. Document what you learned

After shadowing, write down the date, approximate hours, setting, cases observed, and what you learned about anesthesia practice. This gives you specific material for applications and interviews.

What to say when you ask to shadow a CRNA

What to say when you ask to shadow a CRNA

The best shadowing request is short, professional, and easy to forward to the right person. You do not need to oversell yourself — you need to make the request clear.

Sample message

Hello, my name is [Name], and I’m an ICU nurse at [Unit/Hospital]. I’m preparing to apply to CRNA school and would like to learn more about the CRNA role through an approved shadowing experience. If your department allows nurse shadowing, could you point me toward the correct process or person to contact? I’m happy to complete any required paperwork, confidentiality training, or observer clearance. Thank you for your time.

Hello, my name is [Name], and I’m an ICU nurse at [Unit/Hospital]. I’m preparing to apply to CRNA school and would like to learn more about the CRNA role through an approved shadowing experience. If your department allows nurse shadowing, could you point me toward the correct process or person to contact? I’m happy to complete any required paperwork, confidentiality training, or observer clearance. Thank you for your time.

How to prepare for your CRNA shadowing day

Before you go

Confirm arrival time, dress code, parking, badge process, and whether you may bring a small notebook. Ask whether meals, breaks, or phone use are restricted in the perioperative area.

During the shift

Observe induction, emergence, airway planning, patient assessment, medication choices, communication, and how the CRNA manages changing physiology in real time.

After you leave

Write down what surprised you, what confirmed your interest, and what questions you still have. Send a thank-you message within 24 hours if you were given direct contact information.

Where ICU nurses can find a CRNA to shadow

There does not appear to be one dominant national website that matches ICU nurses with CRNAs to shadow. The process is still fragmented, so the best approach is to combine local hospital contacts, state CRNA associations, and formal hospital shadowing programs.

State CRNA associations

Ohio, Georgia, Washington, Arizona, and Indiana have all published some form of shadowing help, contact pathway, request form, or host roster. Search your state association first, then contact them directly if no shadowing page is obvious.

Hospital and academic anesthesia departments

University of Maryland, UVA, UNC, and Johns Hopkins have published CRNA shadowing pathways or one-day observer programs. Local academic medical centers are often better leads than broad internet searches.

Recommended search order

Ask your own anesthesia department first, then search your state association, then search local academic medical centers, then contact the state association directly, then use your professional network, and only then cold-email departments.

Questions to ask while shadowing a CRNA

Questions about what you are seeing

What are you most concerned about with this patient? Why did you choose this airway? What are you watching most closely right now? What would make you change the anesthetic plan? What complications are you preparing for even though they are unlikely?

Questions about becoming a CRNA

What surprised you most when you became a CRNA? What ICU skills translated best? What do you wish you had learned before school? What separates ICU nurses who do well in anesthesia school from those who struggle? What would you want me to improve before I apply?

What to pay attention to: the quiet moments

Most people focus on intubation. Watch what the CRNA does when nothing obvious is happening: pre-op assessment, positioning, drug preparation, backup plans, monitor scanning, small ventilator changes, blood pressure trends, and how early they anticipate the next problem.

How to document CRNA shadowing hours

Keep a simple shadow log with the date, facility, CRNA name, number of hours, types of cases observed, anesthesia types observed, and one or two reflections about what you learned. If possible, ask the CRNA or department contact to sign or confirm the experience. Requirements vary: some programs only recommend shadowing, while others specify documented hours, so always check the schools on your list.

Shadowing is one piece of your CRNA application.

Your GPA, ICU acuity, certifications, leadership, and school list still matter. Use CRNAPathway to see where your profile is strong and what to fix before applying.

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CRNA shadowing FAQ

Do I need CRNA shadowing hours before applying?

Some CRNA programs require documented shadowing, some strongly recommend it, and others ask about it during interviews. Even when it is not required, shadowing helps you explain why you understand the profession and why you want anesthesia specifically.

How many CRNA shadowing hours do I need?

There is no universal number. A single full shift can be enough for programs that only recommend shadowing, while some schools publish specific documented-hour requirements. Check each program’s admissions page before assuming eight hours is enough.

Can I shadow a CRNA at my own hospital?

Often, yes — and that is usually the best place to start. But you still need to follow the hospital’s observer policy. Being an employee does not automatically mean you can enter the OR as a shadow observer without approval.

What should I study before shadowing?

Spend 60–90 minutes reviewing the basic anesthesia workflow, common medications, airway equipment, and monitors. Do not try to impress the CRNA with trivia. Your goal is to understand the role and ask thoughtful questions.

Is there a national CRNA shadowing directory?

Not a dominant one. The current process is fragmented across state associations, local hospitals, academic anesthesia departments, and personal networks. That is why a state-by-state CRNA shadowing directory would be useful for applicants.

Find a CRNA to shadow near you

Search verified CRNA shadowing programs and volunteer contacts by location.

Are you a CRNA open to helping future applicants?

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10 official resources
Official resource

UVA Health CRNA Shadowing

Charlottesville, Virginia

Dedicated CRNA shadowing opportunity for licensed RNs preparing to apply to CRNA or DNAP programs.

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Official resource

Johns Hopkins CRNA Shadow Program

Baltimore, Maryland

One-day CRNA shadowing for prospective CRNA applicants. Current Johns Hopkins ICU RNs only, with at least one year of ICU experience.

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Official resource

MD Anderson CRNA/CAA Observer Program

Houston, Texas

Dedicated anesthesia observer program for people considering CRNA or CAA careers, including OR and perioperative observation.

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Official resource

Southern Illinois Healthcare CRNA Job Shadowing

Southern Illinois, Illinois

Formal job-shadow program that explicitly lists CRNA as an available profession, typically offering one to seven days of observation.

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Official resource

UPMC Advanced Practice Provider Shadow Program

Multiple locations, Pennsylvania

Formal shadowing program that includes nurse anesthetists. Typical participation is one to three days, up to eight hours per day, with a listed fee.

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Official resource

Anesthesia Associates of Gainesville

Gainesville, Georgia

Private-practice pre-professional anesthesia shadowing with CRNAs, AAs, or anesthesiologists. Up to two days; CRNA placement is not guaranteed.

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Official resource

U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP)

Multiple locations, National

National anesthesia organization whose contact system accepts inquiries about shadowing or internships; local availability varies.

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Official resource

NKC Health Anesthesiology

North Kansas City, Missouri

Formal anesthesia shadowing for NKC Health nurses pursuing CRNA education or applicants referred by an NKC CRNA or anesthesiologist.

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Official resource

Sanford Health Clinician Job Shadow

Multiple locations, National

Clinician job-shadow program that explicitly includes CRNAs. Applicants must identify a CRNA host and obtain written approval first.

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Official resource

Grady Memorial Hospital Medical Education Observership

Atlanta, Georgia

Clinical observership that includes CRNAs among advanced practice providers who may be shadowed. A CRNA or APP sponsor is required before applying.

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Can’t find an opportunity near you?

Can’t find an official program or volunteer contact that fits? Request a connection and we’ll help you identify the best next step.

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