Most CRNA programs expect you to shadow a practicing nurse anesthetist before you apply, and some explicitly require it. Johns Hopkins, for example, requires a preferred minimum of 8 hours of CRNA shadowing as part of its DNP Nurse Anesthesia application. The process of setting up that experience isn’t complicated, but it does involve navigating hospital bureaucracy, finding a willing CRNA, and handling paperwork correctly so the hours actually count.
Where to Find a CRNA to Shadow
Start where you already work. If your hospital has an anesthesia department, that’s the most direct path. Contact the department and ask about their process for arranging a shadow day. As one Emory University admissions advisor put it, “Find the anesthesia department in the facility that you work at. They will help find you a shadowing experience. You have to fill out a small form.” Working at the same facility eliminates many of the credentialing hurdles that slow outside visitors down.
If your hospital doesn’t have CRNAs on staff, or if scheduling doesn’t work out, try your state association of nurse anesthetists. Ohio’s state association, for instance, runs an outreach committee that connects ICU RNs with volunteer CRNAs willing to host shadow experiences. Many other states offer similar programs, though availability varies and demand is high. Search for your state’s nurse anesthetist association website and look for a shadowing or mentorship page.
Two other routes worth pursuing: the DNAP Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program pairs aspiring CRNAs with mentors who can help arrange shadowing, and LinkedIn can be surprisingly effective. Search for CRNAs in your area, look for those who mention mentorship or education in their profiles, and send a brief, professional message. Keep it to three or four sentences explaining that you’re an ICU RN preparing for CRNA school applications and would appreciate the chance to observe for a day. Most CRNAs remember being in your position and are willing to help if their facility allows it.
Administrative Hoops to Clear First
Hospitals treat shadowing as a formal visit, not a casual favor. Before you set foot in an operating room, expect to complete several administrative requirements that can take days or even weeks to process. Getting these done early prevents a frustrating last-minute scramble.
The most common requirements include:
- Immunization records: Proof of MMR, varicella (or documented history of chicken pox), tetanus/diphtheria, and tuberculosis screening.
- HIPAA training: Either a certificate from your own employer’s training or completion of the hosting facility’s privacy module. You’ll be in rooms where patients are under anesthesia and unable to consent in real time, so hospitals take this seriously.
- Confidentiality agreement: A signed document stating you won’t share any patient information you encounter.
- Code of conduct agreement: A form acknowledging you understand the behavioral expectations for observers in clinical areas.
- Background check: Some facilities require this even if you’re a licensed RN with an active background check through your employer.
Contact the hosting facility’s education or volunteer services department as soon as you have a CRNA willing to let you shadow. They’ll tell you exactly which forms to complete and how far in advance you need to submit them. Don’t assume your current hospital’s credentials will transfer automatically.
What to Wear and Bring
Operating rooms have strict dress codes. You’ll wear scrubs, closed-toe shoes, and minimal jewelry. Your hair needs to be tied back. Most hospitals require you to wear their facility-issued scrubs rather than your own. At UNC’s anesthesiology department, for example, shadowers use scrubs from the hospital’s scrub machines in the locker rooms and return them at the end of the day. If you get cold easily, ask for a hospital-issued scrub jacket. Long sleeves from personal clothing can’t be visible underneath OR scrubs.
Bring a small notepad and pen. Leave your phone in a locker unless the CRNA specifically says otherwise. Some facilities prohibit personal electronics in the OR entirely. A watch is useful for tracking case times and your total hours.
What You Can and Can’t Do
Shadowing is strictly observation. You won’t touch patients, handle equipment, administer medications, or assist with any clinical task. You’re there to watch, listen, and learn. The CRNA you’re shadowing is responsible for you the entire time, so stay close and follow their lead on where to stand, when to move, and when to step out of the room.
That said, observation in the OR is remarkably educational. You’ll see intubations, arterial line placements, medication titration, and the constant decision-making that defines anesthesia practice. Between cases, most CRNAs are happy to explain what they did and why. This is where the real learning happens, so come prepared with thoughtful questions about their clinical reasoning, not just the mechanics of what you saw.
You’ll also see things that are relevant to your application essays and interviews. Pay attention to how the CRNA communicates with surgeons, how they respond to unexpected changes in vital signs, and how they manage the transition from induction to maintenance to emergence. These details make your personal statement specific and credible rather than generic.
How Many Hours You Need
Requirements vary by program. Johns Hopkins asks for a preferred minimum of 8 hours, which translates to roughly one full day in the OR. Other programs may ask for more, and some don’t specify a number but strongly recommend the experience. Check every program on your application list before you schedule your shadow days so you can meet the highest requirement in one round of effort rather than going back for more hours later.
Even if a program doesn’t mandate shadowing, doing it strengthens your application. Admissions committees want evidence that you understand what a CRNA actually does, not just what you’ve read about the role online. Shadowing also helps you answer interview questions with firsthand observations instead of hypotheticals.
Documenting Your Hours
Many CRNA programs provide their own shadow log forms. Johns Hopkins, for example, has a downloadable PDF where you record the date, facility, hours, and the CRNA’s information. If a program doesn’t provide a form, create a simple log that includes the date of each session, the facility name and address, the total hours observed, and the supervising CRNA’s name and credentials. Ask the CRNA to sign your log at the end of each day while you’re still there. Tracking down signatures after the fact is difficult and sometimes impossible.
Keep a personal journal alongside your official log. Write down specific cases you observed, what stood out to you, and questions that came up. This isn’t a program requirement, but it becomes invaluable when you’re writing application essays or preparing for interviews months later. Details fade quickly, and the difference between “I shadowed a CRNA and enjoyed it” and “I watched a CRNA manage a difficult airway in a patient with severe sleep apnea” is the difference between a forgettable essay and a compelling one.
Making the Most of Your Time
Arrive early. Introduce yourself to everyone in the room, including the circulating nurse, the surgical tech, and the surgeon. Be polite, stay out of the way, and don’t touch anything on the sterile field. These seem like obvious points, but operating rooms are high-stakes environments where small missteps create real problems.
Ask your CRNA when it’s appropriate to ask questions. Some prefer to talk between cases, others narrate what they’re doing in real time during lower-intensity moments. Follow their cue. Good questions to have ready include what surprised them most about the profession, what they wish they’d known before starting school, and what qualities they think make a strong CRNA student. These conversations often lead to advice you won’t find in any forum post, and they sometimes turn into mentorship relationships that last through your application process and beyond.
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. If the CRNA gave you a business card, use that address. Keep it brief: thank them for their time, mention one specific thing you learned, and let them know you appreciate the opportunity. This small gesture keeps the door open for follow-up questions and, potentially, a reference down the line.