To shadow a CRNA, start with your own hospital's anesthesia department, then try CRNAs you know, your state nurse anesthesia association and local programs. About a third of accredited programs require shadowing, and many more recommend it, so plan for it early.
This guide covers how many programs require it, how to set it up, what to ask and how to record your hours.
How many programs require shadowing?
Everything CRNA's School Finder data (October 2026) shows the following policies across the 154 accredited programs:
| Shadowing policy | Programs |
|---|---|
| Required (no set hours listed) | 23 |
| Required: 8 hours | 11 |
| Required: 1 day | 8 |
| Required: 16 hours | 3 |
| Required: 40 hours | 3 |
| Recommended | 14 |
| Not required | 66 |
| Not stated or other | 26 |
That is at least 48 programs that require shadowing in some form, and 14 more that recommend it. Some programs ask you to use their own form signed by the CRNA. Policies change, so confirm on each program's site.
If you want to skip it, see our list of CRNA schools that don't require shadowing. Shadowing still helps your essay and interview, even where it's optional.
Why shadowing matters
Shadowing shows a committee you know what the job involves. It also tests your own interest before you commit three years and a large sum of money.
It gives you real material for your personal statement and your interview. It can also lead to a reference if a CRNA gets to know you well.
How to find a CRNA to shadow
1. Start inside your own hospital
This is the easiest route. Ask your manager or unit educator who to contact in anesthesia. Then email the chief CRNA or anesthesia department manager with a short, professional request.
You can also introduce yourself to CRNAs who come to your ICU, for example for intubations or line placements.
2. Use people you already know
Ask nursing school classmates, former coworkers and ICU colleagues who left for CRNA school. Current students and new graduates often remember how hard this step was and are happy to help.
3. Contact your state association
Many state nurse anesthesia associations have student or prospective-student contacts. Look up your state's association and ask whether they can connect you with a CRNA.
4. Try programs and other settings
Some programs host open houses or can suggest clinical sites. Surgery centers, outpatient centers and offices of dentists or oral surgeons also employ CRNAs, and smaller sites may have less paperwork.
What to write in your request
Keep it short:
- who you are and where you work in critical care
- that you are applying to nurse anesthesia programs
- what you are asking for (one shadow day, or a set number of hours)
- your flexibility on dates
- that you'll complete any paperwork the facility needs
Paperwork to expect
Hospitals and surgery centers usually have their own rules for observers. You may be asked for proof of immunizations, a confidentiality or privacy agreement, a badge or an orientation module. Start this early, because approval can take weeks.
Follow the facility's dress code and privacy rules exactly. Never take photos or notes that identify patients.
How to make the most of the day
Arrive early, introduce yourself to the team and stay out of the sterile field. Follow the CRNA's lead on when to ask questions. Quiet moments in the case, or between cases, are usually best.
Questions to ask
- What does a typical day look like here?
- How is the anesthesia care team set up in this facility?
- What do you wish you'd known before CRNA school?
- What made the biggest difference in your clinical training?
- How did you choose your program?
- What surprised you most in your first year of practice?
- How do you handle a case that's going badly?
Watch how the CRNA prepares the room, checks equipment, talks to the patient before surgery, and hands off care afterward. Those details make your essay specific.
How to log your hours
Keep your own record even if a program has a form. For each session, note:
- date and facility
- start and end time, and total hours
- CRNA's name, credentials and contact details
- types of cases you observed, in general terms only
- what you learned or found surprising
Ask the CRNA to sign the program's form on the day, while it's fresh. If you're applying to several programs with different forms, bring copies of each. Our free application checklist has a shadowing log section.
Can you shadow an anesthesiologist instead?
It can be useful, but it doesn't replace shadowing a CRNA. Programs that require shadowing usually specify a CRNA. If you are unsure, ask the program before you book.
After you shadow
Send the CRNA a thank-you note within a day or two. If you connected well, ask whether you could shadow again, or whether they would consider writing a reference later. See our letters of recommendation guide.
FAQ
How many shadowing hours do I need for CRNA school?
It depends on the program. Among programs that list a number in our data, 8 hours and one full day are the most common. A few ask for 16 or 40 hours.
Can I shadow a CRNA as a nursing student?
Some facilities allow it and some don't. Many programs want recent shadowing, so check whether they set a time limit.
Does a virtual shadowing session count?
Check with each program. Most requirements refer to in-person observation, often documented on their own form.
Is shadowing more than the minimum worth it?
It can help, especially in different settings such as a hospital and a surgery center. Extra hours are worth less than strong ICU experience and grades, so keep your priorities balanced.
Sources
- Everything CRNA's School Finder data (October 2026), compiled from program websites and admissions offices. Download the School Finder spreadsheet.
- COA List of Accredited Educational Programs (July 8, 2026)