Editor’s Note: National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Week 2022 is Sunday, January 23, through Saturday, January 29. To celebrate, the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology is featuring stories from our outstanding CRNA team.
A college accounting class might seem like the unlikeliest place to make a career change. But for Zach Schiffbauer, CRNA, the class provided him with the epiphany he needed to make the move of a lifetime.
“I had always really enjoyed health and science courses. That semester, my mom recommended that I shadow a CRNA that worked with her in the emergency room, before they went to anesthesia school,” Schiffbauer said. “I went to the outpatient surgical center where they worked, and I was amazed by anesthesia—from preoperative nerve blocks to the technology in the OR, everything.” Captivated, he set a new goal: become a CRNA.
Following his education at UNL in biological sciences and his training in UNMC’s accelerated nursing program, Schiffbauer started at Bergan Mercy Medical Center as an RN. While there, he worked in multiple care units, including the CVICU, progressive care unit, and medical/surgical ICU. It was a truly comprehensive foundation for his career in nursing.
Family was just one motivating factor for Schiffbauer. His parents inspired him to enter healthcare, as they each worked in healthcare roles for 35 years. Schiffbauer’s mother worked as a registered nurse at Bergan Mercy, while his father worked as a respiratory therapist at CHI Health in Omaha.
“They have selflessly dedicated their lives to helping others and their community,” Schiffbauer said. “I like to think of myself as a combination of both of my parents. I got the best of both worlds by entering nurse anesthesia.”
Schiffbauer began his role as a nurse anesthetist at Nebraska Medicine in 2013.
“I chose Nebraska Medicine because it is the premier healthcare system in the region. We care for the most vulnerable patients at the most vulnerable times in their lives. This has been my calling and life mission to take care of those who are the most in need,” he said. “What I hope and pray for every night is that I make a positive difference, big or small, for everyone I see throughout the day. I pray that I can help people through their most vulnerable moments.”
A true team player, Schiffbauer feels most like a hero when he can support other CRNAs, whether that means someone can take a break or go home for the night.
“Since day one, Zach has stood out as an exceptionally hard worker,” said Tiffany Olson, associate director of nurse anesthesia. “He comes to work every day ready to provide excellent anesthesia care to his patients. His teamwork mentality elevates his colleagues as he is always willing to lend a helping hand to the team.”
“Zach works at many of our surgical locations, and he’s an asset to covering for the team at each location,” said Tim Glidden, director of nurse anesthesia. “He possesses an incredible work ethic and a positive attitude that is recognized by all his colleagues.”
Schiffbauer said he is proud of all the CRNAs he works with and thinks of them as a second family. “I am proud of the high quality and safe patient care that all the CRNAs deliver on a daily basis,” he said. “I am proud of the willingness of every CRNA to help at the drop of a dime, even when faced with challenging times.”
Since the beginning of his career, Schiffbauer has maintained his spark for patient care and service. Every workday is a new challenge he looks forward to overcoming, an experience he is grateful to share with nurses-in-training, too.
“You have to be adaptable and ready to react to any situation that may arise. I also really enjoy being able to mentor and teach resident student nurse anesthetists throughout the year. I am a lifelong learner, so being able to teach and mentor keeps me on my toes and keeps anesthesia fresh in my mind,” Schiffbauer said.
“Zach is an excellent mentor and teacher to our SRNAs,” Glidden said.
When he’s not at work, Schiffbauer is playing with, chasing, and reading to his kids or completing projects around the house. Schiffbauer and wife Jenna have two kids, Mason and Olivia. He is a die-hard Husker fan (though Schiffbauer admits it has been hard to watch the past few years…) and enjoys spending time outdoors, where he occasionally hunts turkeys and deer.