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
