Hi! has anyone out there shadowed a CRNA? how did it go? Did you get to talk to them while at work? What questions did you ask them? I'm wondering what kind of proof do universities ask for that you have indeed observed a CRNA. Does anyone have any input on this? Thanks.

I wasn't asked for documentation, but I was asked to relate my experiences including names of people I shadowed. Because the "the anesthesia community is small" they could easily discern my truthfulness without having to actually check and there's nothing to stop them from making an informal call

That said, it is in your absolute best interest to shadow as much as you can prior to applying. Anesthesia is not for everyone and there are plenty of downsides to the work. Extensive shadowing is the best way to help decide if it's really what you want to do. You definitely don't want to find yourself investing time and money getting into a program and then quitting a job only to discover during the program that you don't like anesthesia. It happens and then people feel like they've got too much invested to back out.

Not me, but between 20-30% of my class say they wouldn't do it again if they knew more about what they were getting into. Who knows, maybe they'll feel different once they graduate and start working, but as of now, they absolutely regret this huge undertaking.

gwapo,

Luckily enough one of my ICU preceptors husband is a CRNA at the hospital I used to work in the ICU at, so he was more then welcoming to have me shadow him. I wrote him a little resume letter, showing my credentials, experience and professional motivations in becoming a CRNA and that the programs I was applying to strongly recommended shadowing a CRNA before sending off my application materials, and he gladly let me follow him around all over the hospital for a week. I had a chance to see a lot of what he does. Spent a lot of time in the OR which was cool because one of my friends from the fire department is the head surgical tech in the OR and has a great relationship with the surgeons and let me in on a lot of cool cases and in a very stress free and welcoming environment. I had a little talk with the anesthesiologist before it all started for their approval and they of course told me I was a young enough and bright enough that I should just go to the MDA route, they knew my mother who is an administrator at the same hospital so they told her to bother me about it too. But I know my case was a little out of the ordinary since I knew a great deal of people who helped make the shadowing experience more informal and less stressful, but I'd like to think that if you approach one of the anesthetist at your hospital in a professional and formal manner telling them a little about yourself they should be willing to expose you to their work... as long as the anesthesiologist don't have a problem with it. The CRNA I shadowed was nice enough to write me letters of recommendation so I guess he made mention of it in his letter which was verification enough I guess, but they might very well call your references for supportive proof if they feel it needed, so you never know.

Hope that story and advice helps.

I contacted a CRNA that I knew and was able to shadow for 1 day in the OR. It was a great experience, I was able to observe 2 OR cases- 1st case used spinal anesthesia & 2nd case used general anesthesia, both were done by the CRNA. I mostly observed and just asked whatever questions came to mind. The CRNA didn't ask me questions or expected me to know what she was doing, so it's not like you have to prepare or read beforehand. With both cases I was able to see start to finish- from the pre-op assessment all the way to giving report in the PACU. I only shadowed for 1 day because I felt that my experience gave me a good general idea of what I needed to know about CRNAs.

Most CRNA programs/schools don't require a shadow experience to apply, but they highly recommend it. The schools I applied to asked me during my interview if I shadowed a CRNA and if I know what they do, so it was a good thing that I was able to talk about my brief shadow experience. It will also make you stand out as a candidate that you made the effort observe and see how CRNAs practice. So try you best to contact a CRNA or even MD anesthesiologist to shadow with at the hospital you work at, I'm sure you'll have a great learning experience as well. Good luck!

I was asked about my shadow experience at every single interview I went to. I highly recommend shadowing a CRNA (instead of an MD). I was asked about specific types of cases I had seen. Thankfully one of the CRNAs I shadowed was really excited I was applying to the school he graduated from, and he offered to write me a recommendation letter on the spot. I also recommend having a recommendation letter from a CRNA.

That being said, I had a difficult time getting into the OR to shadow. I found a lot of dead end paths. I met a CRNA who said she'd let me shadow (I asked her during a bedside report in the ICU) and she never responded to my email. One of the nursing educators tried to get me in touch with someone (oddly the same woman as before) and that was a dead end. I talked with my manager who said he'd get me in contact with the OR manager, and that never happened.

So, I called up a friend who was friends with an anesthesia resident. He emailed a director for me and he actually wrote me back and invited me in. He was really really friendly and spent two days bouncing me around in several ORs so I could see a variety of methods/airways/cases. I felt I was missing a really big open heart case, so after another dead-end, I finally just asked the surgeon if I could watch a case. I showed up early in the OR that morning, and after a lot of confusion, someone finally agreed to let me in. I was with an anesthesia resident and attending, but at least was able to see a large open heart case. It was a very awesome experience and did prepare me for that question in the interview.

But, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. It took me probably 4 months to get it all done.

gwapo,

Luckily enough one of my ICU preceptors husband is a CRNA at the hospital I used to work in the ICU at, so he was more then welcoming to have me shadow him. I wrote him a little resume letter, showing my credentials, experience and professional motivations in becoming a CRNA and that the programs I was applying to strongly recommended shadowing a CRNA before sending off my application materials, and he gladly let me follow him around all over the hospital for a week. I had a chance to see a lot of what he does. Spent a lot of time in the OR which was cool because one of my friends from the fire department is the head surgical tech in the OR and has a great relationship with the surgeons and let me in on a lot of cool cases and in a very stress free and welcoming environment. I had a little talk with the anesthesiologist before it all started for their approval and they of course told me I was a young enough and bright enough that I should just go to the MDA route, they knew my mother who is an administrator at the same hospital so they told her to bother me about it too. But I know my case was a little out of the ordinary since I knew a great deal of people who helped make the shadowing experience more informal and less stressful, but I'd like to think that if you approach one of the anesthetist at your hospital in a professional and formal manner telling them a little about yourself they should be willing to expose you to their work... as long as the anesthesiologist don't have a problem with it. The CRNA I shadowed was nice enough to write me letters of recommendation so I guess he made mention of it in his letter which was verification enough I guess, but they might very well call your references for supportive proof if they feel it needed, so you never know.

Hope that story and advice helps.

Do you think you can give me the contact info of the crna you shadowed? I would like to shadow him for my senior project..thanks i appreciate it :)

I contacted a CRNA that I knew and was able to shadow for 1 day in the OR. It was a great experience, I was able to observe 2 OR cases- 1st case used spinal anesthesia & 2nd case used general anesthesia, both were done by the CRNA. I mostly observed and just asked whatever questions came to mind. The CRNA didn't ask me questions or expected me to know what she was doing, so it's not like you have to prepare or read beforehand. With both cases I was able to see start to finish- from the pre-op assessment all the way to giving report in the PACU. I only shadowed for 1 day because I felt that my experience gave me a good general idea of what I needed to know about CRNAs.

Most CRNA programs/schools don't require a shadow experience to apply, but they highly recommend it. The schools I applied to asked me during my interview if I shadowed a CRNA and if I know what they do, so it was a good thing that I was able to talk about my brief shadow experience. It will also make you stand out as a candidate that you made the effort observe and see how CRNAs practice. So try you best to contact a CRNA or even MD anesthesiologist to shadow with at the hospital you work at, I'm sure you'll have a great learning experience as well. Good luck!

Do you think you can give me the contact info of the crna you shadowed? I would like to shadow him for my senior project..thanks i appreciate it :)

I was asked about my shadow experience at every single interview I went to. I highly recommend shadowing a CRNA (instead of an MD). I was asked about specific types of cases I had seen. Thankfully one of the CRNAs I shadowed was really excited I was applying to the school he graduated from, and he offered to write me a recommendation letter on the spot. I also recommend having a recommendation letter from a CRNA.

That being said, I had a difficult time getting into the OR to shadow. I found a lot of dead end paths. I met a CRNA who said she'd let me shadow (I asked her during a bedside report in the ICU) and she never responded to my email. One of the nursing educators tried to get me in touch with someone (oddly the same woman as before) and that was a dead end. I talked with my manager who said he'd get me in contact with the OR manager, and that never happened.

So, I called up a friend who was friends with an anesthesia resident. He emailed a director for me and he actually wrote me back and invited me in. He was really really friendly and spent two days bouncing me around in several ORs so I could see a variety of methods/airways/cases. I felt I was missing a really big open heart case, so after another dead-end, I finally just asked the surgeon if I could watch a case. I showed up early in the OR that morning, and after a lot of confusion, someone finally agreed to let me in. I was with an anesthesia resident and attending, but at least was able to see a large open heart case. It was a very awesome experience and did prepare me for that question in the interview.

But, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. It took me probably 4 months to get it all done.

Do you think you can give me the contact info of the crna you shadowed? I would like to shadow him for my senior project..thanks i appreciate it :)

Hi Everyone,

I am nursing student and want to be CRNA. I want to know how much GRE score is competitive and how can I shadow with CRNA? It is difficult to look for a CRNA.

Hi Everyone,

I am nursing student and want to be CRNA. I want to know how much GRE score is competitive and how can I shadow with CRNA? It is difficult to look for a CRNA.

Each program is different as far as the GRE. Have you tried looking at the hospital where you are doing your clinical?

Is there anyone here who knows any CRNAs in New York and who would be willing to allow me to shadow them? Sounds like i'm shooting an arrow in the dark but I would at least like to try. Thanks