What began as a pre-med journey toward orthopedic surgery took an unexpected turn when Sally Hoang, CAA discovered the immediate impact and work-life balance offered by a career in anesthesia care.

With remarkable candor, Sally Hoang walks us through her typical 16-hour shift—from arriving at 6:30 AM to set up medications and equipment, to meeting patients in pre-op, to the collaborative dance of putting patients to sleep alongside attending anesthesiologists. Her descriptions paint a vivid picture of a profession that combines technical precision with human connection during patients' most vulnerable moments.

The conversation reveals surprising aspects of the CAA profession that make it uniquely appealing: the ability to work across all surgical specialties, from vascular to neurosurgery; the introvert-friendly environment where you can choose your level of social interaction; and the luxury of actually leaving work at work—something increasingly rare in healthcare. Sally shares breathtaking moments from her career, including an emergency case where her team administered an astounding 87 units of blood to save a patient's life during an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

For pre-health students considering their options, Sally offers thoughtful perspective on why she chose the CAA path over becoming an anesthesiologist or CRNA. The 2.5-year master's program offered a faster route to practice high-level medicine with immediate impact, without sacrificing personal interests and balanced living. Through her social media channels, she's now helping others discover this rewarding career path that combines autonomy, teamwork, and meaningful patient care.

Whether you're exploring healthcare careers or simply curious about what happens while you're under anesthesia, this episode provides rare insight into the professionals keeping watch over your vital signs and ensuring your safety when you're at your most vulnerable. Join us for this eye-opening conversation about finding fulfillment in medicine without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Follow @anesthesiasal across all social platforms and visit her YouTube page for more!

Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. At Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and secure your place in medicine.

Check out our pre-health resources. Great for pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, pre-therapy students or anyone else with an upcoming interview!
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