In this episode, Tiffany and Adrienne walk through shadowing from two pre-AA perspectives: how they found anesthesia observation hours, where to look, how to frame a request that gets a "yes," and how to show up once you're in the room.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:52 — The shadowing question that shows up constantly in pre-AA spaces

01:42 — 24 jurisdictions: why this is a structural access gap, not a personal failure

03:03 — Where to look first: hospitals, volunteer offices, and your state AA board

03:51 — AA programs that facilitate shadowing + the info-session pro tip

04:26 — Shadowing other anesthesia providers (MD/DO, CRNA): not a consolation prize

05:20 — Networking shadowing at the AAAA Conference

05:53 — The four things to confirm before you send a single email

06:32 — Building a prep kit so you can reply fast when someone says yes

08:12 — Read this before day one: Anesthesia Made Easy

09:57 — No responses for months: what to do next

10:54 — Teaching hospitals, the Department of Anesthesiology, and matching their language

12:13 — Why ambulatory surgery centers are underrated

12:53 — Using LinkedIn the right way

14:08 — Shadowing vs. clinical experience: the distinction that matters

17:01 — The 5-part structured request framework

18:46 — A sample shadowing email, start to finish

20:50 — The frustrated "please let me shadow" post, said with empathy

23:05 — The travel reality of a regionalized profession

25:01 — OR etiquette: don't touch anything blue

26:31 — Sarah Whitfield's shadowing prep guide on body language

27:32 — Asking specific questions that get real answers

28:27 — Why you forget the details within 48 hours, and what to do about it

29:17 — Contact info, signed forms, and the 24-hour thank-you email

29:51 — Key takeaways

31:58 — Next time: volunteering in the pre-AA context

RESOURCES MENTIONED

- Anesthesia Made Easy by Jeff Steiner — a digestible first pass on induction, maintenance, emergence, medications, and monitoring.

- Sarah Whitfield's Shadowing Prep Guide — practicing CAA at AspiringCAA.com, on shadowing etiquette and body language.

- AAAA Conference — covered in earlier Pre-AA Pathways episodes; an in-person route to shadowing connections.

- Episode 7 (All Things Clinical Experience) — the deeper breakdown of shadowing vs. clinical experience vs. patient care experience.

CONNECT WITH US

Sent a shadowing request that went nowhere? Run it against the 5-part framework and DM us what you'd change — we read everything. And tell us the state you're applying from.

Instagram: @PreAAPathways

TikTok: @PreAAPathways

YouTube: @PreAAPathways

Web: preaapathways.com

COMING UP NEXT — EPISODE 9

Volunteering in the pre-AA context: what it actually looks like, how it's distinct from clinical experience and shadowing, and why programs keep mentioning it.

DISCLAIMER

Both hosts are pre-AA applicants in the current CASAA cycle, not program-accepted CAAs. Nothing in this episode is application advice, admissions guidance, or a guarantee of outcomes. Logistical details should be verified directly with the source. Pre-AA Pathways is not affiliated with CASAA, AAAA, any AA program, or CAAHEP.

Pre-AA Pathways — Turning ambition into admission.

Music Attribution: QL9LXCGP5Y9BUTTD