Episode 8: Pre-AA Perspectives on Shadowing an Anesthesiologist Assistant

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 EPISODE00:52 — The shadowing question that shows up constantly in pre-AA spaces01:42 — 24 jurisdictions: why this is a structural access gap, not a personal failure03:03 — Where to look first: hospitals, volunteer offices, and your state AA board03:51 — AA programs that facilitate shadowing + the info-session pro tip04:26 — Shadowing other anesthesia providers (MD/DO, CRNA): not a consolation prize05:20 — Networking shadowing at the AAAA Conference05:53 — The four things to confirm before you send a single email06:32 — Building a prep kit so you can reply fast when someone says yes08:12 — Read this before day one: Anesthesia Made Easy09:57 — No responses for months: what to do next10:54 — Teaching hospitals, the Department of Anesthesiology, and matching their language12:13 — Why ambulatory surgery centers are underrated12:53 — Using LinkedIn the right way14:08 — Shadowing vs. clinical experience: the distinction that matters17:01 — The 5-part structured request framework18:46 — A sample shadowing email, start to finish20:50 — The frustrated "please let me shadow" post, said with empathy23:05 — The travel reality of a regionalized profession25:01 — OR etiquette: don't touch anything blue26:31 — Sarah Whitfield's shadowing prep guide on body language27:32 — Asking specific questions that get real answers28:27 — Why you forget the details within 48 hours, and what to do about it29:17 — Contact info, signed forms, and the 24-hour thank-you email29:51 — Key takeaways31:58 — Next time: volunteering in the pre-AA contextRESOURCES 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 USSent 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: @PreAAPathwaysTikTok: @PreAAPathwaysYouTube: @PreAAPathwaysWeb: preaapathways.comCOMING UP NEXT — EPISODE 9Volunteering 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.DISCLAIMERBoth 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