Every time a CRNA sets up a table in a high school gymnasium or a college fair hall, something quietly powerful happens. A student who may have never met a nurse anesthetist, who may not even know the profession exists, suddenly sees one. That single conversation can be the moment a future career begins.
The best ambassadors for our profession aren't the most polished public speakers. They're the ones who show up prepared and present. This guide is here to take the guesswork out of the day so you can do what you already do well: connect with people and talk about work you love.
Why Your Presence Matters More Than You Think
OSANA participates in career fairs to raise awareness of the nurse anesthesia profession and to highlight nursing as a meaningful, high-impact career path. That mission sounds big, but it’s really very simple: you are putting a face to the profession early, while students are still deciding who they want to become.
You're representing OSANA and the broader CRNA community, but you're not there to recruit, sell, or counsel. Your job is to educate, spark curiosity, and share your experience in a way that feels human and age-appropriate. The pressure you may be putting on yourself to "get it right" is far higher than the bar a curious 16-year-old is setting. They mostly want to know that someone like you exists, that the work is interesting, and that there's a path they could follow.
You're More Ready Than You Feel
A few reassurances before the day arrives:
You already know more than you'll ever need. Years of clinical experience mean you can answer almost anything a student asks off the top of your head.
You don't have to fill the silence. Some students will walk up bursting with questions. Others will hover shyly at the edge of your table. Both are fine. A warm "What brings you over here?" does more work than any prepared speech.
There are no wrong questions and no wrong answers. When a student asks something you're not sure how to answer, "That's a great question, let me point you to a resource that explains it well" is a perfectly professional response.
Your enthusiasm is the whole message. Students remember how you made them feel about the profession far longer than they remember any fact. If you enjoy your work and let that show, you've already succeeded.
What to Wear
Aim for professional, comfortable, and approachable: the sweet spot where students take you seriously but still feel they can talk to you.
- Scrubs with a white coat (with OSANA/AANA branding if you have it) make an instant, recognizable impression
- Business casual attire is a great alternative
- Comfortable shoes, since these events often mean hours on your feet
- A name badge, if one is available
The goal is to look the part while staying relatable.
What to Bring
Pack light but pack with purpose. A small, organized kit goes a long way.
- OSANA / AANA materials
- AANA PowerPoint, if you'll be presenting or have it loaded on a device
- AANA Fast Facts or PDF handouts
- OSANA postcards or handouts with a QR code; these do the heavy lifting after you've moved on to the next student
- Business cards (optional, at your discretion)
Helpful extras
- A few photos on your phone or tablet of your work environment, since visuals draw students in faster than words
- A small notebook to jot down questions, names, or ideas to share with the committee later
How to Talk About Being a CRNA
Keep it simple, engaging, and tuned to a high school audience. A few easy frames:
- What a CRNA is and where CRNAs work
- What you enjoy most about your job
- A brief example of a typical workday
- Why nursing is such a strong foundation for advanced practice roles
And a couple of topics to avoid: skip the heavy medical or technical jargon and avoid graphic or detailed clinical scenarios. You want students leaning in with curiosity, not wide-eyed for the wrong reasons.
Questions You'll Almost Certainly Hear
Students tend to ask the same handful of things. Having a prepared answer takes the pressure off:
- "How long does it take to become a CRNA?"
- "Do you have to be good at science or math?"
- "What kind of nurse do you have to be first?"
- "Is nursing a good career choice?"
Answer honestly and aim to encourage exploration rather than perfection. A student who walks away thinking, "Maybe I could do this," is a win, even if their path looks nothing like yours did.
Key Talking Points Worth Emphasizing
If you remember nothing else, these are the threads worth weaving into conversations:
- CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses
- ICU experience is required before CRNA training
- There are many paths into nursing and anesthesia, and there's no single "right" one
- Mentorship and professional involvement matter
- Nursing offers flexibility, growth, and long-term career options
Working the Table
A little energy at the table goes a long way:
- Open with curiosity by asking what interests them about healthcare or science
- Encourage questions, and treat every question as a good one
- Use your materials and QR codes to send students to OSANA and AANA resources they can explore on their own time
- Frame the path realistically: explore nursing first, with anesthesia as a future option
Know Where Your Role Ends: Boundaries
Part of enjoying the day is knowing what your job isn't. You're not expected to provide individualized career counseling, and it's best to avoid promising shadowing opportunities on the spot. When a student is especially interested, the most helpful thing you can do is point them toward OSANA resources. That keeps your conversation generous without overcommitting you or the organization.
Photos and Social Media
Outreach moments are wonderful to capture and share, but schools set the rules here. Before you take photos or post anything, ask the school about its photo policy and follow its guidance on posting or tagging, especially anything involving students. When in doubt, leave it out.
After the Event
The work doesn't quite end when you pack up your table:
- Share brief feedback with OSANA if it's requested; on-the-ground observations help the committee improve
- Let the committee know if you'd be open to future outreach opportunities
- Thank the school staff for hosting and for championing healthcare careers
That last one matters more than it seems. A gracious thank you keeps the door open for OSANA to come back next year.
Your Day-of Quick Checklist
Print this, screenshot it, or keep it open on your phone.
Before you go
☐ Confirm event location, time, and parking
☐ Review your OSANA/AANA materials
☐ Plan professional, comfortable attire (scrubs + white coat or business casual)
☐ Pack comfortable shoes and your name badge
Bring with you
☐ OSANA handouts / postcards with QR codes
☐ AANA Fast Facts or PDF handouts
☐ AANA PowerPoint loaded on a device (if presenting)
☐ Business cards (optional)
☐ Phone or tablet with photos of your work environment
☐ A small notebook for questions and notes
During the event
☐ Introduce yourself as a CRNA
☐ Keep explanations clear, simple, and age-appropriate
☐ Encourage curiosity and questions, with no jargon and no graphic clinical detail
☐ Hit your key talking points naturally
☐ Direct interested students to OSANA/AANA resources
Photos and posting
☐ Confirm the school's photo and social media policies
☐ Don't post student photos without permission
After
☐ Share feedback with OSANA if requested
☐ Let the committee know if you're open to future outreach
☐ Thank the school staff for hosting
You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be prepared, which you already are. Walk in, set up your table, and let your experience do the rest. The profession is in good hands when CRNAs like you are willing to show up for the next generation.
Interested in joining OSANA's outreach efforts? Reach out to the committee; we'd love to have you at the table.
