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How should I find job shadowing opportunities for nursing in general and more specifically nurse anesthetists. ?
I am a high school senior and I am planning on becoming a nurse anesthetist. I would like to shadow someone so that I am sure I actually like what the job entails.
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3 answers
Sasha DaSilva - Stillwagon
Neonatal & Pediatric Critical Care Tranaport
3
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Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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Sasha’s Answer
I think it’s great that you want to be a nurse-anesthetist, but I would advise you to make sure you actually want to be a nurse before trying to find shadow opportunities for an advanced position, which depending on the school may require 3-5 years of critical care or ER experience to apply. That can be a long time if you’re not happy. I would suggest getting your EMT or CNA to get a good first hand look at the reality of nursing. The good thing about nursing is that there are many avenues to take, nurse anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse educator, Midwife, Nursing Faculty to name a few. I was also interested in a similar path, but the 3 years of not being able to work was too much. When I tried to find shadow opportunities I was much more successful when I was working in the hospital as an RN. Shadow opportunities at hospitals are not what they once were, and can be difficult to access depending on where you are. But where there is a will there is a way. Good luck!
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Jo Ann’s Answer
Try directly contacting the HR department at various hospitals, and express your interest. They may have opportunities that are not published, or, if not, could possibly direct you to other resources.
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Danielle’s Answer
That is wonderful that you are thinking ahead so early in your career. I agree with the others that have written on here it is best to first shadow a nurse first and see if this is the field that you truly having a passion for. To become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) you will first need to complete a nursing program that awards a bachelor's in nursing (BSN) and pass NCLEX to get your registered nursing license. After you accomplished that, you need to have some experience working as a nurse with your BSN like ICU/ER/PACU/ & then get your doctorate for that is new requirement by the board to allow nurses to be apply to apply and enroll in CRNA programs. These programs are usually completed in a year or 2 and then you register to take the licensure exam to pass so that you can start your practice.
Best to call HR and inform them of what you want to do for your future career is being a CRNA and if possible to shadow them for a couple of hours or shadow a nurse that works the floor.
Best of luck! :)
Best to call HR and inform them of what you want to do for your future career is being a CRNA and if possible to shadow them for a couple of hours or shadow a nurse that works the floor.
Best of luck! :)